Fecal Bacteria Advisories At 2 NH Parks; 5 Under Cyanobacteria Watches

CONCORD, NH — Most of the Granite State’s water bodies and beaches will be safe to swim in this weekend, but seven have bacteria advisories, alerts, and warnings.

The latest healthy swimming mapper, published by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, advised two state parks — Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham and Wellington beach on Newfound Lake in Bristol, both have fecal bacteria advisories. Pawtuckaway was issued on Tuesday and Wellington was issued on Thursday.

Cyanobacteria watches were issued for Pawtuckaway on Monday as well as Jenness Pond in Northwood and Lees Pond in Moultonborough on Tuesday. Cyanobacteria warnings were also issued for Silver Lake in Hollis and Sunset Lake in Alton Monday.

Cyanobacteria are a natural surface scum and blooms on waterbodies all around the world. They are created due to excess nutrients in the water. Exposure to the blooms can make some people violently ill and may cause chronic health issues. Some symptoms from exposure include skin irritation, mucous membrane irritation, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and diarrhea. State officials request people who become sick from cyanobacteria to report it to the state after seeking medical attention.

Warnings, advisories, and watches are issued after the state tests water samples.

The state’s weekly cyanobacteria update noted the advisory for Mill Pond in Alton, issued in mid-June, was removed on Tuesday.

The healthy swimming map is linked here, while the weekend statewide cyanobacteria update is linked here.

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