Beaches, Ponds Update: What's Open, Closed In Rhode Island?

With just a few days of summer vacation left, several beaches and freshwater bodies across Rhode Island are closed to the public. If you're having trouble keeping track of where is safe to swim, Patch is here to help. Here's a look at what's closed around the state, as of Monday.

On August 9, the Rhode Island Department of Health warned that seven bodies of water had toxic blue-green algae blooms, which is dangerous to both humans and pets. All seven of those waterbodies, including five in Roger Williams Park, are still unsafe for fishing, swimming or any other recreation. They are:

• Almy Pond, Newport
• Sisson Pond, Portsmouth
• JL Curran Reservoir, Cranston
• Mashapaug Pond, Providence
• Melville Ponds, Portsmouth
• Polo Lake, Roger Williams Park
• Japanese Gardens, Roger Williams Park
• Pleasure Lake, Roger Williams Park
• Roosevelt Lake, Roger Williams Park
• Elm Lake, Roger Williams Park

All of the ponds in Roger Williams Park are interconnected, except for Deep Spring Lake, meaning that visitor should be on the lookout for algae blooms anywhere in the park.

On August 16, Coventry's Carbuncle Pond was added to the list after an algae bloom was found in the water.

Earlier this month, Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield was reopened after an algae bloom from earlier in the summer cleared out. The Department of Health said recent samples show low levels of bacteria in the water, which could lead to another, larger bloom. Pond conditions can change day-to-day and any contact with water that has a cloudy, green or scummy surface should be avoided.

Blue-green algae blooms contain toxins that can cause serious illness or death, particularly for children and pets.

Meanwhile, just a handful beaches are currently closed to swimming for high bacteria levels. The Kent County YMCA Upper and Lower Ponds in Warwick are both closed at this time, along with Third Beach in Middletown. Beach closures frequently change by the day, and the latest information is available on the department's website or by calling the prerecorded beach line at 401-222-2751.