Water's fine: Lake Welch open for summer but under watch for algae after last year's bloom

STONY POINT - Lake Welch is ready for summer use, New York State Parks officials say, after a dangerous and giant algae bloom shut down the biggest swimming lake in Harriman State Park for most of last season.

"We are looking forward to a fantastic season of swimming, picnicking, and boating at beautiful Lake Welch,” Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director Joshua Laird said in a statement.

The lake is open for picnicking daily during the summer but swimming hours are limited.

Swimming hours for the summer include:

• May 27 through June 19: 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. weekends and holiday only.

• June 20 to Sept. 4: 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. weekends and holidays.

State parks officials last year concentrated on cleaning up a Harmful Algal Bloom that shut the lake June 26 and on finding ways to stem future HABs.

The blooms have increased statewide as the climate warms. Like the Lake Welch bloom, they can appear quickly, often overnight. But the size and staying power of the HAB was unusual. It impacted the entire 216-acre lake.

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The state office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation took new steps to clear the HAB and continue efforts to reduce the risk of a repeat bloom like the one that closed the beach in 2022.

The actions include:

• Solar powered ultrasonic devices that provide continuous monitoring of water quality data; the devices, which can also minimize or prevent blooms, were used last summer and reinstalled in May.

• A 2,100-foot-long yellow boom to impede movement of any HAB bloom target treatment if a bloom occurs.

• A contractor on standby to treat the lake with an algaecide to minimize the potential for a bloom and provide treatment if a bloom does form.

"We are grateful to our State Parks colleagues for recognizing the importance of Lake Welch as a recreational resource for tens of thousands of visitors each summer.” Laird said.

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Harmful algae bloom prevention taken by NY parks at Lake Welch