Toxic Bloom Closes Lake
How familiar does this sound? Climbing summer temperatures and nutrient-rich runoff had been feeding algae blooms on the state's biggest lake for some time. Reports were sporadic. Officials weren’t overly concerned. It wasn’t news. Then, in a matter of days, an eruption of green slime coated shorelines for miles. Suddenly it was everywhere. Reports said it looked like spilled paint and smelled like rotten eggs. The DEP ordered tests. The results surprised no one: Positive. The blooms were toxic. This is not a Florida story. Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey is a major boating and fishing destination with a thriving summer economy. The timing of this year's cyanobacteria bloom couldn't be worse: a week before July 4th. Here's where the [...]