Harmful algae blooms found in Madison, Oneida counties

One algal bloom was reported and confirmed in Craine Lake in Madison County and another in Oneida County on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake at Verona Beach State Park. With the recent rains and forecast of hot, sunny weather, additional reports of harmful algal-blooms (HABs) in the near future are expected. Residents should avoid swimming, boating, or even just cooling off in waters with any algae.

“These harmful algal blooms are a health hazard and can cause problems for recreation, and potentially for the quality of our drinking water,” says Madison County’s Environmental Health Director Geoffrey Snyder. “Harmful algal blooms may have toxin-producing microscopic organisms harmful to humans and animals if swallowed. At high levels, swallowing water with toxin-producing algae may cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, along with irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract.”

In warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sunlight, the toxic bacteria in algae can grow quickly and easily

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