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Almost 30 beaches in Vermont are under bacteria advisories this weekend. Here's where
Planning to soak up the sun at a Vermont beach this weekend?
You'll want to avoid areas with unsafe swimming water. According to the Vermont Department of Health, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae that grows in freshwater, can release toxins into the water that create unsafe swimming conditions. Health effects from coming in contact with cyanobacteria include rashes, abdominal pain, vomiting, liver damage and dizziness.
Heading into this weekend, 29 swimming spots in Vermont are under advisories for high cyanobacteria levels. Here's the full list.
What swimming spots in VT are currently under bacteria advisories?
The following beaches and other swimming spots in Vermont are under bacteria advisories as of Friday, July 18:
Alburgh: West Alburgh 129 & Summit Road (High Alert)
Burlington:
Burlington Marina (Low Alert)
Burlington Community Boathouse Marina (Low Alert)
Dog Park Steps (Low Alert)
Lakeside Beach (Low Alert)
Perkins Pier (Low Alert)
Red Rocks Beach (Low Alert)
Rock Point - Eagle Bay (Low Alert)
Rubenstein Lab - waterfront (High Alert)
Burton Island: South Shore (Low Alert)
Charlotte: Converse Bay (High Alert)
Ferrisburgh:
Button Bay Boat Launch (High Alert)
Button Bay South (High Alert)
Highgate Springs: Gander Bay (Low Alert)
Isle la Motte:
Saint Anne's Shrine (High Alert)
West Shore (High Alert)
West Shore Road (High Alert)
North Hero: Stephenson Point Fish and Wildlife Access (High Alert)
Panton: Arnold Bay Point (High Alert)
Shelburne:
Pine Haven Shores (High Alert)
Shelburne Bay - West Shore (Low Alert)
Shelburne Pond - Shoreline Trail (High Alert)
South Burlington: Holmes Road - Northeast Shelburne Bay (High Alert)
South Hero:
Apricot Point (Low Alert)
Harrington Lane on Lake Champlain (High Alert)
Keeler Bay (High Alert)
West Shore Road on Lake Champlain (High Alert)
St. Albans:
Black Bridge (High Alert)
St. Albans Bay Park (Low Alert)
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When will beaches in Vermont reopen?
Beaches can only become safe for swimming when their bacteria levels are back within the safe range, so there is no set amount of time for a closure. Bloom conditions can change rapidly, so it is best to check for discolored water before heading in.
Updated conditions can be checked on the Vermont Department of Health's Cyanobacteria Tracker.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Which VT beaches are currently unsafe for swimming? Here's a list
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