Rhode Island is known for its incredible coastal beaches, but we also have amazing freshwater ponds and lakes. Now that we are into the truly hot days of summer, the algae have started to bloom and this means that certain spots are off limits. A blue-green algae warning has been issued by the Rhode Island Department of Public Health and there are 15 bodies of water you need to steer clear of until the conditions improve.

There's nothing quite like spending a day on the water whether you are kayaking, boating, swimming, or fishing. Imagine that you head to your favorite freshwater spot and there is slimy stuff all over the water. Watch out, this could be toxic blue-green algae.
Flickr/MCPA Photos
While it won't kill you on contact, there are health risks associated with coming into contact with this toxic stuff. Some potential health effects could include nausea, headache, skin irritations, GI issues, muscle weakness, and can range from mild to severe. If large amounts of algae are ingested, the liver and nervous systems could be affected. For our animal companions, especially dogs, the effects can be much more severe.
So what does it look like? The algae blooms can look thick like pea soup or like paint spilled across the water's surface. The water will also take on a bright green tinge and you may see algae floating on the surface.
Wikimedia Commons/Lamiot
If you come into contact with the algae or the water it is in, immediately wash your skin with clean water as soon as possible. Upon arriving home, take a shower and immediately wash your clothes. If your pet comes into contact, wash their fur thoroughly with clean water as soon as you can.

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Even after the thick mats of algae disappear, the toxins may remain in the water. It is important to heed the blue-green algae warning until it is lifted by the Health Department.
Wikimedia Commons/Willem van Aken, CSIRO
Which bodies of water currently have a warning in place?
Google Images/Vitor Ferreira
Currently, 15 bodies of water in Rhode Island have a blue-green algae warning in place. Those bodies of water and the dates the warning was issued are:

Almy Pond, Newport (6/27/2018)
Blackamore Pond, Cranston (8/10/2018)
Central Pond, East Providence (7/16/2018)
Edgewood Lake, Providence (8/10/2018)
Japanese Gardens, Providence (8/10/2018)
Mashapaug Pond, Providence (7/25/2018)
Melville Ponds, Portsmouth (6/27/2018)
Omega Pond, East Providence (7/17/2018)
Roosevelt Lake, Providence (7/25/2018)
Sisson Pond, Portsmouth (6/8/2018)
Slack Reservoir, Greenville (7/31/2018)
Stafford Pond, Tiverton (7/17/2018)
Ten Mile River, East Providence (7/17/2018)
Turner Reservoir, East Providence (7/13/2018)
Willow Lake, Providence (8/10/2018)

There are plenty of other bodies of water for recreation that doesn’t have a blue-green algae warning, so put your health first and pick another water playground for your summer recreation. In addition, if you happen to see anything like this in a different body of water, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photo of the algae bloom. If you were planning a day at one of these spots, don’t worry, there are plenty of other summertime activities to keep you busy.

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