IMPORTANT NOTICE: Lake Conditions Update 8/26/2025
Lake Conditions Update as of 8/26/25 2:00 PM
Lake 1 – Beach 1 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
Lake 2 – Swim Lanes, Beach 2, Beach 3 and Beach 4 are under an HAB ADVISORY, with tests showing only a modest improvement following treatment.
Lake 3 – Beach 6 is now open without restrictions. Cyanobacteria levels have dropped following treatment and a HAB notice is no longer required.
Lake 4 – Beach 5 has improved significantly but remains at the HAB Advisory level by a very small margin.
Lake 5 – Beach 7 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
Reminders:
- HAB WATCH = Proceed with caution.
- HAB ADVISORY = Swimming or bathing not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted, but avoid contact with or ingestion of lake water.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenge together. For more information on harmful algal blooms, visit NJDEP HAB Info.
Lake Conditions Update as of 8/12/25 3:30 PM
Lake 1 – Beach 1 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
Lake 2 – Swim Lanes, Beach 2, Beach 3 and Beach 4 are under an HAB ADVISORY
Lake 3 – Beach 6 Recent test results show that HAB levels have decreased. Beach 6 has been downgraded to HAB WATCH level. Beach 6 is open for swimming and other water contact activities.
Lake 4 – Beach 5 remains under a HAB ADVISORY
Lake 5 – Beach 7 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
There are no restrictions at Beaches 1 and 7. Boating and fishing are allowed on all lakes, but members are cautioned to not ingest the water or fish.
Reminders:
- HAB WATCH = Proceed with caution.
- HAB ADVISORY = Swimming or bathing not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted, but avoid contact with or ingestion of lake water.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenge together. For more information on harmful algal blooms, visit NJDEP HAB Info.
Lake Conditions Update as of 8/5/25 11:30 AM
Despite ongoing chemical treatments and consistent monitoring with our professional lake consultants, we regret to share that harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake 2 have intensified back up to an Advisory level.
We understand how frustrating and disappointing this is – especially during peak summer – and we want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to address the issue.
It’s important to keep in mind that HABs are not new and there is no treatment that is sure to prevent or eliminate them. HABs have been around for millennia and scientific researchers, governments, universities, and health and environmental organizations around the globe are cooperating to find ways to more effectively deal with HABs.
Unfortunately, even with proactive management, nature doesn’t always cooperate. Heavy rain, heat, and other environmental factors can rapidly intensify HAB conditions. This is no one’s fault – it’s a complex natural occurrence happening across the globe.
The following are the current lake conditions:
Lake 1 – Beach 1 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
Lake 2 – Swim Lanes, Beach 2, Beach 3 and Beach 4 are under an HAB ADVISORY
Lake 3 – Beach 6 remains under a HAB ADVISORY
Lake 4 – Beach 5 remains under a HAB ADVISORY
Lake 5 – Beach 7 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
HAB levels above are based on blue-green algae cell counts only.
No cyanotoxins were detected during the latest round of testing.
There are no restrictions at Beaches 1 and 7. Boating and fishing are allowed on all lakes, but members are cautioned to not ingest the water or fish.
Reminders:
- HAB WATCH = Proceed with caution.
- HAB ADVISORY = Swimming or bathing not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted, but avoid contact with or ingestion of lake water.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenge together. For more information on harmful algal blooms, visit NJDEP HAB Info.
Lake Conditions Update as of 8/1/25 3:45 PM
The following is based on HAB testing performed Thursday, July 31, prior to recent heavy rains.
Lake 1 – Beach 1 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
Lake 2 – Conditions at the Swim Lanes and Beach 2 have improved measurably and are now open under a HAB WATCH.
Beach 3 and Beach 4 will remain under a HAB ADVISORY pending further test results.
Lake 3 – Beach 6 has improved following the rain but will remain under a HAB ADVISORY pending further test results.
Lake 4 – Beach 5 has also improved but will remain under a HAB ADVISORY pending further test results.
Lake 5 – Beach 7 remains in very good condition with no restrictions.
HAB levels above are based on blue-green algae (cyanophyta) cell counts only. No cyanotoxins were detected during the tests.
As a reminder, a HAB ADVISORY means swimming or bathing are not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted. The HAB notices are posted in accordance with NJDEP public information and recreational use recommendations. More info on HABs is available here: https://dep.nj.gov/hab/
Lake Conditions Update as of 7/29/25 3:30 PM
Lake1/Beach 1: continues to be in good condition with both weeds and algae well under control with no restrictions and no excessive levels of cyanobacteria.
Lake 2: Beaches 2, 3, 4 and Swim Lanes remain posted for a HAB ADVISORY level. Samples collected on Monday show some signs of improvement at Beach 2 and Swim Lanes, but the ADVISORY will remain in effect until two consecutive tests show cell counts below the ADVISORY level.
Lake 3/Beach 6: Samples collected on Monday indicate the presence of an algae bloom in Lake 3. A HAB ADVISORY notice will be posted and continued testing will be performed to monitor conditions.
Lake 4/Beach 5: Signs of an emerging HAB which were reported last week have now increased to ADVISORY level. A HAB ADVISORY notice will be posted and continued testing will be performed to monitor conditions.
Lake 5/Beach 7: continues to be in good condition with both weeds and algae well under control with no restrictions and no excessive levels of cyanobacteria.
There are no restrictions at Beaches 1 and 7. Boating and fishing is allowed on all lakes, but members are cautioned to not ingest the water or fish.
We will continue to:
- Test water regularly with our professional lake consultants.
- Post notices based on NJDEP recommendations for HABs.
- Multiple strategies to reduce nutrients and algae are in place including chemical treatments, aeration, weed harvesting, and upcoming installations of UST and OST systems.
As a reminder, a HAB ADVISORY means swimming or bathing are not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted. The HAB notices are posted in accordance with NJDEP public information and recreational use recommendations.
Lake Conditions Update as of 7/22/25 9:30 AM
Test results show increased cyanobacteria cell counts at Lake 2. The tests did not show toxins.
Beach 2 is closed to swimming
Subsequent testing showed an increase in levels of cyanobacteria. The beach is closed for a HAB ADVISORY level.
Beach 3 is closed to swimming
Subsequent testing showed an increase in levels of cyanobacteria. The beach is closed for a HAB ADVISORY level.
Beach 4 and Swim Lanes are closed to swimming
Both Beach 4 and Swim Lanes remain at HAB WATCH level, but because the cell count is only slightly below the ADVISORY threshold and HABS will spread/move with wind and wave action, we are posting a HAB ADVISORY, pending more positive results.
As a reminder, a HAB ADVISORY means swimming or bathing are not recommended. Boating and fishing are permitted.
More info on HABs is available here: https://dep.nj.gov/hab/
Lake1, Lake 3, and Lake 5 continue to be in good condition with both weeds and algae well under control and no excessive levels of cyanobacteria.
Lake 4 is also in much better condition than in recent years, though some signs of a HAB are starting to emerge.
Another round of samples will be collected later this week, and an update will be provided if conditions change.
For more info on HABs, we urge you to visit the website at www.hlcc.org, the “Documents” section of the members portal, or the NJDEP HAB website at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab
Lake Conditions Update as of 7/15/25 1:30 PM
Beach 5 & 6 OPEN Following subsequent testing and acceptable levels recorded, Beach 5 & 6 are now open for swimming. For information about water testing contact the Sussex County Health Department
973-579-0370
Beach 3 is Closed to Swimming Swimming is temporarily prohibited at Beach 3 due to levels of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) above the NJDEP Advisory threshold cell count of >80,000 µg/L at Beach 3. While the cell count is high, it is important to note that NO TOXINS were detected in the sample. The Beach 3 area was treated today July 10 and this should reduce the level of cyanobacteria. All swim lessons scheduled at Beach 3 will be moved to Beach 4 until further notice. For more info on HABs, we urge you to visit our website at www.hlcc.org, the “Documents” section of our members portal, or the NJDEP HAB website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab/.
Beach 2 and Swim Lanes – July 15, 2025 – Out of abundance of caution, we’re issuing an HAB Watch.
Testing and treatment has been done and an update will be issued soon.
For more info on HABs, we urge you to visit the website at www.hlcc.org, the “Documents” section of the members portal, or the NJDEP HAB website at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab
Lake Conditions Update as of 7/10/25
The following is a summary of current lake conditions, observations.
In addition to inspection, testing and treatment protocols performed by our consultant Princeton Hydro, and treatment contractor Lake Management Sciences, all five lakes are checked for the presence of cyanobacteria or harmful algae bloom (HAB) conditions on an almost daily basis throughout most of the season. The following is a summary of current lake conditions, observations.
Beach 5 & 6 Closed to Swimming
Swimming is temporarily prohibited at Beach 5 & 6 due to elevated E. coli levels.
Water is being retested – updates will follow.
For further information about water testing contact the
Sussex County Health Department
973-579-0370
Beach 3 is Closed to Swimming
Swimming is temporarily prohibited at Beach 3 due to levels of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) above the NJDEP Advisory threshold cell count of >80,000 µg/L at Beach 3. While the cell count is high, it is important to note that NO TOXINS were detected in the sample. The Beach 3 area was treated today July 10 and this should reduce the level of cyanobacteria.
All swim lessons scheduled at Beach 3 will be moved to Beach 4 until further notice.
Please remember that HABs are not new and there is no treatment that is sure to prevent or eliminate them. HABs have been around for millennia and scientific researchers, governments, universities, and health and environmental organizations around the globe are cooperating to find ways to more effectively deal with HABs.
Your Voting Board remains committed to examining the latest research and technology and working with our consultants to develop plans for continued improvements in lake management with the goal of achieving sustainable long-term results.
For more info on HABs, we urge you to visit our website at www.hlcc.org, the “Documents” section of our members portal, or the NJDEP HAB website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/hab/.
Thank you.