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6/27/2024

WT Staff

HAB Tracker
from NY DEC and NCCOS satellite program
Lake Champlain HAB


June 27, 2024 1205 pm EDT

NY Department of Environmental Conservation HABS Notifications

Forty-one HABs remain on the active notifications board Thursday, the same total reports as yesterday. Two new HAB reports have been confirmed overnight in Lake Champlain, a lakewide HAB is confirmed in The Lake in Central Park, another HAB confirmed for each of Agawam, Otisco and Conesus Lakes. New water bodies with HABs have been added in bluegreen tags on the map to the right. Water bodies cleared from the active HAB include Cross, Lamoka, Oneida, Song Lakes, Sodus Bay and an unnamed pond in Crossings Park in Colonie, Albany County. Multiple reports on any given water body are described in detail in the list below, the lakes are given in alphabetical order below.

Agawam Lake
  • June 26 2024 949 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County
  • June 20 2024 1240 pm EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County
Ashokan Reservoir June 18, 2024 130 pm small localized HAB confirmed in open water west of the Reservoir Rd bridge in Ulster County, reported by the NYC Dept of Environmental Protection

Beaverdam Lake
  • June 22 2024 935 am small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore main stem in Orange County
  • June 22 2024 913 am small localized HAB confirmed off the north point in Orange County
  • June 22 2024 908 am small localized HAB confirmed off the north shore near Homeowners Association in Orange County
  • June 21 2024 935 am small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore of the arm in Orange County
Braddock Bay June 19 2024 931 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed off Braddock Point in Monroe County


Cayuga Lake
  • June 16 1 pm large localized HAB confirmed off the west shore south of Glenwood Point
Chautauqua Lake
  • June 19 2024 901 am EDT Chautauqua Lake large localized HAB confirmed at the south shore of Bemus Point
  • June 16 230 pm small localized bloom confirmed off the north shore of Long Point State Park near Big Bar
  • June 15 3 pm small localized HAB confirmed on the south side of Long Point State Park near the boat launch
  • June 15 230 pm EDT small localized bloom confirmed on the south side of Long Point State Park
  • June 14 226 pm EDT Waneta Lake large localized HAB confirmed off the north shore in Schuyler County
Conesus Lake
  • June 26 930 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore near Cedarcrest in Livingston County, reported by NYS Dept of Health
  • June 21 1130 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the north shore Vitale Park in Livingston County
Honeoye Lake June 19 2024 12 pm EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the north shore in Ontario County

Findley Lake June 16 2024 1051 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed off the east shore in Chautauqua County

Kensico Reservoir June 13 1115 am EDT - large localized HAB confirmed midlake in Westchester County

Keuka Lake June 21 2024 11 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the north shore in the east arm, Yates County

Lake Champlain
  • June 26 1123 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off Pointe au Roche shoreline in the bay between Short Point and Middle Point, reported by NYC Parks staff
  • June 26 903 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off Pointe au Roche shoreline in the bay between Middle Point and Long Point, reported by NYC Parks staff
Lake in Central Park
  • June 26 1037 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed mid-water in Manhattan, reported by NYC Parks staff
Little Tupper Lake June 16 1 pm Lake widespread HAB confirmed off the north shore near Sabatti Rd

Long Pond June 20 2024 2pm small localized HAB confirmed in the southeast corner of the water body in Suffolk County

Mill Pond - Watermill
  • June 24 2024 1157 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
  • June 19 2024 928 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed off the north shore in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University

  • North Sandy Pond June 25 1259 pm small localized HAB confirmed south of Green Point in Oswego County


Otisco Lake
  • June 26 2024 930 am EDT small localized HAB confirmed near shore south and east of Rice Grove in Onondanga County, reported by the public
  • June 25 2024 1139 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the shoreline of Rice Grove in Onondanga County, reported by the public
  • June 21 2024 959 am EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the east shore north of Fitzgerald Point in Onondaga County

Poxabogue Pond June 20 2024 1152 am EDT HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County

Roth Pond
  • June 19 2024 1022 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County


Tuscarora Lake June 21 1205 pm small localized HAB confirmed in open water in the south half of the lake in Madison County


Wainscott Pond
  • June 24 1110 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed midlake in Suffolk County, reported by Stony Brook University
  • June 19 848 am EDT widespread HAB confirmed off the south shore in Suffolk County

Waneta Lake
  • June 14 226 pm EDT large localized HAB confirmed off the north shore in Schuyler County
  • Wolf Pit Lake June 18 2024 559 pm EDT HAB reported off the north shore halfway on in Suffolk County
    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 from NCCOS was captured June 26 at an undetermined surface wind speed. This image is partially cloud obscured with a widespread HAB appearing in the northeast Lake Champlain across on the Canadian side of the border, presenting a widespread HAB 600 thousand cells per 100 ml water. A previous image captured June 25 showed this HAB mass further west and slightly lower concentration.

    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. HAB activity has been observed in throughout Lake Champlain in the latter part of April, these observations are included here for reference.

    The following observations of HABs in Lake Champlain are made from the April 26 image:
    • Rouses Point large and small open water HABs along west shore and open water 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area localized HABs along shorelines lake-side east and along the east shore of Kings Baywest side of the point 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Isle la Motte - Chazy Landing localized HABs along Isle la Motte west shore and Chazy Landing shore 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Monty Bay localized HAB on shore 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Point au Roche small localized HABs along shoreline 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • North Hero no HABs noted
    • Treadwell Bay - no HABs seen
    • Cumberland Head - Cumberland Bay multiple small open water HABs 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Grand Isle large localized HAB at northwest shore, small localized HABs running along the west shoreline 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • South Hero localized HABs on west shore, 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Valcour Island large localized HABs the extent of west shoreline 100 thousand cells per 100 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 multiple localized open water HABs 100 thousand cells per 100 ml
    • Essex-Crater Club-Whallen Bay no HABs evident
    • Spilt 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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