Beach Haven West Lagoons Improving, But Don't Go Swimming

Swim at your own risk.

That's Stafford Township officials' advice to residents and visitors when it comes to the lagoons in Beach Haven West.

"Use of the lagoons for recreational swimming is at your own risk and is not recommended," according to an update posted on the township website.

The Ocean County Health Department recommends swimming only in protected areas where the water quality is regularly tested. Recreational crabbing and fishing is permitted, but only if crabs and fish are taken from approved harvest areas.

"No lagoon would be considered an approved harvest area," the statement says.

Stafford will continue to monitor water quality issues in the lagoons.

The township and the state Department of Environmental Protection found "degraded" water conditions after a number of dead ducks were found floating in the lagoons.

Botulism may have been the culprit in the brackish lagoon waters of Beach Haven West in recent weeks.

"Botulism lives in stagnant waters," Larry Hajna, a DEP spokesman told The Sandpaper. "Botulism grows in confined spaces with low oxygen."
Runoff from recent rains and torrid temperatures and the low water velocity in lagoons may have contributed to the problem, he said.
However, the DEP's Marine Water division found no chemicals in the lagoon waters, although the water quality was degraded, Hajna said.

Photo: Beach Haven West Civic Association