People urged to stay away from Riverhead pond tainted with a toxic algae

Suffolk County health officials are advising residents and their pets to avoid contact with an East End pond contaminated with a toxic algae known as cyanobacteria.

Stony Brook University biologists confirmed the presence of the blue-green algae in a body of water that runs parallel to Pond Lane in the Riverwoods Mobile Home Community in Riverhead, Suffolk officials said in a news release Friday. Residents are urged to avoid recreational activities in the pond’s waters and keep their children and pets away from the area.

Blue-green algae is naturally present in water bodies, but it can become abundant, forming harmful green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red blooms. It can also produce floating pond scum on the water’s surface or induce a paint-like appearance in the water.

Long Islanders should avoid contact with any waters that appear “scummy or discolored,” Suffolk health officials advised in the release. If such contact occurs, officials recommend rinsing off with clean water immediately. They also advise anyone exposed to cyanobacteria to seek medical attention if they experience skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Riverside marks the 10th body of water Suffolk County health officials closed due to the presence of cyanobacteria blooms this year, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Harmful algae blooms were detected in 26 Suffolk water bodies in 2023, the most ever affected in the county in a single year since the DEC began tracking blooms statewide in 2012.

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, higher water temperatures resulting from climate change “are expected to increase the magnitude and duration” of cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms in freshwater bodies.

To report a suspected blue-green algae bloom at Suffolk County beaches open to swimming, residents can contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Ecology at 631-852-5760 or email scdhsweb@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Algae blooms found at bodies of water not open to bathing can be reported to the DEC at habsinfo@dec.ny.gov.