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Algal bloom shuts down Jamesville Beach

Blue sky, lake with a sandy shoreline, and a few people in the distance at the water's edge.
Onondaga County Parks Dept.
The lake at Jamesville Beach will remain closed until threats of an algal bloom disappear. Visitors are warned to stay out of the water until the Onondaga County Parks department declares it safe.

An algal bloom has closed off swimming at Jamesville Beach until further notice.

The Onondaga County Parks Department said it’s the 2nd time this month and the 4th time it had to close the beach this summer due to a bloom.

Health experts have warned the blue-green algae can have serious health impacts for people, pets, wildlife and aquatic life.

Depending on the type of bloom and exposure, early symptoms can be any - or a combination of - the following:

  • Stomach pain
  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Coughing
  • Watery eyes
  • Nose irritation
  • Sore throat

In rare cases, the Centers for Disease Control warns that exposure to certain types of algal bloom can be deadly.

While swimming is banned at Jamesville Beach, other park amenities remain open.

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.