Summer just started and, sadly, one of our popular swimming destinations has already been shut down. Swartswood Lake is the crown jewel of Swartswood State Park (New Jersey’s first state park) and, until the other day, it offered opportunities for fishing, boating and swimming. Now, the lake has been temporarily closed.

The 520-acre glacial like is currently experiencing Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms.

Flickr/Bogdan Migulski Because of this, the lake has been closed for public safety until further notice. The algae is a naturally occurring microorganism, but it has reached unsafe amounts. The algae cell count is reportedly 39 times larger than the mandated threshold of algae permissible according to the New Jersey Health Advisory Guidance. Events on the lake including fishing and boating tournaments have been cancelled.

Exposure to the algae can cause a skin rash, or worse.

Flickr/Bharat Balasubramanian Even limited contact with the water can cause a painful skin rash. More severe symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting and nausea, dry cough, diarrhea, blistering around the mouth and pneumonia. The algae affects both humans and animals, so please keep your pets away from the water.

The situation is being closely monitored.

Flickr/Bogdan Migulski Currently, the algae appears to be widespread. It is most visible in the coves where there is little to no moving water. Eradicating the algae is difficult, as it tends to release additional toxins when tampered with. However, it dissipates on its own naturally over time.

While we wait for the algae to consume excess nutrients and die out, officials are encouraging locals to visit nearby lakes.

Wikipedia/Jack The Vicar Lake Marcia in High Point State Park is unaffected and still open to the public. The DEP is currently investigating what caused the bloom, believed to be the first documented bloom of Microcystin-LR Anabaena in any state-owned lake.

Don’t let this set your summer fun back! For other lakes in New Jersey, check out this list: 10 Amazing Lake Trips You Need To Take In New Jersey This Summer. For more swimming spots and hidden beaches, check out this list: 10 Little Known Beaches in New Jersey That’ll Make Your Summer Unforgettable.

Flickr/Bogdan Migulski

Because of this, the lake has been closed for public safety until further notice. The algae is a naturally occurring microorganism, but it has reached unsafe amounts. The algae cell count is reportedly 39 times larger than the mandated threshold of algae permissible according to the New Jersey Health Advisory Guidance. Events on the lake including fishing and boating tournaments have been cancelled.

Flickr/Bharat Balasubramanian

Even limited contact with the water can cause a painful skin rash. More severe symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting and nausea, dry cough, diarrhea, blistering around the mouth and pneumonia. The algae affects both humans and animals, so please keep your pets away from the water.

Currently, the algae appears to be widespread. It is most visible in the coves where there is little to no moving water. Eradicating the algae is difficult, as it tends to release additional toxins when tampered with. However, it dissipates on its own naturally over time.

Wikipedia/Jack The Vicar

Lake Marcia in High Point State Park is unaffected and still open to the public. The DEP is currently investigating what caused the bloom, believed to be the first documented bloom of Microcystin-LR Anabaena in any state-owned lake.

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