Hopatcong State Park Beach Still Closed Despite Good Test Results

HOPATCONG, NJ — The Hopatcong State Park beach remains closed, even after it had two acceptable water tests in a row, a Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson confirmed.

Two consecutive water tests have showed that levels of cyanobactera are below the 20,000 cells per milliliter limit at Hopatcong State Park; water tested at around 18,000 cells per millimeter on both Aug. 12 and Aug. 15, after peaking at 71,000 on July 25. Eight other beaches have already reopened after their harmful algae bloom advisories were lifted.

So why is the state park beach still closed?

Just because the beach is testing below acceptable limits, doesn't mean the nearby water is safe, DEP spokesperson Larry Hajna said.

Nearby areas including Bertrand Island and a section of water southeast of the beach are still testing too high, Hajna said. Because of their proximity to the public beach, officials decided to wait to reopen the beach.

"Monitoring results for Hopatcong State Park Beach were below the health advisory guidance threshold, but the other areas were above the threshold. Therefore, at this time the DEP and Department Of Health believe that ... conditions which pose an immediate health or safety hazard continue to exist and that the public recreational bathing facility must remain closed," Hajna said.

A number of areas have been reopened following a lake-wide harmful Algae bloom advisory issued at the end of June, mostly on the western spur of the lake. They are:

• Indian Harbor
• Henderson Cove
• Byram Cove
• Byrum Bay to Halsey Island
• Pebble Beach
• Sand Harbor
• Bass Rock Beach
• Sperry Springs Beach
• Beck Lane Beach
• CAPP Beach
• Byram Bay Community Club Beach
• Clearwater Beach

Read More:

• Dogs In TX, NC, Killed By Same Algae Found In Lake Hopatcong
• All Of Lake Hopatcong Closed To Swimming Due To Algae
• Lake Hopatcong's Terrible Summer: Algae Blooms Could Ruin Season