October 27, 2022
Our new AlgaeWatch program is working!
One of our volunteer AlgaeWatchers notified the LGA and NYSDEC of a suspicious concentration of cyanobacteria (photo above) along the shoreline of Basin Bay, which is now being studied by scientists with The Jefferson Project, the environmental research collaboration between the LGA, RPI and IBM Research.
Cyanobacteria blooms can be classified by NYSDEC as “harmful algal blooms (HABS)” if they meet certain criteria. In some cases, HABs can produce toxins and be of danger to humans and our pets. None of the previously confirmed harmful algal blooms on Lake George were found to be toxic.
The LGA thanks AlgaeWatch volunteer Matt Finley for his prompt action. The sooner we learn about excessive amounts of algae in the Lake, the sooner the blooms can be investigated and determinations can be made as to potential causes and future prevention. We encourage everyone who lives or works on the Lake, or spends considerable time there, to sign up as an LGA AlgaeWatcher. Now is the perfect time. Our recent weather conditions – calm, sunny, and unseasonably warm – are prime for the formation of cyanobacteria, which look like small green specks or pollen floating on the water, typically along the shoreline. Please use this link to NYSDEC's HAB library to familiarize yourself with what a HAB can look like and help us protect Lake George today.
And be sure to check out the recent news coverage of AlgaeWatch from The Post-Star, WTEN and Adirondack Almanack.