The Manasquan Reservoir advisory regarding harmful algae has been lifted and normally permitted recreational activities at the Monmouth County Park System’s facility in Howell may resume without restriction.
On Aug. 24, the park system announced that all restrictions had been lifted.
The announcement came three weeks after park system administrators confirmed that a harmful algal bloom (HAB) was present in the reservoir “with levels quantified at or above the New Jersey Health Advisory Guidance.”
On Aug. 7, administrators warned the public not to drink or have contact with the water in the reservoir. They advised that fish caught in the reservoir should not be eaten.
According to the Monmouth County Park System website, the Manasquan Reservoir is a source of water for municipalities and utilities. The reservoir is also a natural setting for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits.
Freshwater HABs are formed from bacteria carried in by nutrients primarily from septics and lawn and garden fertilizer. The algae can cause severe skin rashes. If swallowed, the polluted water can cause abdominal pain, headaches and vomiting, according to the New Jersey Sierra Club.
