Lake Welch Beach Closed for Treatment of Harmful Algal Bloom

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Lake Welch Beach and Picnic Grounds in Harriman State Park is closed through Sunday due to a Harmful Algal Bloom.

Exposure to algae blooms can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms are touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. Exposure to high levels of algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Recreational exposures can occur while swimming, wading, fishing, or boating in areas with HABs.

Visitors should seek alternate locations for swimming and picnicking over the weekend, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission announced.

An algaecide is being applied to Lake Welch to provide targeted treatment and minimize the spread of the bloom. Conditions will be reassessed next week to determine when the beach can reopen, parks officials said.

The HAB at Lake Welch was first observed on Tuesday.

Updates on swimming conditions at Lake Welch will be posted on the website https://parks.ny.gov/parks/lakewelch/details.aspx as well as the mobile app.

Visitors heading to Lake Welch should consider alternate destinations in Harriman State Park or visiting other state parks. A list of swimming options throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond is available at https://parks.ny.gov/recreation/swimming/.

HABs typically occur in areas with warm weather, calm water, and higher levels of nutrients from such things as septic systems and fertilizer, but the exact causes of HABs are unknown and can vary greatly, state officials said.