An infestation of blood-sucking leeches is forcing the state to shut down the swimming area at a Catskill Mountain lake for two days.
Lake Minnewaska is closed to all users Tuesday and Wednesday so crews can apply copper sulfate to treat for the leeches. The closure applies to swimming, boating, scuba divers, fishing, drinking, irrigation and livestock or pet watering.
The appearance of the leeches originally prompted the state Office of Parks and Recreation to say the swimming area at the lake was closed. The announcement was changed early Monday.
The Lake Awosting swimming area remains open.
The area is located on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge.
Copyright The Associated Press
