Lake Hopatcong Commission: Testing Shows Some Blue-Green Algae is Toxic

A representative of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection presented findings from a study of the growth of blue-green algae on Lake Hopatcong at a meeting of the Lake Hopatcong Commission, warning that some of the specimen is toxic.

Kerry Kirk Pflugh of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection said at the Aug. 18 meeting that all persons should stay away from algae blooms regardless of toxicity when addressing findings in an investigation on the dangers of the blooms to humans, particularly swimmers.

Pflugh said that this blue-green algae grows when there is an excess of nutrients living in shallow water with poor circulation, making Crescent Cove a prime location for such an occurrence. Sceptic systems leaching into water, over-fertilization and lack of maintenance on storm water systems are also factors in these blooms, she said.

Chairman Russ Felter, also the mayor of Jefferson Township, said Jefferson would be selling a vacuum truck in need of refurbishing to Hopatcong Borough, which will be repaired before use.

Residents of Crescent Cove such as Willa Scantlebury showed two-months worth of photos of her dock that has been surrounded by the algae.

“What I’d like to see is a collaborative effort between the LHC, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and the NJDEP,” she said. “(The LHC and LHF) were established for the well being of the lake…well the lake is sick,” she said.

Pflugh said she believed that this health concern would be minimal and short-lived.