Stockbridge Bowl off-limits amid potentially toxic algae bloom

A buildup of rust-colored algae in Stockbridge Bowl has prompted warnings to avoid recreational water activities in the lake, casting doubt over the boating portion of the upcoming Josh Billings RunAground triathalon.

STOCKBRIDGE — Stockbridge Bowl is now off-limits to all recreational water activities, including boating and swimming.

That's the recommendation from the state Department of Public Health after testing earlier this week revealed that the recent buildup of rust-colored algae on portions of the state-owned lake contains potentially toxic cyanobacteria.

The announcement from Tri Town Health early Friday extends an advisory already in place for at least two weeks, pending further water testing.

The Stockbridge Board of Health, which reports to Tri Town Health, unanimously decided on Thursday night to adopt the state DPH recommendation, advising people and their pets "to avoid activities that involve contact with the contaminated water," according to a joint statement issued by James Wilusz, executive director of Tri Town Health, and Dr. Charles Kenny, chairman of the town board.

The Board of Health ordered warning signs to be posted around the lake.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that cyanobacteria are frequently found in freshwater systems. Cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater can produce highly potent toxins, the agency's website noted.

The algae bloom on Stockbridge Bowl, first observed late last month, was initially described by state and local health agencies as nontoxic, but that was based on visual inspection rather than the lab testing conducted this week from water samples collected by engineers from Fuss & O'Neil for the state DPH. The regional civil and environmental engineering consulting firm has an office in Springfield.

The state agency will conduct more testing when the visible algae disappears, the Tri Town Health statement noted. The advisory against recreational water activities will be lifted when results of water samples from two consecutive weeks of testing are acceptable.

On Aug. 31, Tri Town Health, which covers Stockbridge, Lee and Lenox, issued a public health advisory stating that swimming and boating was not advisable until the results of the state tests were available. Drinking of lake water was "extremely discouraged," the advisory pointed out.

Stockbridge Town Administrator Danielle Fillio sent out a robocall to all residents last Friday relaying the health advisory.

"Any swimming or boating done at this time is at your own risk," Tri Town Health cautioned in last week's advisory.

Nevertheless, swimmers and boaters were observed on the lake over the Labor Day holiday weekend and as recently as Thursday.

Fillio's statement described the DPH recommendation as precautionary advice "not to swim and to limit water contact with the areas where the algae is located, until laboratory testing results are obtained. The discoloration of water and lack of clarity presents swimmer safety issues."

On Aug. 29, the state Department of Environmental Protection's emergency response team had taken photos of the algae bloom but could not obtain a sample.

Based on the visual evidence, the state Department of Public Health and the Department of Conservation and Recreation had concluded that the discoloration was not cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) associated with typical toxic blooms. But the agencies advised swimmers to keep away from visible scums and discouraged drinking of any lake water.

Now, based on water sample analysis, the potential health risks have yielded a stepped-up warning, casting the scheduled boating segment of the annual Josh Billings RunAground on Sept. 16 into doubt as possible alternate locations are discussed by the triathlon's executive committee.

Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com, on Twitter @BE_cfanto or at 413-637-2551.