By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
TUFTONBORO – There are three new cyanobacteria warnings or watches up for Lake Winnipesaukee this week in Tuftonboro, Alton and Wolfeboro. (still posted 8/23/2024 at 7:30 p.m.)
In addition to the Big Lake there are other new locations reported across the state, including Showell Pond in Sandown.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae is naturally occurring but in high concentrations it can sometimes be toxic and exposure to blooms can harm humans and kill animals.
The state has a website about the growing problem in the state here https://www.des.nh.gov/water/healthy-swimming/harmful-algal-blooms/ and recommends people stay out of the water where the blooms are present.
Since 2009 the state has seen cyanobacteria blooms on 113 surface waters and this year, set a record so far of 69 water bodies impacted.
Scientists believe warming water temperatures, a particularly mild winter without a long period of ice cover and some other factors may be playing into why the state has been having more problems now.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has issued a warning for the Tuftonboro area on Tuesday which is in the same area which had a bloom of a different form or taxa in June.
Also back in the same location though a different form is a watch issued for Wolfeboro’s Jockey Cove area which was identified on Monday.
Another watch is in effect for Alton also issued that day in the Chestnut Cove area.
Lake Ivanhoe in Wakefield, Lake Monomonac in Rindge also had watches posted.
Warnings, which are issued for generalized areas where harmful cyanobacteria blooms have been recently identified, but the whole waterbody may not be simultaneously impacted, are also noted on Province Lake in Effingham and Wakefield, Baboosic Lake in Amherst, Halfmoon Pond in Kingston, Bow Lake in Strafford, Tucker Pond in Salisbury, Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham in addition to warnings for the spots already mentioned on Lake Winnipesaukee and Showell Pond.
Also, the DES is reporting current fecal bacteria advisories for Clough State Park Beach, Corcoran’s Pond Beach, New Castle Town Beach, Wallis Sands State Park Beach, Pirate’s Cove, Cable Beach, Jenness Beach State Park, Bear Brook State Park, and North Hampton State Park Beach.
