The New England Signal
Independent journalism covering all six New England states
Rhode Island

State lifts algae advisory at Blackamore Pond in Cranston

Rhode Island health and environmental officials said a harmful blue-green algae bloom at the pond has cleared and testing found no toxins.

CRANSTON, R.I. — Rhode Island health and environmental officials lifted their recommendation that people avoid swimming, boating and other recreation at Blackamore Pond in Cranston, saying a harmful algae bloom there has cleared.

The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said laboratory tests of the water showed low algae levels and no detectable toxins, meeting safety guidelines. The bloom was caused by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

The agencies cautioned that conditions can change quickly. Water affected by a harmful bloom may have bright to dark green scum along the shoreline and thick mats of algae floating on the surface, and can look like green paint, pea soup or green cottage cheese, officials said. They said people and pets should be kept away from water that looks that way, and that toxins can remain in the water after a bloom is no longer visible.

The Department of Environmental Management asks people to report suspected blue-green algae blooms to its Office of Water Resources, with a photograph if possible. The department keeps an online dashboard listing current advisories and test data.

This brief was drafted by AI from a public agency or political press release and published by The New England Signal. Why we use AI for stories like this one.

Rhode Island