So far this week:
• 38 surveys performed
• 7 Blooms reported
Welcome to your Friday Water Quality Update!
The good news is that the vast majority of our 10,500 acre lake and 36 miles of shoreline remains free of significant concentrations of blue green algae (cyanobacteria). As of 3:00 PM today (Friday) we have had zero bloom reports. Over the last two weeks, we have done two rounds of testing in 9 locations to look at average levels of blue green algae in the open water and all test results are showing low levels of cyanobacteria that are well below bloom levels. Secchi Disk measurements by staff and volunteers are also showing that our water clarity is holding at about 5.0-5.5 meters on average. The cloudy weather and slight north winds today have reduced any potential for blooms to form. Watershed staff looked at several locations on both the east and west sides of the lake and conditions at these locations looked clear as of 12:00 PM.
However, yesterday (Thursday) proved that conditions can change quickly. Yesterday, we had multiple reports of isolated blooms on the east side of the lake- especially in the Cottage City/Crystal Beach area. Deep Run Beach in Gorham (run by Ontario County) closed yesterday due to some visible concentrations of blue green algae. NYS Department of Health will test the water on Monday to determine if the beach can re-open.
Recent rains and duckweed
We were also reminded this week that the lake is connected to a larger ecosystem and watershed area. The rains of last week raised the level of the lake by about 9 inches. Although the lake surface received about 2 inches of rain on average- the 109,000 acre drainage area contributed the other seven inches of water in the lake. There is about 300 million gallons of water in an inch of lake depth- so approximately 2.1 billion gallons of water flowed into the lake from the surrounding watershed! The main outlet gates have been opened since the storms of last week and the lake level has been lowered by about 4.5 inches to 688.75 feet above sea level.
The southern half of the watershed, especially the Naples and Middlesex/Italy area had closer to 4 inches of rain. We had significant flooding in the Naples Creek watershed. The stream flow from Naples Creek and the West River ultimately flows through the High Tor wetland system. This wetland system supports a tremendous amount of duckweed and watermeal (harmless tiny aquatic plants) as part of this ecosystem. The major streamflows pushed much of this duckweed and watermeal into the lake. Within a week, we have seen these visually imposing floating mats make their way to the north end of the lake - 15 miles!
Duckweed and watermeal are harmless tiny floating aquatic plants that grow in the High Tor wetland system and are an important part of this ecosystem. However, many other items including debris and blue green algae can sometimes get caught up in these dense mats of duckweed, so please use caution if boating or swimming in them.
As we move into the weekend, if the hot weather combines with sunny/calm conditions, we can expect isolated blooms of blue green algae (cyanobacteria) to occur. If you notice discolored water, streaking, or surface scums - please avoid these areas. Conditions can change quickly so please use your visual indicators before going in the water. Look for signs of concentrations of algae. As recommended by the DEC, if you see it, avoid it.
If you have a question on a suspected bloom, please feel free to send in a photograph to HABs@canandaigualakeassoc.org. This email address is monitored by CLWA and Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council staff. We may be able to assist with identification though a clear photograph.
Volunteers and watershed staff will be continuing daily observations throughout August and September and we will communicate any significant changes in bloom activity through our weekly email updates, on our websites, and on the Association's facebook page.
Enjoy your weekend!
Good Afternoon,
We wanted to share a quick update on current lake conditions.
With the hot weather and calm winds, conditions are ripe for concentrations of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) to possibly reach bloom levels. We have received reports from the east side of the lake this afternoon showing areas of surface algae streaking. We also learned that the Deep Run public beach in the Town of Gorham was closed today to due algae. If you notice discolored water, streaking, or surface scums - please avoid these areas. Multiple inspections on the west side of the lake by watershed staff are showing clear conditions right now. Conditions can change quickly so please use your visual indicators before going in the water.
We are also getting reports from the public showing large green patches of suspected algae in the middle of the lake and along the shoreline area (see images below). These large patches are actually duckweed and watermeal, which are tiny aquatic plants that may form floating green “mats”. The 4 inches of rain that hit Naples and the West River last week caused these streams to push tremendous amounts of duckweed and watermeal out of the High Tor wetland system and into the lake. We have been getting many reports of these floating patches of duckweed over the last few days.
We will share a full update tomorrow with results from this week’s water samples collected by watershed staff and volunteers.
Thanks Everyone!
Kevin Olvany
Watershed Program Manager, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council
Lindsay McMillan
Association Director, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association
Welcome to your Friday Water Quality Update!
So far this week: • 33 surveys performed • 5 suspicious blooms reported this afternoon (Friday 8/20)
This afternoon, we received 5 reports of streaking of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) in the northern section of the lake. Volunteers are reporting areas of light surface streaking and suspended algae in the water column (“dots in the water”). We wanted to make the public aware that the calmer, sunnier conditions may allow for concentrations of cyanobacteria to accumulate in isolated areas along the shoreline, or even out on the lake.
The recent intense rain events on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning (Hurricane Fred) have resulted in high water levels and areas with reduced clarity. While Canandaigua Lake does not have an active boating advisory in effect issued by the Sheriff, we strongly encourage boaters to use caution with their wake and to be aware of the potential for floating debris and tree limbs that may have washed into the lake. The southern end of the watershed experienced more runoff therefore has a higher potential for debris. Neighboring Finger Lakes like Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga were also hit hard by these storms and have seen areas with significant flooding and damage to shorelines.
Now that we’ve had a few bloom reports come in this afternoon, conditions may be right for more observations of cyanobacteria in the coming days, so please continue to use your visual indicators to look for signs of active bloom conditions. As recommended by the DEC, if you see it, avoid it.
If you have a question on a suspected bloom, please feel free to send in a photograph to HABs@canandaigualakeassoc.org. This email address is monitored by CLWA and Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council staff. We may be able to assist with identification though a clear photograph.
Volunteers and watershed staff will be continuing daily observations throughout August and September and we will communicate any significant changes in bloom activity through our weekly email updates, on our website, and on the Associations facebook page.
Enjoy your weekend!
