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NY Beaches Closed: Algae Blooms & Lifeguard Shortages
11 Aug
Summary
- Five New York State Park beaches are currently closed to swimming.
- Closures are due to harmful algae blooms and lifeguard shortages.
- State parks regularly test water quality for E. coli and enterococcus.
As of August 12, 2026, five New York State Park beaches are unavailable for swimming. Three of these closures are attributed to harmful algae blooms, posing a risk to public health. Additionally, two beaches have been closed because of a lack of on-duty lifeguards, impacting recreational access.
New York State operates 67 state-owned swimming beaches, all subject to regular water quality testing. These tests assess bacterial levels to determine the risk of waterborne diseases. Officials from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation update beach status, with results typically available within 24 hours of sample collection.
Beaches are closed if there's an anticipated risk to public health or safety, often signaled by elevated bacteria concentrations. Causes can vary, including stormwater runoff, natural bacteria, or sewage overflows. Testing protocols involve analyzing freshwater samples for E. coli and ocean samples for enterococcus, with specific thresholds triggering advisories or closures.
