CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is warning people about potentially harmful blue-green algae at Black Lake.

The advisory was issued today because a blue-green algae bloom has been visually identified in Black Lake, the PHD said in a press statement.

People and animals should avoid contact with any harmful algae blooms, scums and colored water, the department warns.

Blue-green algal blooms can turn the water green and can form thick scums on the water surface. Blue-green algae can cause skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and vomiting if ingested. People and animals should keep out of the water where blooms are present.

The PHD recommends taking the following precautions:

• don’t swim, wade or fish near blooms or scums

• don’t drink the water

• keep children and animals away from any blooms or scums

• rinse with clean water if exposed.

They advise people to report to their primary care provider any symptoms that may be associated with exposure to blue-green algae blooms, such as skin or eye irritation, or diarrhea and vomiting.

Learn more about blue-green algae at: www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm and www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has also created a webpage with updated information on the locations of suspected or confirmed blooms at https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba739ed9723e6e.

For more information, visit https://www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealth or call the Public Health Department at 315-386-2325.