6 Lake Hopatcong Beaches Reopened To Swimming

HOPATCONG, NJ — Six beaches along Lake Hopatcong have reopened to swimming after a weeks-long harmful algae bloom advisory was lifted, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday.

Pebble Beach, Sand Harbor, Bass Rock Beach, Sperry Springs Beach, Beck Lane Beach and CAPP Beach are all safe to lounge and swim at, officials said, after two consecutive water samples came back below acceptable limits. These are the first beaches to reopen for swimming; all other beaches remain closed.

The six beaches join Indian Harbor, Henderson Cove, Byram Cove and Byrum Bay to Halsey Island as having safe levels of cytobacteria, the organism responsible for algae blooms. The rest of the lake remains under the advisory.

Levels of cyanobacteria, the bacteria behind the blooms, must be below 20,000 cells per milliliter to be safe for swimming. The six reopened beaches have all fallen below that threshold on two occasions; some beaches are below 10,000 cells per milliliter.

Another round of sampling will be done at Byram Bay Community Club Beach and Clearwater Beach on Thursday. Both tested below the limit on Monday, but need a second below-limit reading to be reopened.

During the advisory, people and pets are advised against coming into contact with the water. This includes swimming, jet skiing, and other more active water activities. Any fish caught should not be eaten. There is no advisory for passive water activities that do not include water contact.