Residents are being warned to avoid a popular lake in western Massachusetts after health officials found possible evidence of harmful algae.
The Berkshire Eagle reports Pittsfield officials are telling residents not to swim, fish or boat on Pontoosuc Lake after the state's Department of Public Health found visual evidence of the algae.
More tests will be done next week to check for the presence of harmful blue-green algae, which can grow rapidly in warm weather and cause a range of health problems.
Pittsfield officials have posted warning signs near the lake and urge residents to avoid contact with water until it's deemed safe.
Massachusetts health officials have issued advisories warning of harmful algae blooms in eight other areas throughout the state, including in the Charles River near Boston and Cambridge.
