Water Quality Update for August 13, 2021

Welcome to your Friday Water Quality Update! So far this week: · 30 surveys performed · No blooms reported This week’s update will be short and sweet. There have been no blooms reported this week by CLWA volunteers or watershed staff. We have been seeing an overall increase in the weekly average water clarity as reported by Secchi Disk volunteers. There was a meter increase in the weekly average up from last week!

Comparing the secchi disk readings from this time last year (2nd week in August), we saw better average clarity by more than 2.5 meters. In 2020, the weekly average clarity the second week in August was 4.37 meters, and in 2021, it was 7.02 meters. It will be interesting to closely track changes in clarity in the coming weeks as we transition into the season where we have historically seen bloom events (late August / early September).

Conditions can change quickly in August, 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. 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. To report suspicious blooms, use HABS@canandaigualakeassoc.org. This email address is monitored by CLWA and Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council staff. Enjoy your weekend!