Harmful Algae Spotted In Central Park Lake, State Says

CENTRAL PARK, NY — It's summertime in the city and the State Department of Environmental Conservation is once again warning New Yorkers to be on the lookout for potentially harmful algal blooms in Central Park waters.

State inspectors recorded a "suspicious" algal bloom located in the Lake at Central Park during a test this month and recorded a confirmed algal bloom with "high toxins" in the same body of water in May.

The Lake — which touches several popular destinations such as the Bow Bridge, Loeb Boathouse and Bethesda Fountain terrace — is an annual fixture on the state agency's harmful algal blooms notification list. The body of water has spent double-digit weeks on the list each year since 2013, according to state records.

Exposure to harmful toxins can lead to symptoms in humans such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as irritated skin and throat and "asthma-like breathing difficulties."

Algae can also attach itself to pet fur and get into an animal's system when they clean themselves, the DEC says. Symptoms include stumbling and convulsions, "excessive" drooling and salivation, disorientation, an elevated heart rate and strained breathing.

If contact is made with the algae-infested waters, it should be washed off thoroughly with clean water, the DEC says.