Bacteria Alerts At 2 NH Beaches

HOLLIS, NH — Bacteria warnings were issued at two New Hampshire beaches this week. A cyanobacteria warning was issued for Silver Lake in Hollis and a fecal bacteria warning was issued for Griffin Beach in Franklin, state environmental officials announced Tuesday. Swimmers were advised to stay out of the water and boaters were urged to stay away if they see deep clouds of green or blue clouds in the water.

(Subscribe to free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from New Hampshire Patch sites.)

"A possible toxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom has been spotted appearing as bluish-green globs and/or clouds throughout the water column," the alert read for Silver Lake read. "The heaviest bloom areas were located near the dam. Please be advised conditions can change and bloom conditions may appear elsewhere along the shoreline. Lake users should avoid contact with the water in areas experiencing cyanobacteria bloom conditions and keep pets out. The waterbody will be resampled."

Cyanobacteria is toxic to humans and animals.

Also on Tuesday, the state Department of Environmental Services issued an alert for fecal bacteria at Griffin Beach in Franklin. Those were the only environmental alerts at state beaches and other bodies of water as of Wednesday. The beaches will undergo testing this week. The warnings remained in effect as of Wednesday afternoon.

New Hampshire Beach Advisories: June 14, 2017

Photo: Silver Lake in Hollis. (Credit: New Hampshire State Parks)