Toxic Algae Detected In Lake Cochituate, State Says

WAYLAND, MA — State health officials are warning Lake Cochituate users to steer clear of certain parts of the lake due to the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

For the moment, local residents should avoid swimming and boating and keep pets away from the parts of the lake with blue-green algae. Those parts include all water use areas south of Route 9, mostly in Natick, that town's health department said.

The portions of Lake Cochituate State Park in Wayland and Natick were still open as of Wednesday evening, according to the website.

Portions of Lake Cochituate usually close at least once each summer due to toxic algae. Wayland closed the town beach in July 2021 due to toxic algae.

Blue-green algae typically blooms during warm weather and when there are high levels of phosphates in the water. The pea-soup looking blooms can irritate the skin, and can do internal damage to humans and pets if inhaled or swallowed. In rare cases, cyanobacteria can cause organ failure and death.