[B]URLINGTON – Three popular Burlington beaches were closed Friday after officials spotted several blue-green algae blooms.
The Burlington Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront posted closure notices for North, Leddy and Texaco beaches just before noon.
Diana Wood, the marketing and outreach manager, said the department conducts visual tests on Lake Champlain daily during the summer months to check for blooms. Those can be followed by lab tests to confirm the presence of bacteria.
This is the first time beaches have closed in the Queen City this season.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, is found in freshwater and can release natural toxins into the water when they die and break down. During warm weather and low wind, the bacteria can multiply quickly and form blooms on the surface, especially in water with a high amount of nutrients.
“We act immediately based on what we see, and our response is to post signs,” Wood said.
The Parks Department has placed notices at all three beaches indicating they are closed for swimming. Alerts were also shared on the department’s website and social media.
North Beach was nearly empty early Friday afternoon with people walking away from the closed swimming area and vehicles turning around on the access road.
Swimming in water with cyanobacteria can cause various health issues including sore throats, diarrhea, stomach problems and minor rashes. Pets are also at risk if they swallow water by the shoreline.
“Not all blooms have toxins, but we just always that extra precaution and post signs for no swimming,” Wood said.
There were 29 reports of cyanobacteria in Burlington in 2018, according to data from the Vermont Department of Health.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources issued an alert that Burlington’s main wastewater treatment facility discharged 79,122 gallons into the Pine Street Barge Canal on Thursday night. The Parks Department said the discharge does not flow directly into Lake Champlain.
The city is currently monitoring other beaches for the presence of cyanobacteria, including Blanchard Beach at Oakledge Park.
Erin Moreau, waterfront superintendent and harbormaster, said the city will retest water quality at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow and will be able to reopen around 11 at the earliest if cyanobacteria is gone.
“Right now, we’re a little bit encouraged that it’s clearing up, but we’ll have to wait and see what the morning brings,” Moreau said.
Beach closure updates can be monitored on Parks Department social media.
