Swimming is back on at the beach at Kershaw Park in Canandaigua, at least for now.
City officials announced the reopening of the swim area, which had been closed since Aug. 6 because of the presence of blue-green algae.
The swim area was reopened Aug. 12, but today, with the forecast calling for sunny skies and warm temperatures, may see the return of beachgoers in earnest.
Harmful algal blooms are difficult to predict and their locations can change rapidly, water quality experts say. The best bet is to check ahead of time for any changes or reports of harmful algal blooms at https://www.canandaiguanewyork.gov/ or https://www.facebook.com/cityofcanandaigua/.
How to tell the presence of blue-green alage
Avoid playing and swimming in the water if you see the harmful blue-green algae, which looks
like green parallel streaks on the water surface. It can also look like spilled paint or have a pea soup appearance.
Also avoid jet-skiing and tubing through blue-green streaks and blooms because accidental inhalation is also a pathway for ingestion.
Don’t eat fish caught during blooms. Also, keep pets from entering the lake where blooms are present.
For more information on harmful algal blooms on Canandaigua Lake
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association shares bloom reports, along with other information, on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanandaiguaLakeWatershed/ and on its website at https://www.canandaigualakeassoc.org/.
The harmful algal bloom map on the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association site is updated more frequently than the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s map. Check https://www.canandaigualakeassoc.org/.../shoreline-habs.../ for the most current information on Canandaigua Lake.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Kershaw Park beach reopens in Canandaigua after blue-green algae closure
