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Cyanobacteria Advisory in Effect for Indian Lake
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/31/2018 5:26 PM
The City of Worcester Division of Public Health and the Department of Inspectional Services have issued a public health advisory due to laboratory results of high levels of cyanobacteria (blue-green) algae in Indian Lake. The lake has been ordered closed until additional laboratory tests show otherwise.
Individuals and their pets are encouraged to avoid coming in contact with the lake until further notice. The City will be working with environmental health specialists to monitor water quality and determine the length of the closure.
Cyanobacteria are microscopic and naturally occurring in all waterbodies with some species growing in waterbody sediments, while other cyanobacteria can move within the water. Growth of these naturally-occurring algae is aided by certain environmental conditions, such as warm weather, sunlight and excess nutrients in the water. Excess levels of nutrients can come from human related sources. Phosphorous and nitrogen-found in lawn fertilizers, storm water runoff, wild animal waste, and agricultural activities, are key nutrients that aid blue-green algae growth.
All recreational lakes and ponds in Worcester are monitored for cyanobacteria. The City will continue to monitor all bodies of water for any potential problems.
Health concerns from harmful algae blooms and their toxins vary depending on the type of exposure and the amount of toxin present. The following recommendations are being offered to avoid algae exposure until further notice:
- Do not swim in the lake
- Do not allow pets in the water
- Fishing is prohibited
- Do not swallow water
- Rinse skin off immediately after contact
Health Risks:
- Contact with these algae can cause skin and eye irritation
- Ingesting small amounts can cause gastrointestinal symptoms while ingesting large amounts may cause liver or neurological damage
- Inhaling water spray with algae in it can cause asthma-like symptoms
- Small children and pets are more susceptible to the effects of toxins than adults
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What Is Causing the Cyanoabacteria Blooms?
Cyanobacteria blooms are devastating water bodies all over the country. There are numerous efforts under way to study and track these blooms and pinpoint ways to prevent them.
Could it be caused by
climate change? It's certainly possible as warm waters and intense weather patterns can cause havoc on our lakes and ponds. Heavy rains often wash pollutants into the waterways, bypassing both natural and man-made filtration efforts.
Nutrient loading.... common in many urban waterways and very well documented in Indian Lake. Nutrients in the form of phosphorus from fertilizers and detergents feed the algae. The board is currently advocating for improvements to the biggest inlet to Indian Lake, Ararat Brook, (which enters at the intersection of Shore Drive and Holden Street) to help manage the nutrient loading.
Shallowness ... there is little doubt that nutrient loading combined with the shallow lake is a likely contributor. It creates a very warm water body that algae love. The ILWA is moving efforts forward to further analyze the role the sediment plays in lake management.
Is algae bad? No. There are hundreds of different types of algae and most are signs of a healthy water body. However, too much is not healthy, especially in the case of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that have been known to make people and pets sick.
Toxins can be released when the cells die off. Again, low levels of cyanobacteria, there is little to be concerned with. But when the cell counts get high, conditions can change very quickly. Thus, it is best to heed the warnings and refrain from contact with the water until the advisory is lifted.
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The YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Bancroft School, and the Reliant Foundation are coming together to present the Shore Park 5K to benefit summer programming on Shore Drive. Our family-friendly event includes individual and team prizes, music, and a dog friendly environment for participants and their families. This is a chip-timed 5K run or walk race on a USATF certified course.
Learn More Online Shore Park 5k
Registration is NOW OPEN!
Race Day:
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Race Registration:
7:30 am
Race Start:
9:00 am
Location:
Shore Park, 115 Shore Drive, Worcester, MA
(Next to the Greendale Family Branch YMCA)
(Race held Rain or Shine)
Entry fees are $25 until August 10th, $30.00 until August 31st, $35 from September 1st-September 21st, and $40.00 during post-registration on race day.
Entry fees for children 12 and under are $15.00.
Dog gift bags for $10.00.
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Membership Renewals
It's membership renewal time and we hope we can count on your continued support! As you know, mailing costs are constantly going up which makes it increasingly challenging as a small non-profit. If you could kindly consider printing the membership form below and sending it in with your dues, it would be a great help.
Membership renewal letters went out in early August.
Not a member yet? We would be honored to have your support!
Membership Form |
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Monthly Neighborhood Watch
The Indian Lake Neighborhood Watch meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm at the training room at Harr Toyota, 100 Gold Star Boulevard. At every meeting we receive an update on the neighborhood crime statistics from the previous month from Worcester
Police Officer Lisa Carlson. Officer Carlson also shares other updates with the group including trends in crime around the city as well as important tips regarding general safety, home security and how to identify illegal drugs and drug use behaviors.
This meeting is also about quality of life issues in the neighborhood such as missing street signs, graffiti, illegal dumpting, pot holes, abandoned vehicles, abandoned houses, etc. The meeting is typically attended by one of the City of Worcester Code Enforcement employees who is also available to answer questions about city ordinances.
If you are unable to attend these meetings but would like to share information with the group or ask a question you can email
[email protected]
or Officer Carlson directly at
[email protected]
.
The next neighborhood meeting is Tuesday, September 18th at 6pm.
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*** PUBLIC SAFETY ***
Worcester Police Department
Emergency 911
Non Emergency 508-799-8606
Massachusetts Environmental Police
Dispatch: 800-632-8075
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Indian Lake Watershed Association, Inc.
PO Box 60244, Worcester, MA 01606
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