More Than A Dozen Beaches Have Fecal Bacteria, Cyanobacteria Sightings: New Hampshire Swimming Update

CONCORD, NH — There are more than a dozen beaches and parks dealing with fecal bacteria and cyanobacteria in the state of New Hampshire.

According to the latest data published by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Healthy Swimming Mapper, cyanobacteria are active in a few Lakes Region waterbodies. A bloom report was filed on Lake Winnipesaukee on Moultonborough Neck last month, while Rust Pond in Wolfeboro reported a bloom on Thursday. Province Lake, in the towns of Effingham and Wakefield, reported a bloom along the shoreline on Friday. Several blooms were reported a Huntress Pond in Center Barnstead late last month and on Tuesday. A bloom was also reported at Jenness Pond in Northwood on Friday.

In the southern part of New Hampshire, blooms were reported at Zephyr Lake in Greenfield on Wednesday, Crystal Lake in Manchester late last month, and Arlington Pond in Salem on Monday. Several blooms were spotted at Baboosic Lake in Amherst and Merrimack late last month and this week.

Read about the latest water quality report on the Souhegan River, published Friday, here: The Souhegan is a Designated River.

Half Moon Pond in Washington reported a bloom on Sunday, while Greenwood Pond in Kingston had several recent reports of blooms.

Fecal Bacteria Advisories

Four beaches in New Hampshire are on the current fecal bacteria advisory list.

The parks include the Hudson Town Beach, which was listed on Wednesday, and Hampton Harbor Beach, Hampton Beach State Park, and North Hampton State Park Beach, which all posted notices on Thursday.

State Health Warnings

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.

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

To view the Healthy Swimming Mapper, visit this link.

For more information about cyanobacteria, check out this link on the NH DES site.

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