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9/27/2024

WT Staff

HABs keeping you away from the lakes? Let us know how HABs have impacted your summer,

Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtny.us



September 27, 2024 945 am EDT

NY HAB Tracker
from NYS DEC and NOAA-NCCOS satellite monitoring program
Otsego Lake HAB confirmed near Leatherstocking Golf Course

NY Department of Environmental Conservation HABS Notifications

Four hundred and seven HABs confirmed active Friday, down from 435 yesterday. Otsego Lake is back on the impacted water bodies list with a single HAB confirmed off the west shore at the Biological Field Station of Copperstone Graduate Program SUNY, north of Leatherstocking Golf Course. A run of new bluegreen growth in Owasco Lake, now bearing 33 active blooms. Reports made prior to Sep 13 have been retired off the active list. The 2024 season archives currently contain 1376 reports.

See the bluegreen tags on the map to the right indicating the water bodies with at least one active HAB. When visiting the lakes, look for a clear access point to avoid contact with HABs.

Agawam Lake
  • Sep 24 2024 12 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County - reported by Stony Brook University
Alcove Reservoir
  • Sep 13 2024 1258 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed near Route 34 bridge in Albany County, reported by CAWD
Avon Marsh Dam Pond
  • Sep 19 2024 740 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Livingston County, reported by NY DEC staff
Basic Creek Reservoir
  • Sep 13 2024 1247 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed midlake in Albany County, reported by CAWD
Beaver Dam Lake, aka Beaverdam Lake8 active blooms including:
  • Sep 22 2024 1011 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the west shore of the north arm in Orange County, reported by the public
Bradley Brook Reservoir
  • Sep 15 2024 923 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed in Madison County, reported by the public
Canandaigua Lake 95 active HABS including:
  • Sep 23 2024 553 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore near Crystal Beach in Ontario County, reported by the CLWA
Cayuga Lake: 32 blooms confirmed including:
  • Sep 21 2024 850 am small localized HAB confirmed in the Mud Lock in Seneca County, reported by CSI
Cayuta Lake
  • Sep 14 2024 1209 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed in Schuyler County
Chautauqua Lake 4 blooms including:
  • Sep 20 2024 1231 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the west shore Bemus Point in Chautauqua County, reported by the public
Ellicott Creek 3 active blooms confirmed, including:
  • Sep 18 2024 414 pm large localized HAB confirmed near Eastern Park in Erie County, reported by the public
Fort Pond
  • Sep 17 2024 5 pm EDT HAB confirmed in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Harlem Meer
  • Sep 24 2024 839 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed in Manhattan
Hemlock Lake
  • Sep 12 2024 1202 pm EDT open water HAB confirmed in Livingston County, reported by the public
Honeoye Lake 2 blooms confirmed including:
  • Sep 14 2024 333 pm large localized HAB confirmed off the east shore Burns Point in Ontario County, reported by the Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force
Hyde Lake 17 HABs confirmed including:
  • Sep 22 2024 456 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed in Jefferson County, reported by the public
Kellis Pond
  • Sep 24 2024 1 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed in the north end of the water body in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Lake Champlain 5 HABs including:
  • Sep 20 2024 1235 pm small localized HAB confirmed in Essex County
Lake Clear 3 HABs including:
  • Sep 18 2024 1214 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the southwest shore Conley Rd in Franklin County, reported by the public
Lamoka Lake
  • Sep 13 2024 1114 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the east shore Cemetary Rd in Schuyler County, reported by the public
Marsh Creek
  • Sep 17 2024 1015 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by DEC Staff
Mecox Bay
  • Sep 18 2024 1 pm EDT confirmed south of Montauk HWY Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Mill Pond - Watermill
  • Sep 17 2024 1 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Morningside Pond
  • Sep 23 2024 233 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed midlake in Manhattan, reported by NYC Parks
Old Town Pond
  • Sep 24 2024 1 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Otsego Lake
  • Sep 24 2024 209 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the west shore north of Leatherstocking Golf Course, reported by the public
Owasco Lake 33 HABs confirmed, including:
  • Sep 20 2024 339 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the north shore west of Emerson Park in Cayuga County, reported by the public
Prospect Park Lake
  • Sep 24 2024 1030 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed in Brooklyn, reported by NYC Parks
Red House Lake 5 HABs confirmed, including:
  • Sep 24 2024 930 am small localized HAB confirmed off the southwest shore in Cattaraugus County, reported by NYS Parks
Roth Pond
  • Sep 18 2024 11 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Sagaponack Lake
  • Sep 17 2024 1 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed south of Bridge Lane in Suffolk County - reported by Stony Brook University
Seneca Lake 109 active HABs confirmed, including:
  • Sep 24 2024 1152 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed Seneca Lake near Dresden State Park, reported by Seneca Lake Pure Waters
  • Sep 15 2024 1243 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed in the north end off Seneca Lake State Park, reported by Seneca Lake Pure Waters
Skaneateles Lake 71 HABs confirmed, including:
  • Sep 20 2024 520 pm EDT open water HAB confirmed off Three Mile Point in Onondaga County, reported by the public
Swinging Bridge Reservoir
  • Sep 13 2024 340 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed off the east shore in Sullivan County, reported by the public
Summit Lake
  • Sep 11 2024 305 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the west shore in Washington County, reported by the public
Turtle Pond
  • Sep 11 24 2024 305 pm EDT widespread or lakewide HAB confirmed in Manhattan, reported by NYC Parks
Upper Chateaugay Lake
  • Sep 12 2024 230 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore in Clinton County, reported by the public
Wainscott Pond
  • Sep 18 2024 230 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
Washington Park Pond
  • Sep 16 2024 950 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed midlake in Albany County, reported by CAWD
HABs are automatically archived after two weeks. If HAB mat is still present, a new report is filed. WTNY tags active HABs on the map to the right.

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) HABs satellite monitoring program - Lake Champlain

The latest image of Lake Champlain was captured Sep 24 at an undetermined surface wind speed. This mostly obscured image reveals open water HABs dispersed from Baie Missisquoi at low concentration 100 thousand cells per ml. A prior image captured Sep 22 shows the open water HABs in Baie Missisquoi extending down past Alburg-Swanton Bridge into the channel on the west side of North Hero Island matching concentration color scale at 100 thousand cells per ml. St Albans Bay is cloud obscured in this latest image. A prior image captured Sep 20 showed open water HABs to the mouth of St Albans Bay 300 thousand cells per ml.

Note that low to moderate concentration blooms can be present and undetectable in the satellite image. If the wind conditions are higher than 4 mph, algal mats can become submerged and escape detection by surface imaging and ground based observation. The monitoring program for Lake Champlain does not as yet include a measure of wind speed, so we cannot be certain that we are seeing the full extent of any HAB activity. HAB activity was most prolific in April 2024, those observations are recorded below, many of the southern points in Lake Champlain have not had HAB activity since the end of April. More recent HAB sightings are included below where available, date of observation noted.
  • Baie Missisquoi- Canada Sep 24 open water HABs 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Baie Missisquoi- USA Sep 24 open water HABs 100 thousand cells per ml
  • St Albans Bay Vermontcloud obscured Sep 22, Sep 20 image shows large localized HAB 300 thousand cells per ml
  • Rouses Point April 26 - large and small open water HABs along west shore and open water 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area April 26 localized HABs along shorelines lake-side east and along the east shore of Kings Baywest side of the point 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Isle la Motte Sep 14 - widespread HAB in the channel between Isle la Motte and Alburg Dunes State Park 600 to 700 thousand cells per ml
  • Monty Bay April 26 localized HAB on shore 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
  • Point au Roche April 26 large localized HABs between Short Point and Long Point no concentration scale match available
  • North Hero Island Sep 20 open water HABs on the east side 300 thousand cells per ml
  • Treadwell Bay - no HABs
  • Cumberland Head - Cumberland Bay April 26 multiple small open water HABs 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Grand Isle Sep 20 2024 open water HABs on the east side 300 thousand cells per ml
  • South Hero Sep 14 small open water HABs 200 thousand cells per ml
  • Valcour Island Apr 26 large localized HABs the extent of west shoreline 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area no HABs evident
  • Port Kent no HAB activity
  • Port Douglass - Schuyler Island small localized HABs in the channel between west shore and Schuyler Island
  • Willsboro Point no HABs
  • Willsboro Bay Apr 26 multiple localized open water HABs 100 thousand cells per ml
  • Essex-Crater Club-Whallen Bay no HABs evident
  • Split Rock Mountain no HABs evident
  • Westport- North West Bay no HABs
  • Port Henry no HABs
  • Bullwagga Bay no HABs

Composited Cyanobacteria Index as reported by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, a visual scale based on true color imagery. Note: Winds above 4.0 mph may begin mixing the bloom and clouds may obscure it, leading to an underestimate of the area. Moderate and low concentrations may not be obvious to the eye.

The images are derived from Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite data from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and were processed by NOAA, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.


The ongoing challenge to adapt and mitigate the presence of HABS

The work of preventing dissolved reactive phosphates and nitrates from leaving the landscape and moving through the waterways into the lakes is a challenging task faced by state environmental authorities. Unchecked nutrient loading stimulates uncontrolled cyanobacteria growth, impairing the lake.

Some species of cyanobacteria can produce toxic compounds affecting the liver, hepatotoxins, which are particularly dangerous for dogs. The impact on humans is digestive upset, skin rashes and headaches, the impact on dogs is often fatal, there is no antidote to the effect of the toxin once ingested or absorbed by a dog.

The public is encouraged to report observations of HABs which are then checked and confirmed by state authorities and communicated to the public via HABs notifications page and alerts. WTNY.us rebroadcasts the HAB alerts through the monitoring season.

The confirmed presence of a HAB does not always mean there are toxins in the water. Water must be tested for the presence of specific cyanotoxins. Microcystins in the most common toxin tested by labs. A rapid test kit is also available, offering reliable results to 1 part per billion sensitivity. With toxin testing, the public can be directed to clean beaches and access points to the lake to avoid coming in contact with HABs.

Accidental spills of phosphate and nitrate-containing substances can contribute to HABs in excess of the managed TDML. The WTNY.us licensed map shows where hazardous spills can migrate with water. Select the pink radio button above the map to see only the spills, turn on the watershed layer and directional arrows. Get an idea of the number of spills reported in a given week and potential impact on the waterways.

Return here as we look into the specifics of the TMDL plans for Cayuga, Canandaigua and Owasco Lakes, and what is planned for stakeholder collaboration ahead of the 2024 HABs season, in efforts to minimize the HABs in the lakes this summer. More to follow. Check out www.wtoh.us to see how TMDL plans are used to manage the HAB load in Lake Erie, a drinking water source for 11 million people.

Drinking Water - Consumption
Advice from the NY DEC, "Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not any bloom is present. People not on public water supplies should avoid drinking surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated, because in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV), and water filtration units do not protect people from HABs toxins."

8 HABs remained on the current list at the close of the NY DEC official monitoring season, November 17, 2023.

Going into the freeze up and winter season, we will be looking at the HAB summaries by water body over the last five years. HAB Action Plans prepared for particular lakes will be highlighted here. HAB awareness and action plan implementation is very much driven from the local level. Find helpful information here on how to get involved in the protection of your favorite NY lakes ahead of the next bloom season.

As NY DEC is no longer monitoring and reporting new HABs, send your observations with a photo and location to alerts@wtny.us. These will be pinned on our map and reported as unconfirmed public observations.

HABS Harmful Algae Blooms
Get informed and stay safe around the water this summer
WaterToday collects algal bloom monitoring information from state and federal agencies including but not limited to the CDC, EPA, NOAA and state public health authorities.
HABs alerts are posted on our state maps according to the best available information reported by citizen groups, universities, state and/or federal monitoring agencies.
Before you head out to the beach, pond or stream, check with local authorities to confirm the latest HABs conditions.
Consider carrying a rapid test kit for micro-cystin, the most common of the cyanobacteria toxins.

Sources for algal bloom data.
National Centres for Coastal Ocean Science
A department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCCOS provides harmful algal bloom forecasting for certain water bodies and regions including.
 West Basin Lake Erie https.//coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-western-lake-erie-basin/
Lake Pontchartrain  https.//coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-lake-pontchartrain-la/

The forecasting is based on true color imagery provided by OLCI sensors on Copernicus Sentinel-3a satellite of the EUMETSAT group

Environmental Protection Agency Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN)
The mission of the CyAN project is to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes and estuaries by providing a useful and accessible approach to detecting and quantifying algal blooms and related water quality using satellite data records. 
What is CyAN.  Mobile and web-based application for cyanobacteria monitoring
How does it work?  Users can enter the coordinates or name of local water bodies for monitoring information. 
The CyAN project officially started October 1, 2015. It provided continental U.S. coverage using the
Envisat MERIS archive from 2002-2012
Sign up here. https.//www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-application-cyan-app

Centers for Disease Control

Environmental Public Health Tracking provides data and information on health outcomes, the environment, population, and exposures, including hazardous algal blooms occurring in water bodies of the USA, both freshwater and marine.

CDC Public Notice on Hazardous Algae Blooms
It is not possible to know if a large growth, or bloom, of algae or cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) is harmful just by looking at it. Some blooms make toxins (poisons), which can still be in the water even when you can’t see a bloom. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful algae and cyanobacteria, what to do if you or a pet is exposed to them, and how to help prevent these blooms.

Swimming and Wading.  Stay out of water with a bloom, rinse off if you or your pets are in contact with water
If you see signs of a bloom, stay out of the water and keep your pets out of the water. Do not fish, swim, boat, or play water sports in areas where this is possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria.
Do not go into or play in water that.

  • Smells bad
  • Looks discolored
  • Has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface
  • Has dead fish or other animals washed up on its shore or beach
Protect your pets and livestock from getting sick by keeping them away from water with possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria. Do not let animals.
  • Get in the water
  • Drink the water
  • Lick or eat mats of cyanobacteria or algae
  • Eat or graze near the water
  • Eat dead fish or other animals on the shore
  • Go on the beach or shoreline
If you or your pets do go in water that may have a bloom, rinse yourself and your pets immediately afterward with tap water from a sink, shower, hose, or outdoor spigot. Do not let pets lick their fur until they have been rinsed. Pets may have harmful algae, cyanobacteria, or related toxins on their fur if they swim or play in water with a bloom.
Do not fill pools with water directly from lakes, rivers, or ponds. The water could contain algal or cyanobacterial toxins or unsafe levels of germs.

Drinking Water.
Follow local guidance about toxins in tap water If you are notified of cyanobacteria or their toxins in your public drinking water supply, follow guidance from your local or state government or water utility to reduce the chances of you or your animals getting sick.
Harmful cyanobacteria may grow in water bodies that supply tap water. Although many water treatment plants can remove these toxins, tap water can be contaminated in certain situations. Cyanobacteria can also produce substances that are not harmful, but can change the taste or smell of tap water.
If you have concerns about the appearance, smell, or taste of tap water that you are using, contact your water utility or health department. Consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking until the problem is resolved.
Don’t boil water contaminated with toxins. Boiling water does not remove toxins and can concentrate the toxin.

 
Fish and shellfish.
Be aware of advisories and health risks related to eating contaminated fish and shellfish
Avoid eating very large reef fish (such as grouper or amberjack), especially the head, gut, liver, or roe (eggs). Large reef fish may be contaminated with ciguatoxin, the algal toxin that causes ciguatera fish poisoning. See the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance for more information on reef fish associated with unsafe levels of toxins.
Check for and follow local shellfish and fish advisories before eating any fish or shellfish you collect yourself. Algal and cyanobacterial toxins in fish or shellfish have no taste or odor. Cooking or preserving food does not remove toxins. Thus, you cannot tell if the seafood is safe by just looking at, smelling, or tasting it.

  • Check to see if shellfish beds are closed. State shellfish control authorities (usually state health departments or other state agencies) are required to control for toxins where harmful algal blooms are likely to occur and toxins could build up in shellfish. Common ways state authorities control for algal toxins include routine monitoring for toxic algae or shellfish and testing shellfish for toxins before or after harvesting. If levels of toxins are unsafe, state authorities will close the area for shellfish harvesting until shellfish are safe to eat.
  • Check safety advisories from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.

Report any concerns to your local public health authorities.

EPA notice to the public on harmful algae
Harmful algal blooms can be green, blue, red or brown. They can be scummy or look like paint on the surface of the water.
What are harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms are overgrowths of algae in water. Some produce dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water but even nontoxic blooms hurt the environment and local economies.
What are the effects of harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms can.

  • Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals
  • Create dead zones in the water
  • Raise treatment costs for drinking water
  • Hurt industries that depend on clean water

The EPA has a role in enforcing environmental protection regulations to limit discharges into water bodies that contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms.
The EPA also maintains list of Impaired Water Bodies by state, those water bodies that are not supporting their ideal uses for recreation, including swimming, fishing and wading.  The EPA works with state authorities to identify water bodies that are not supporting their intended recreational uses, to set daily maximum limits for contaminants and nutrient load for impaired water bodies.  The EPA works with state and other federal agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the Clean Water Act, with a role in ordering watershed plans that limit discharges to these water bodies to allow for recovery.
Follow WT Clean Water Act Crime Box to learn about the work of the EPA in historic criminal prosecutions involving illegal discharges to water bodies, or making false reports about discharges.









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