9/3/2024
WT Staff
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September 3, 2024 updated 406 pm EDT
Missing the Lake Champlain Baie Missisquoi HAB - is it gone, or just hidden from view?
WT HAB Tracker from the satellite monitoring program of the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science(NCCOS), Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) and State sources where available
The first full week of September starts with 388 confirmed HABs in NYS, down from 400 Labor Day as reports made prior to Aug 20 were removed to the archives overnight. Half a dozen Finger Lakes account for the majority of these bluegreen algae reports, Seneca Lake alone hosts 88 HABs. The archive for 2024 has reached 695 reports, reports confirmed this season already numbering all of 2023 HAB season with many weeks to go. The latest impacted water body list is available here, updates are in progress as new reports are confirmed by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
A satellite image of Lake Champlain supplied by the NCCOS gives added insight to the HAB situation, the full color image analyzed with sensors revealing concentration bluegreen cells per ml. A higher concentration bloom can indicate presence of cyanotoxin, guidingng local environmental and public health where to sample, and test for the most common toxins. US EPA Health Advisories indicate a maximum level for cyanotoxins in recreational and in drinking water where no harm to health would be expected over a ten day period of consumption. Levels measured above this guidance may lead local authorities to post beach advisories to warn the public. WTNY covered State and US EPA guidance on cyanotoxins in drinking water and recreational water, here earlier in the season.
The satellite imaging and concentration estimate for Lake Champlain is one of nine such freshwater HAB projects in the continental US, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science tackling the priority areas first with the experimental technology, leading to more efficient and effective public health surveillance at the local level. The latest image of Lake Champlain was snapped September 1, a partially cloud obscured view. The Baie Missisquoi HAB is no longer visible in the last few images provided by NCCOS, two months after it appeared, the widespread, high concentration bloom first noted in June no longer observed. St Albans Bay HAB is widespread shore to shore at 700 to 800 thousand cells per ml, the Lake Carmi HAB is lakewide, around the same concentration 700 to 800 thousand cells. The wind speed is not recorded on these images, if over 4 mph the wind could be causing the bloom mat to mix down into the water column. An image taken on Aug 29 showed the Baie Missisquoi HAB along the north shore in Canada at 2 to 3 million cells per ml by the concentration color scale and Maquam Bay showing the first signs of HAB for the season, low concentration below 100 thousand cells per 100 ml. Water east of Shelburne Bay, likely Shelburne Pond, continues with a lakewide HAB 2 million cells. See the NCCOS color images, here.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Jeffersonville has been under Boil Water Advisory due to a leak under State Route 52 causing a loss of water and low or no pressure in most areas of the Village yesterday. The BWA is a precautionary measure applied to remove any microbiological contaminants that can enter the lines when water pressure drops below a minimum threshhold.
Lewisboro is under a Boil Water Advisory issued Thursday August 29 by Westchester County Department of Health for all residents served by Wild Oaks Water. The BWA was prompted by the failure of disinfection equipment and required until Friday at minimum.
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