Water Quality Update for September 8, 2020
After a “quiet” couple of weeks with minimal harmful algal bloom reports from staff, volunteers and the public, today’s calm, sunny and hot weather has encouraged a substantial increase in Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) throughout much of Canandaigua Lake’s 36 miles of shoreline. We have completed visual inspections, collected samples and have received numerous reports from the north end all the way down to the Woodville area and on both sides of the lake. In most areas it is light streaking and heavy dots at the shoreline area, however we have several reports and pictures of pea soup concentrations of HABs, most notably in the northeast section of the lake. We are also getting reports of mid-lake streaking as well.
While the sunny, calm, warm weather forecasted for the next few days will be great for getting in those end-of-summer activities, it is also ideal conditions for blue green algae (cyanobacteria) to pop up. As we cannot predict when or where blooms may appear, please continue to use your visual indicators before recreating in the lake. Please use caution before letting your pets in the water as well (check out this Dogs and HABs brochure for more information). September has been the month when we have experienced our most significant bloom events. A few recent samples of moderate blooms had high levels of cyanotoxins- so it is critical to avoid areas that have HABs streaking at the surface to full, dense HABs.
The pictures below are examples of the blooms that we have seen today that need to be avoided. It is also critical to avoid areas that are green and cloudy as well.
Thanks to all that sent in reports today.
Kevin Olvany
Watershed Program Manager, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council
Lindsay McMillan
Association Director, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association