Harmful Blue-Green Algae Bloom-related Beach Closure Summary
Regulated bathing beaches continue closing their swimming areas more frequently and for longer periods of time during the beach season (Memorial Day-Labor Day) to ensure that people avoid contact with harmful blue-green algae blooms and their toxins. When a harmful blue-green algae bloom is present at a bathing beach, the swim area must be closed to protect public health, regardless if toxins are present, and remain closed until the water is clear and testing confirms toxin levels are below a level of concern.
2022 Summary Data

County | # Times Beaches Closed | # Beaches Closed | Waterbodies with Beach Closures | # Lost Beach Days |
---|---|---|---|---|
Broome | 1 | 1 | Whitney Point Reservoir | 49 |
Cattaraugus | 6 | 2 | Quaker Lake, Red House Lake | 35 |
Cayuga | 3 | 3 | Cayuga Lake, Owasco Lake | 20 |
Chautauqua | 8 | 1 | Chautauqua Lake | 52 |
Clinton | 5 | 3 | Lake Champlain | 38 |
Delaware | 1 | 1 | Launt Pond | 36 |
Dutchess | 2 | 1 | Deer Lake | 13 |
Essex | 1 | 1 | Lake Champlain | 4 |
Jefferson | 3 | 1 | Lake Ontario | 19 |
Livingston | 3 | 2 | Conesus Lake | 29 |
Madison | 1 | 1 | Cazenovia Lake | 5 |
Oneida | 1 | 1 | Oneida Lake | 7 |
Onondaga | 2 | 1 | Jamesville Reservoir | 15 |
Ontario | 1 | 1 | Honeoye Lake | 8 |
Orange | 4 | 2 | Lake Tiorati, Beaver Dam Lake | 26 |
Otsego | 8 | 4 | Otsego Lake | 68 |
Putnam | 23 | 9 | Lake Peekskill, Lake Casse, Lake Carmel, Putnam Lake, Oscawana Lake | 275 |
Rockland | 1 | 1 | Lake Welch | 76 |
Seneca | 3 | 3 | Seneca Lake | 34 |
Sullivan | 2 | 2 | Lake Superior, Mongaup Pond | 21 |
Tompkins | 5 | 3 | Cayuga Lake, Jennings Pond | 23 |
Westchester | 7 | 4 | Lake Mohegan, Lake Lincolndale, Lake Purdys | 88 |
Wyoming | 2 | 2 | Yogi and Boo Boo's Campground Pond, Woodstream Campsite Pond | 99 |
Yates | 4 | 4 | Keuka Lake | 32 |