Community Corner

State Testing Water At Greenwood Lake Following Algae Bloom

Greenwood Lake is the second North Jersey lake where harmful levels of cyanobacteria have been found, according to a report.

Officials are waiting for testing results from the state regarding the algae bloom at Greenwood Lake.
Officials are waiting for testing results from the state regarding the algae bloom at Greenwood Lake. (Google Maps)

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — The state Department of Environmental Protecting is testing the water at Greenwood Lake after an algae bloom was reported there earlier this week — the latest bloom reported at a New Jersey lake this summer.

The lake is not closed and is open to boating, but the West Milford Health Department closed down three beaches as a precaution until further notice, said Paul Zarrillo, co-chairman of the Greenwood Lake Commission.

The DEP discovered the algae bloom following regular testing of the water July 10, Zarrillo said. It tested the water again July 15 and posted advisories against swimming at a dam site and Browns Point at the southern end of the lake, which are state-owned and operated sites.

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A DEP spokesperson did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

NorthJersey.com reported harmful levels of cyanobacteria were found at Greenwood Lake.

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Zarrillo could not confirm if the algae was cyanobacteria, which has been blooming at several New Jersey swimming sites this summer, including Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey's largest lake. He and West Milford Mayor Michele Dale said they are waiting for the test results from the DEP.

"In the meantime I encourage all residents to avoid contact with the water until further information is available," Dale said, who urged people going boating at the lake to "use caution to avoid contact with water."

The harmful algae blooms happen when cyanobacteria overproduce in a body of water. In the right conditions the bacteria can cause a bloom that's toxic to humans and animals.

Acute illnesses caused by exposure to cyanotoxins can happen, the DEP said. After short-term exposures, the toxins can cause liver and kidney damage. Livestock and pets could be particularly vulnerable, and contact with the water could be fatal to animals.

The Wanaque River flows out of the 7-mile-long Greenwood Lake, which is also a backup reservoir that feeds into the Monksville and Wanaque reservoirs, said Jeff Tittel, executive director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization.

Cyanobacterium has been found at several New Jersey lakes this summer, including Lake Hopatcong, the state's largest, which was blanketed by a thick, green bloom that could pose a season-long problem for lake-goers. It has been shut down for weeks.

The DEP took the unprecedented step of issuing a lake-wide advisory against entering, or even touching, the water there July 1. The Spruce Run Recreation Area in Clifton was shut down for the entire season. The swimming section of Swartwood State Park in Sussex County was also shut down. Lake Mohawk, along with Deal and Sunset lakes in Asbury Park, were also put under advisory weeks ago.

"We’ve never seen algae this bad across the state, and we’re not even in August yet. We’re going to see more beaches and swimming areas closed," said Tittel."This again shows the alarming spread of algae problems around the state. Greenwood Lake is one of our largest recreational lakes, and now people can’t even use it."


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