Three swimming beaches at state parks in New York are closed – two due to harmful algal blooms and the other due to heavy rainfall – and another swimming beach is under advisory for high bacteria levels, according to the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation tracks it all and updates the public on its website. New York has 67 state-owned swimming beaches and all are tested regularly to determine the public’s risk of coming in contact with waterborne diseases. The beaches are tested at least once a week for bacterial levels of impaired water quality, according to state officials.
Test results are available roughly 24 hours after samples are taken and results are posted daily at state park offices, online and at the beach.
Which NY parks beaches are closed for swimming
Long Point State Park on Lake Chautauqua in Chautauqua County
Stony Brook State Park in Steuben County
Note: The 8-foot-deep swimming hole at Stony Brook is closed this season due to flooding damage. The 1.5-deep wading area is operating this season but is temporarily closed.
Point Au Roche State Park on Lake Champlain in Clinton County
Which NY parks beaches are under advisory
Grafton Lakes State Park in Rensselear County
What sparks a beach closure in NY state parks?
State officials close beaches within state parks when there is a known or anticipated risk to public health or safety. Whenever this occurs, signs are posted and the public notified 18 to 24 hours after an elevated concentration of bacteria occurs.
The causes of elevated bacteria levels are not always clear. They may be related to land uses in the watershed; stormwater runoff; naturally occurring sand or soil bacteria; or other factors.
Closure decisions are based upon monitoring results in combination with other factors that influence water quality, including water conditions including sewage overflows, cold temperatures, or high waves; environmental conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds; and historical data.
What bacteria does NY test for?
Freshwater samples are analyzed for E. coli and ocean samples are tested for enterococcus.
A freshwater sample result equal to or above 235 E.coli colonies/100 ml exceeds the state standard. This applies to all regions of the Empire state except Long Island.
An ocean sample result equal to or above 104 enterococci colonies/100 ml exceeds the state standard. This applies only to the Long Island region.
How does NY classify beach closures after testing?
Beach closures are placed in one of two categories:
Category 1 beaches: These beaches can remain open with an advisory. Water at the beach will be resampled and if the sample exceeds the state standard a second time, the beach will close.
Category 2 beaches: The beach is automatically closed until a satisfactory sample is received.
What are the most common reasons for beach closures in NY?
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY state park beach closures: 3 swimming beaches closed, 1 under advisory
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
