A stretch of tan sand sits quiet along the shoreline of Wenscott Reservoir, where the water appears still and inviting in the summer heat. But step into the lake, and the water tells a different story.
On Tuesday, North Providence announced that swimming at Notte Park Beach is once again prohibited after state health officials issued a cyanobacteria advisory. The closure—the second at the park this summer—leaves local families looking elsewhere for relief from the heat during the final weeks before Labor Day.
The Rhode Island Department of Health, the state agency that oversees water quality testing across licensed beaches, determined the water is currently unsafe for swimming or wading. The beach previously closed from July 2 to July 16 under a similar advisory before briefly reopening.
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Cyanobacteria—commonly known as blue-green algae—are microscopic organisms naturally found in freshwater ecosystems. Under conditions of warmth and elevated nutrients, they rapidly multiply into blooms that resemble spilled green paint or thick pea soup.
The organisms carry real risks: direct contact can cause skin rashes, sore throats, and gastrointestinal illness in humans, while proving toxic to pets. The result is a strict health rule: do not swim, play, or fish in water displaying a visible bloom.
While the water is off-limits, the surrounding park remains open to the public. Visitors can still use the walking paths, picnic grounds, playground, and tennis courts at the municipal facility, which is named after John A. Notte Jr., Rhode Island’s governor from 1961 to 1963.
Checking water conditions
The closure at Notte Park Beach is not an isolated event. Heavy July rain across New England has washed nutrients into lakes and coastal waters, triggering similar algae advisories and bacteria closures throughout the region.
Nearby, health officials and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management recently lifted a recreational advisory at Wenscott Reservoir itself after follow-up testing showed algae levels dropped and no toxins were detected. Water quality conditions can shift quickly as new samples are processed.
State officials plan to monitor licensed freshwater and saltwater beaches through Labor Day. Swimmers looking to check beach statuses before heading out can call the state's beach hotline at 401-222-2751 or check state health records online.