Multiple Cyanobacteria Advisories In Nickerson To Be Lifted

September 10, 2025

by Mackenzie Blue

A map of Nickerson State Park shows the locations of Flax Pond and Cliff Pond, where cyanobacteria advisories have been in place since last month. FILE PHOTO

BREWSTER – On Aug. 19 a cyanobacteria bloom was spotted in Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park. A few weeks later, on Sep. 1, another bloom was observed in Flax Pond.

While there is some information on what factors enable the blue-green algae blooms, a spokesperson for the state’s department of conservation and recreation said the two instances were not linked and coincidentally overlapped.

Environmental factors like warm temperatures and high nutrients can lead to the naturally growing microorganisms to grow in excess.

State park officials said blooms do not spread from pond to pond and often dissipate in colder weather. They indicated that the reported cyanobacteria blooms have since visually dissipated. State public health officials sampled water at both ponds on Thursday, Sept. 4 and preliminary results indicated the blooms are likely over.

The advisory is expected to be lifted this week after a second round of water testing is conducted.

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