Fecal Bacteria Advisories Issued For 9 New Hampshire Ocean, Lake, Ponds, And Beaches: Swimming Update

CONCORD, NH — The latest swimming data published by state officials on Friday shows a slight increase in affected waterways in the state of New Hampshire.

Last week, around 15 beaches and parks were reporting issues, while this week it was 20, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Healthy Swimming Mapper. Nine beaches are reporting fecal bacteria advisories while 11 parks and ponds are reporting cyanobacteria watches and sightings.

New fecal bacteria warnings include Center Harbor Town Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, which was posted on Thursday based on a sample taken on Wednesday. It will be resampled on Monday. Leavitt Park Beach in Meredith, also on Winnipesaukee, also posted a positive reading on Thursday from earlier in the week. It will also be resampled on Monday. The FB Argue Recreation Area Beach at Clark’s Pond in Pittsfield was posted on Tuesday. It was resampled on Wednesday and will be resampled again on Monday. Kingston State Park Beach at Great Pond was sampled on Tuesday and posted on Wednesday. It was resampled on Thursday, and an update is expected to be reported on Friday. Foss Beach in Rye was sampled on Wednesday and the results were reported on Thursday. Another sample will be taken on Friday. Jenness Beach State Park in Rye was posted on Tuesday and also resampled on Wednesday. More sampling will take place on Friday. Seabrook Harbor Beach was also sampled on Tuesday and posted on Wednesday. It was resampled on Thursday with new results expected on Friday.

Also Read

• Heat Advisory Issued By The National Weather Service, Thunderstorms Heading To New Hampshire
• Miss Hampton Beach; Concerts; Farmers’ Markets; Yard Sales; Photo Classes; And More: Get Out, NH
• 7 New Hampshire Beaches, Including Hampton, North Hampton, And Northwood, Have Fecal Bacteria Advisories

Hampton Beach State Park remains on the list from last week.

Northwood Town Beach, Ellacoya RV State Park Beach, Corcoran’s Pond Beach, Hampton Harbor Beach, Northside Park Beach (Plaice Cove), and North Hampton State Park Beach were all removed from the list this week.

Crystal Lake Public Beach in Manchester also reopened to the public for swimming on Thursday after E. coli levels were now “within acceptable limits,” the city’s health department said.

Cyanobacteria Updates

While only one beach in New Hampshire has an official cyanobacteria watch, nearly a dozen other sightings have been reported.

Otter Lake in Greenfield had blooms observed on the shoreline on July 16. The watch remains active.

Baboosic Lake in Amherst and Merrimack had a bloom sighting on Tuesday.

Arlington Mill Pond and Arlington Pond in Salem had four sightings on July 11, July 15, July 16, and two on Tuesday.

Angle Pond in East Hampstead reported a bloom on Wednesday.

A bloom was reported on Winnipesaukee at Moultonborough Neck on Tuesday.

Crescent Lake at Devil’s Cove reported a bloom on July 16, while two blooms were also reported on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro.

Health Warnings

Exposure to fecal bacteria can lead to digestive and respiratory illnesses, infections, skin rashes, diarrhea, and other significant health issues, state officials said.

Cyanobacteria blooms are not unique to New Hampshire and are found in many states and other parts of the world as well. Officials warned swimmers, waders, and pet owners that blooms and surface scum from cyanobacteria are natural occurrences, but exposure can lead to acute health effects, including skin irritation and damage to mucous membranes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 190 communities. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.