It’s challenging weeks like this past one that prove how dedicated CLWA volunteers are to our programs. We can’t thank all of our AMAZING water quality monitoring volunteers enough for being so diligent during this highly intense week of blooms. If you know someone who volunteers their time to this program, please make an effort to thank them the next time you see them. Maybe even give them a hug!

These folks give a lot of their time to help keep us all informed on lake conditions and help to educate the community of the risks posed by cHABS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you fabulous volunteers!

As we head into the holiday weekend, unfortunately it’s necessary for us all to continue to monitor conditions before deciding to recreate on the Lake. We are continuing to get bloom reports into today, only extending the intensity we have already seen this week. Lake conditions can change daily, if not hourly, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with cyanoHABs and know what to look for to stay safe during this bloom season. Please refer to all the resources found at the bottom of this email to educate yourself fully.

Since last Friday, of the 94 reports submitted by our trained cHAB volunteers, 61 were bloom reports. To date, 48 of them have been confirmed by either the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) or the NYSDEC. (The DEC confirmation is made by visual inspection of photos submitted by volunteers and there is frequently a lag of several days as the NYSDEC reviews the reports.) We have also confirmed several samples with extreme toxicity. (See the chart below) This is remarkable as it is the longest continuous number of days that blooms were reported (7) since the program began in 2018.

There have also been a total of 7 public reports submitted to the NYSDEC NYHABs portal, 2 on the east side and 5 on the west, that have been confirmed as blooms by the NYSDEC. We appreciate folks who are sharing photos of suspected blooms. If you ever see water that looks suspicious please take 3 good photos with your location service on and report it to the public report form at the NYSDEC NYHABs portal: on.ny.gov/habform

The cHABS map on our website is updated more frequently than the DEC’s NYHABS – please check here first for the most current information available. https://www.canandaigualakeassoc.org/…/shoreline-habs…/

Some of the CLWA cHAB Monitoring Program volunteers collect samples which we have analyzed for both the cyanoCHL (BGA) concentration and the microcystin (toxin) levels. Because of the cost to perform this analysis, samples are selectively sent to either the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) and/or the lab at SUNY-ESF as part of our three year research project with Dr. Greg Boyer.

The NYSDEC considers a sample with concentrations of 25ug/L or greater of cyanoCHL to be a cHAB. This analysis is performed by an instrument called a fluoroprobe which measures the fluorescence of the blue green algae.

Measurements for toxins can be performed in several ways. The Finger Lakes Institute uses the EPA 546 Test Method called ELISA. This is the NYS certified method and FLI is a state certified lab. The lab at SUNY-ESF uses LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry). This is a highly accurate measurement, but the lab at SUNY-ESF is not NYS certified because it is primarily a research institution.

Fluoroprobe CyanoChl and Toxin Results Year to Date from FLI

(based on the presence or absence of known cyanobacteria toxins)

Blue-green algae may pose a risk from compounds other than the measured toxins and therefore all blooms should be avoided.

• The most commonly found cyanobacteria in Canandaigua Lake (microcystis), read: As We Drink and Breathe: Adverse Health Effects of Microcystins and Other Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins in the Liver, Gut, Lungs and Beyond
• For info on cHABS in humans: Health Effects Support Document for the Cyanobacterial Toxin Microcystins

We apologize for the inconvenience, but CLWA will continue to have limited hours until next Wednesday, 9/4/24. Please continue to reach out with any questions at HABS@canandaigualakeassoc.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can continue to reference our website, contact the Watershed Manager at 585.396.3630 or your local/municipal beach operator to help answer any questions or concerns.

Warm & wetter trends are common. Our best shot at reducing cHABs is to reduce the nutrients carried downhill by streams and into the lake. Please continue your efforts to keep road ditches, stream banks, shorelines clear of organic debris (fall leaves, pet waste, and “seaweed”). We here at CLWA wish you a relaxing and safe end to the unofficial end of Summer.