Numerous Putnam County beaches are still closed this month due to harmful algae blooms and/or elevated bacteria levels.

Barger Pond Beach, Continental Village Beach, Lake Secor Beach, Northview Beach and Sycamore Park Beach all closed their gates this month due to elevated bacteria levels. In Putnam Valley, all three beaches on the shore of Lake Peekskill are closed due to harmful algae blooms. According to the Putnam County Health Department, blue-green algae naturally occurs in lakes, streams and oceans. The algae can cause health effects in both people and animals either by being inhaled or just contact-to-contact. In a statement, the Putnam County Health Department said the blooms occur when certain conditions are met, including excess nitrogen and phosphorus, calm water, warm temperatures and more. The department added that as temperatures in the state continue to increase, this may contribute to more algal blooms in the coming years. The department says it will conduct clearance sampling to verify the water is OK to swim in before reopening.