The current Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) map posted by the state Department of Environmental Protection shows outbreaks across the state. Greenwood Lake has received four orange advisories; Cozy Lake has received red high-health-risk warnings. An advisory requires closure of public beaches — like Round Valley Reservoir — but not necessarily those at private clubs. People went fishing at Cozy Lake, notwithstanding the red warning sign and pea-green water with extremely high toxin counts. According to the DEP, New Jersey is trending toward another hot, HABby summer.
“In 2022, our HABs increased about 38 percent since the program began. And we’re on course for the same amount this year. We’re having similar weather,” said HAB expert Vic Poretti of the DEP.
The HAB map reports three high health-risk warnings in red, 35 moderate-risk advisories in orange, 26 blue watches with milder health impacts and 88 green “Not Present” results.
Rainstorms wash nutrients into lakes where they feed the algae. Climate change plays a role, with warm winters and hot summers encouraging growth of the algae. Fred Lubnow of Princeton Hydro said, “We’ve seen cyanobacteria blooms going all the way into early December. So not only are they larger, but they’re hanging out for longer periods of time — which is problematic for a recreational lake.”
Princeton Hydro has started working with the Greenwood Lake Commission. They’ll clear out weeds, look at the runoff that carries nutrients into the lake and examine the algae.
