Morris town beach reopens, water is safe

The beach has reopened after it was closed in recent days due to a bloom of blue-green algae.

TORRINGTON >> The Morris town beach on Bantam Lake has re-opened, according to town First Selectman Tom Weik, after it was closed in recent days due to a bloom of blue-green algae.

Sandy Beach has not reopened yet, Weik said Friday, but officials hope to do so once they can staff the area with a sufficient number of lifeguards.

Thomas Stansfield of the Torrington Area Health District said that the organization recommended the two Morris beaches be reopened to the public after a visual inspections of the lake.

“The algae bloom does not appear to be a risk to those beaches,” said Stansfield. The health district did not recommend that the Litchfield Town Beach at the same time, he said. The district is planning to continue observations there in the coming days.

The bloom could return in the future, Stansfield said — the possibility is dependent on the weather, he said.

The beaches were closed Aug. 13, according to past reporting, and remained closed as of Aug. 17.

The third annual Bantam Lake Day was held Aug. 20, despite the beach being closed, and featured live music, informational presentations on bees and bats, and hot dogs and hamburgers.

Several hundred people attended the event, according to past reporting.

All three beaches are used from May to September by residents and visitors to the lake in Litchfield and Morris.

BEN LAMBERT - THE REGISTER CITIZEN Morris Town Beach was deemed safe for visitors this week after an algae outbreak earlier this month resulted in its closure by the area health department.

FILE PHOTO —THE REGISTER CITIZEN The Morris Town Beach on Bantam Lake, one of three beaches in Litchfield and Morris, was deemed safe for swimming this week after an algae outbreak earlier this month resulted in its closure by the area health department.