Community Corner

Algae Bloom Breaks Out in Lower Bolton Lake

Vernon and regional officials sent out an algae bloom advisory on Thursday for Lower Bolton Lake.

VERNON, CT — A blue-green algae bloom has broken out at Lower Bolton Lake, the North Central District Health Department said on Thursday.

The bloom was isolated to Lower Bolton Lake, health officials said.

Middle Bolton lake was not affected, according to an advisory.

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Cell counts registered at 207,000/ml in a Sept. 4 test, health department officials said. That's "significantly higher" than the Connecticut Department of Public Health's 100,000/ml standard, according to a report.

Pets and humans should not swim in Lower Bolton Lake and fishermen and boaters should avoid skin contact with the water, according to the advisory. Fish caught should be released, health officials said.

Find out what's happening in Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the health district's website, the algae can produce a "wide array of neurotoxins, liver toxins, cell toxins and skin irritants."

In "still and warm summer waters," the populations of blue green algae may spike "to the extent that a normally clear surface can become thick and murky. "

The overgrowth is called a “bloom," and blooms are considered harmful .

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel


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