Filled with boaters, swimmers and fishermen--Westcott Beach is usually the perfect place for families to enjoy a summer day. But now, it looks like many families won't be taking a dip any time soon.

Westcott Beach is temporarily closed due to Blue-Green Algae.

"It just breaks my heart because people come from all over the state, out of the state to see relatives. It's been a beautiful summer and then for this to happen at the end, it's sad for those people," said Anne Adams a community resident.

Algal blooms can produce harmful toxins. They usually occur during hot and humid weather in nutrient rich water. Biology experts say this species of Algae is harmful to everything in the water. Jeffrey Kiggins a Biology Professor says, "The neuron toxins affect the nervous system of humans as well aquatic wildlife. It can kill fish; it can kill other wildlife in the lake."

If it spreads, it can cause a chain reaction of issues. "A clam might eat a million algal cells but then an otter might eat a hundred clams. So now that's 100 million algal cells inside that otter. And so on and so forth so you get bio concentration of the toxins as you go up the food pyramid," says Kiggins.

Kiggins says everyone in the area should be cautious." Certainly the greatest risk is eating shell fish. That's the great eyeballs like clams oysters and things like that," he said. 

Not all algal is harmful. Some only leave discoloration in the water leaving a smelly odor and bad taste. However until the water is tested here Westcott beach will remain closed. “Hopefully, they'll get it contained and Westcott will be back open for Labor Day," Adams said.