According to Ed Briggs, Director of Health for the Town of Ridgefield, Mamanasco Lake is presently not safe for swimming or fishing. It is covered with blue/green algae. The town is working to clean up the lake.
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection warns of blue/green algae: Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Connecticut. These microscopic organisms often go unnoticed and cause no harm. However, when nutrient loading exceeds certain levels, a water body can experience nuisance blue-green algae blooms that may produce and release toxins. When blue-green algae blooms release toxins, people and animals using the water body for recreation can be affected.
Mamanasco Lake Improvement Fund (MLIF) has issued the following statement:
The bacteria cell count was in excess of 100,000 cells/ml. This likely doesn’t mean that conditions have deteriorated, but you likely took the sample from a shoreline area of cell accumulation. Due to the fact that these are free floating cells they are subject to the wind and weather, so often times there is an accumulation of cells along windy shorelines. Bottom line is the toxin risk still exists and people should continue to refrain from using the water.
For updates, please click here to be taken to MLIF Facebook page.
About Lake Mamanasco:
The watershed of Lake Mamanasco covers an area of 537 acres and contains about 440 homes. It is bounded on the southeast by Tackora Trail, to the southwest by Barrack Hill Road, and to the north by North Salem Road. In addition to the private residential homes, the state maintains a boat ramp and parking area, while Richardson Park makes the town of Ridgefield the largest single lakefront property owner.
The major beach located on the western shoreline is the Mamanasco Beach Club, a private beach operated by the Eight Lakes Community Association.