Blue-Green Algae Advisories Lifted Across Rhode Island

Portsmouth RI

24 December, 2019

12:01 PM

Description

PORTSMOUTH, RI — Blue-green algae advisories in ponds across Rhode Island have been lifted, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced on Tuesday. The toxic algae blooms are no longer dangerous due to cooler water temperatures and declining sunlight, the department said. Advisories have been lifted from the following ponds: Paradise Pond, MiddletownSisson Pond, PortsmouthSlack Reservoir, Smithfield-JohnstonCarbuncle Pond, CoventryAlmy Pond, NewportElm Lake, ProvidenceJL Curran Reservoir, CranstonMashapaug, ProvidencePleasure, ProvidenceRoosevelt, ProvidenceMelville Pond, PortsmouthThe only pond with an advisory still in place is Watson Reservoir in Little Compton, where the blue-green algae is still visible. Although the advisories have been lifted and the risk is much lower, the department said that the toxins might still be present in the water, and a warm spell could trigger another bloom in the winter or spring. The department is no longer monitoring Rhode Island's waterbodies for algae blooms this season, so residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for bright green or dense mats on the surface of the water. Blue-green algae blooms often look like thick pea soup or green paint.