For Immediate Release: 8/2/2016 2:48 pm
Worcester, MA (August 2, 2016) - Indian Lake will be closed Thursday, August 4th, due to a chemical treatment for nuisance algae. All use of the lake will be prohibited, including boating, fishing, swimming and irrigation. No humans or pets should be in contact with the lake water on this day.
The lake will be safe for swimming this week, and is expected to be reopened on Friday. Testing recently revealed blue-green algae are beginning to rise although not a danger to the public. Algae levels are currently at 35,000 cells per ml. Algae is considered unsafe for human activity at 70,000 cells per ml. Levels will continue to be monitored following the treatment.
A copper sulfate treatment will be applied Thursday to reduce the bloom. The City of Worcester has hired Solitude Lake Management, a licensed environmental management company with extensive knowledge of Indian Lake, to perform the treatment. The treatment, which is conducted pursuant to a permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and an order of conditions issued by the Worcester Conservation Commission. This treatment is done in coordination with the Indian Lake Watershed Association.
Growth of these naturally-occurring algae is aided by certain environmental conditions, such as warm weather, sunlight and excess nutrients in the water. Excess levels of nutrients in water bodies can come from human related sources. Phosphorous and nitrogen - found in lawn starter fertilizers, storm water runoff, wild waste and agricultural activities - are two key nutrients that aid blue-green algae growth.
