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Spillway Swim Beach at Youghiogheny River Lake reopens

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UPDATE: The Spillway Swim Beach at the Youghiogheny River Lake closed on July 31st due to toxic algae blooms, but the beach reopened on Aug. 15.

Toxic algae may be in the lake. But officials said to avoid contact with discolored water or scum, do not ingest any lake water and wash after contact with the water.

The original story is below.


CONFLUENCE, Pa. (KDKA) -- The Spillway Swim Beach at the Youghiogheny River Lake is going to be closed until further notice after testing confirmed the presence of algae blooms in the water.

On Wednesday, algae blooms were identified in the lake following testing by the Army Corps of Engineers.

ATTENTION: On July 31, preliminary testing by the Corps of Engineers identified algae blooms in the Youghiogheny River...

Posted by Youghiogheny River Lake on Wednesday, July 31, 2024

The Army Corps says that algae blooms can cause serious health risks and suggest that the public avoid all contact with water in the area -- particularly water that looks like spilled paint, is discolored, or has a surface scum on it. 

Pets are also advised to stay away from the water.

Additional testing is being done to confirm the presence of toxins in the water and the Army Corps says that more information and update will be released when it is available. 

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