State Removes Cyanobacteria Advisory for Pelham Town Beach on Long Pond in Pelham, New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has REMOVED a cyanobacteria advisory for Long Pond in Pelham that was issued on 8/25/2021. Cyanobacteria advisories are issued when cell concentrations exceed 70,000 cells/ml. Samples collected on 9/3/21 contained Dolichospermum and Microcystis with cell concentrations of 59,500 cells/ml at the beach. Additional samples were collected from deeper areas of the lake and cell concentrations ranged from 26,000 to 38,000 cells/ml. While the surface bloom has visibly dissipated, NHDES advises that lake-goers look out for clouds and surface accumulations in the future. Please continue to monitor your individual shoreline for changing conditions.

This advisory was not based on a toxin evaluation and was intended as a precautionary measure for short term exposure. Cyanobacteria are natural components of water bodies worldwide, though blooms and surface scums may form when excess nutrients are available to the water. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that are stored within the cells and released upon cell death. Toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects that range in severity. Acute health effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea. Chronic effects may include liver and central nervous system damage. Be cautious of lake water that has a surface scum, changes colors, or appears to have green streaks or blue-green flecks aggregating along the shore.  

The advisory went into effect on August 25, 2021 and was removed on September 3, 2021.

• Visit the NHDES Beach Program website for photos and more information about cyanobacteria.
• View updates on cyanobacteria advisories.
• Follow the Beaches twitter feed.

If you notice anything resembling cyanobacteria, please refrain from wading, swimming, or drinking the water. Keep all pets out of the water and contact NHDES immediately. Please call NHDES to report a cyanobacteria bloom at (603) 848-8094 or email HAB@des.nh.gov.