High Algae Levels Mean No Swimming At South Jersey Lake

MAYS LANDING, NJ — There's no swimming at a popular lake beach in South Jersey, at least for now.

Township of Hamilton police said that swimming is banned until further notice at the Cove at Lake Lenape due to algae levels. Beachgoers have not been allowed to swim in the Atlantic County lake since this past Saturday.

However, the beach itself will still remain open, so guests can enjoy the shoreline of the 344-acre lake. Anyone found swimming during the closure could be ticketed, police said.

It's not clear how long the closure will last.

North Jersey's Lake Hopatcong has also recently had some closures, after bloom levels last month were found to be unsafe for swimmers. Read more: Swimming Restricted At Some Lake Hopatcong Beaches, Due To Harmful Algal Blooms

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, these blooms grow quickly and frequently are seen in late summer.

Exposure can result in mild to moderate health effects like rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation and eye irritation. Ingesting water containing this bacteria can result in more serious health effects such as liver toxicity and neurological effects