Harmful Blue-Green Algae Bloom-related Beach Closure Summary
Regulated bathing beaches continue closing their swimming areas more frequently and for longer periods of time during the beach season (Memorial Day-Labor Day) to ensure that people avoid contact with harmful blue-green algae blooms and their toxins. When a harmful blue-green algae bloom is present at a bathing beach, the swim area must be closed to protect public health, regardless if toxins are present, and remain closed until the water is clear and testing confirms toxin levels are below a level of concern.
2023 Summary Data
| County | # Times Beaches Closed | # Beaches Closed | Waterbodies with Beach Closures | # Lost Beach Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broome | 3 | 2 | Whitney Point Reservoir, Greenwood Park Lake | 54 |
| Cattaraugus | 4 | 2 | Red House Lake, Quaker Lake | 20 |
| Cayuga | 2 | 2 | Cayuga Lake | 14 |
| Chautauqua | 7 | 4 | Chautauqua Lake | 80 |
| Dutchess | 2 | 2 | Beekman Park Lake, Wilcox Park Pond | 19 |
| Essex | 4 | 4 | Lake Champlain | 22 |
| Jefferson | 1 | 1 | Lake Ontario | 3 |
| Livingston | 4 | 2 | Conesus Lake | 31 |
| Oneida | 2 | 1 | Delta Lake | 8 |
| Onondaga | 4 | 2 | Jamesville Reservoir, Cross Lake | 50 |
| Ontario | 2 | 1 | Honeoye Lake | 13 |
| Orange | 11 | 2 | Lake Tiorati, Beaver Dam Lake | 47 |
| Otsego | 3 | 3 | Otsego Lake, Canadarago Lake | 39 |
| Putnam | 18 | 14 | Roaring Brook Lake, Putnam Lake, Lake Peekskill, Lake Casse, Lake Carmel, Lake Tonetta, Oscawana Lake | 333 |
| Saratoga | 6 | 1 | Saratoga Lake | 26 |
| Schuyler | 1 | 1 | Cayuta Lake | 9 |
| Seneca | 1 | 1 | Seneca Lake | 2 |
| Tompkins | 4 | 1 | Cayuga Lake | 15 |
| Yates | 4 | 2 | Keuka Lake | 20 |
