Almaden Lake Park Closed for What's Left of Summer

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) - One of the only outdoor swimming facilities to survive budget cuts in Santa Clara County will now be closed the rest of the summer because of toxic algae.

The blue green algae bloom that caused a temporary closure of the popular swimming hole in July turned out to be more stubborn than park officials originally anticipated.

Park visitors can still cycle, walk and run, but the swimming area will remain taped off and closed, said the park's acting facility supervisor, Robert Reynolds.

There are a couple theories about what's behind the bloom.

Jeff Micko, engineering manager for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, said cooler weather this summer is one possibility. The lower water level in the lake is another, he said, since a diversion dam normally in place at Guadalupe Creek during the summer wasn't installed this year.