Cliff Pond Cyanobacteria Advisory Issued

On Sunday September 4, 2022, a BPC member photographed a potential cyanobacteria bloom at Cliff Pond, and sent the pictures to our organization.  We shared this information with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) at Nickerson State Park. The blooms were sighted by both DCR and BPC and do indicate the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom at Cliff Pond.  Accordingly, The MA Department of Public Health is recommending that a public health advisory be issued for Cliff Pond.  Signage has been posted warning against any contact with the water.  DPH will conduct follow-up sampling once the bloom is no longer present.

Out of an abundance of caution and until further notice, people and pets should avoid contact with the pond water.  Do not ingest or get pond water in your mouth.  Do not recreate in this pond until the posting is removed by the MA DCR and DPH.

This is a great example of how everyone in our community can be a citizen scientist and how valuable your contributions are to keeping us safe.  If you see something let us know!!

The BPC will report back when the pond advisory is removed.

Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your animals have a sudden or unexplained sickness or signs of poisoning. 

If you have any questions please contact:
Marty Burke - marty.burke@brewsterponds.org 

For additional information,  please visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water or Cyanobacteria Monitoring on Cape Cod - Barnstable County (wpengine.com) or The Brewster Ponds Coalition www.brewsterponds.org.