TRENTON (WCBS 880) — New Jersey environmental officials on Friday issued swimming bans at six lakes because of a dangerous algae bloom.
Greenwood Lake – which straddles the state line with New York, stretching from West Milford to Orange County – was closed along with Lake Hopatcong, Spruce Run, Deal Lake, Sunset Lake and Rosedale Lake.
Officials say no one should go in the water because the bacteria can cause a skin rash. If it's swallowed, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and headaches. In extreme cases, people can develop diarrhea and mouth blisters.
The shutdowns come as a heat dome descends on the Tri-State area and people search for ways to beat the sweltering heat.
Greenwood Lake is also a popular fishing location. While fishing in the area should still be safe, fisherman should practice “catch and release and don’t consume any of the fish that are caught in the New Jersey portion of the lake.”
Bruce Friedman, director of the Division of Water Monitoring and Standards, says there have yet to be any reported illnesses.
The scientists have no treatment to fix it, and no estimate on when these toxic blooms will go away.