Lake Ronkonkoma / Southampton, NY - June 17, 2016 - Recent sampling performed by SUNY Stony Brook has confirmed new cyanobacteria blooms, more commonly known as blue–green algae, in Lake Ronkonkoma off Pond Road in the Town of Brookhaven and Mill Pond in Southampton.
Previously reported cyanobacteria blooms in Wickapogue Pond and Wainscott Pond have subsided.
Currently, cyanobacteria blooms exist at the following Suffolk County locations:
- Lake Ronkonkoma (Brookhaven side)
- Mill Pond, Southampton
- Maratooka Pond, Mattituck
- Agawam Lake, Southampton
Due to these findings, health officials ask residents not to use or swim or wade in these waters and to keep their pets and children away from the area. Extra precautions should be taken to avoid direct exposure to waters at the Brookhaven side of Lake Ronkonkoma and Agawam Lake, as levels of cyanobacteria and associated toxins are very high.
Though blue-green algae are naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, they can become abundant, forming blooms mostly typically in shades of green but also in shades of blue-green, yellow, brown or red. They may produce floating scums on the surface of the water or may cause the water to take on paint-like appearance.
Contact with waters that appear scummy or discolored should be avoided. If contact does occur, rinse off with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur after contact: nausea, vomiting or diarrhea; skin, eye or throat irritation, or allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom that is in a body of water that does not contain a Suffolk County permitted bathing beach, contact the Division of Water at New York State DEC: 518-402-8179 between 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m. or anytime via email
To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at a body of water that does contain a Suffolk County-permitted bathing beach, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 between 8:30 – 4:30 or by anytime via email
For a comprehensive list of affected waterbodies in NY State, visit the DEC’s Harmful Algal Bloom Notification Page.
For more information about blue-green algae, visit the Suffolk County website.