Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, are a growing problem in the Adirondacks and worldwide. HABs, have been reported in several Adirondack lakes in recent years, including in the Upper Saranac watershed.
These blooms can produce toxins that can cause health effects in people and animals. Areas with HABs should not be used as a water source for drinking or cooking, to recreate in, or have pets around.
Cyanobacteria is naturally present in low numbers but under certain conditions, including adequate nutrient availability, warm temperatures, and calm winds, cyanobacteria may multiply rapidly and form blooms that are visible on the surface of the waterbody.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself from HABs:
Know it: HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.
HABs are likely triggered by a combination of water and environmental conditions such as:
- excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen);
- lots of sunlight;
- low-water or low-flow conditions;
- calm water; and
- warm temperatures.
Avoid it: Because it is hard to tell a HAB from non-harmful algal blooms, it is best to avoid any algal bloom.
- People and pets should avoid contact with any floating mats, scum, or discolored water. Colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown, or red.
- Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present.
- People not on public water supplies should not drink surface water during an algal bloom
Report it: If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, please report it to the DEC or the USF Lake Manager lakemanager@usfoundation.net. Fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form. Identify the location and attach a digital photo(close-up and landscape to show extent and location) of the suspected HAB in the web form.
What do they Look Like?
If contact occurs:
Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae. Stop using water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties occur after drinking or having contact with blooms or untreated surface water.
You should inform your physician and your local health department if you were exposed to an algal bloom, both to help determine the proper course of treatment and to determine if others should also be notified of this potential risk.
Report any health symptoms to NYS Health Department at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.
How to prevent HAB occurrences:
While we know from emerging research that climate change could be one factor that plays role in HAB formations. We also know that nutrients drive plant growth, and that excessive phosphorus and nitrogen is a cause of HABs. The Foundation’s watershed management efforts are targeting measures to reduce the input of phosphorus and nitrogen to the region’s water bodies to slow eutrophication.
When we look at improving our water quality, we need to look at what’s happening on the land and take land-based actions. Preventative measures include management of septic systems, reducing or eliminating use of lawn fertilizers, and better stormwater management.
As our lakes continue to be influenced locally by land uses and regionally by climate change, the Environmental Monitoring Platform becomes an increasingly valuable resource. It not only helps us understand what is happening to the lake, but it also improves our understanding of how lakes are changing. The platform supports good science that guides management and empowers our communities to act for the protection of the watershed and, potentially, could prevent HAB blooms from occurring.