Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake, captured in this aerial photo by John McCredie.

ALBANY – Chautauqua Lake was named one of 12 lakes in the state to receive a portion of $65 million to combat harmful algal blooms (Or HABs) that “threaten recreational use of lakes as well as drinking water.”

As part of his soon-to-be unveiled 2018 State of the State address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo discussed a four-point initiative regarding the conditions of priority lakes. Cuomo said 12 priority lakes — including Chautauqua Lake — are vulnerable to HABs and are critical sources of drinking water and vital tourism drivers.

As part of the proposal, the state will provide $500,000 per lake to develop immediate action plans to reduce sources of pollution that spark algal blooms.

The funding will have to be approved by the state legislature in the 2018-19 fiscal budget, which is due by April 1, 2018.

A Blue Green Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Department of Health)

WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on his colleagues to help address the growing algae problem being seen in waterways across the state, including here in Chautauqua County.

On the heels of reports confirming that harmful algae continues to spread throughout Upstate New York, Schumer is calling on Congress to quickly pass the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act.

Schumer said the bill would help combat the recent rise in toxic algae found in Upstate New York. And Schumer warned, that left unchecked, these toxic blooms could contaminate drinking water for Upstate New York residents, as well as damage the local economy dependent on fishing and recreation.

Schumer said that the bill, sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), provides funding, but also $22 million a year for five-years for research and response efforts to combat Blue Green Algal bloom outbreaks throughout the country.

Schumer said the algae blooms are caused by a number of factors, including nitrogen pollution as a result of older wastewater systems.  Experts say climate change has also brought warmer temperatures and more spring rainfall, both of which favor the growth of algae blooms.

A Blue Green Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Department of Health)

MAYVILLE – Harmful algal blooms are continuing to plague Chautauqua Lake as we head into the final few weeks of the summer season.

On Friday the Public Health Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services sent out a statement urging all residents and visitors to continue to be cautious when recreating in our lakes, especially if Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are present.

HABs are created when blue-green algae release toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health.  According to county health officials, a blue-green algae bloom is currently widespread throughout the South Basin of Chautauqua Lake.

The booms are naturally present in lakes, but can grow out of hand due to nutrient rich runoff from surrounding land, warm water temperature, and sunshine.

These blooms are more likely in nearshore areas than open water areas and are known to contain higher toxin levels than those in open water.

People and pets can be exposed to toxins by touching, swallowing, or inhaling HABs during water recreation activities, through surface water use around the house, such as watering gardens, and through drinking water.

The County Health Department monitors local beaches for HABs and E. coli bacteria.  To best protect the public from possible disease exposure, beaches are closed when the water exceeds bacteria safety standards and/or HABs are spotted.

The status of Chautauqua County permitted public beaches and additional information about HABs are listed on the County Website.

The county has also initiated as a series of weekly updates about HABs in Chautauqua County lakes, with widespread HABs in the south basin of Chautauqua Lake and near Long Point State Park; along with isolated blooms in the North Basin.

A Blue-Green Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake. (Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Department of Health)

MAYVILLE – Patches of blue-green algae have shown up in areas of the southern basin of Chautauqua Lake.

According to the Post-Pournal, the dangerous algae was found near shorelines in Lakewood, Fluvanna, Long Point State Park and the Bemus Point area.

As a result, County Environmental Health officials shut down Lakewood Village Beach last Tuesday, and the beach will remain closed until testing shows the level of toxins in the algae have decreased.

According to the state Health Department, blue-green algae are microscopic organisms that can form dense blooms in surface waters. Health officials urge people to avoid blooms as they can cause irritations. People should also keep their pets away from blooms as it could be deadly if ingested.

Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake, captured in this aerial photo by John McCredie.

MAYVILLE – The Public Health Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) urges all Chautauqua County residents and visitors to educate themselves about Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and to be cautious when swimming, boating, and fishing.

In New York, HABs occur most frequently in the mid to late summer months but can occur at any time of the year. Small bloom conditions can change rapidly due to changes in weather and lake currents. Larger blooms will likely persist throughout the summer once they become established.

Know It. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally present in lakes. Nutrient rich runoff from surrounding land, warm water temperature, and sunshine encourages blue-green algae growth. With the right conditions blue-green algae forms blooms which may appear as floating “rafts” or scums on the surface of the water, these blooms are known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Be alert and watchful for blooms which may resemble “pea soup” or have a paint-like appearance with strong colors including blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red. Blooms are more likely in nearshore areas than open water areas.

HABs present a public health risk because they can release toxins which may be harmful to human and animal health. People and pets can be exposed to toxins by contact (touching, swallowing, and inhaling) with HABs during water recreation activities, through surface water use around the house, such as watering gardens, and through drinking water.  Municipal water treatment facilities in Chautauqua County do test for toxins in lake water as part of the treatment process.

Avoid It.  Christine Schuyler, Chautauqua County Director of Health and Human Services, said, “Not all blooms are hazardous but Public Health recommends taking the following precautions:

• When swimming, wading, or boating, avoid areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored.  This applies to everyone – adults, children, and animals.
• Don’t fish or eat fish caught from areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored.
• Pay attention to beach closures, advisory signs, press releases, and websites.  Never swim at beaches that have been closed.
• Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, bloom or no bloom.”

If people or pets are accidentally exposed to a bloom use clean water to rinse off as soon as possible. Consider medical attention if people or pets have symptoms including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, skin irritation, and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties after exposure to surface waters with HABs.

New York State and Chautauqua County has active programs aimed at reducing the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen entering streams and lakes. Watershed management plans have been developed for several lakes in Chautauqua County, including Chautauqua and Findley. As recommendations in the plans are implemented, improved water quality will follow, but it may take years to see improvements.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Department of Health investigate HABs reports, sample blooms for toxins, and conduct research to learn more about HABs and toxin production.

The Chautauqua County Health Department monitors permitted bathing beaches for HABs and the indicator bacteria E. coli.  To best protect the public from possible disease exposure, beaches are closed when the water exceeds bacteria safety standards and/or HABs are spotted.  The status of Chautauqua County permitted public beaches and additional information about HABs are listed on the County Website at       www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/246/Beach-Closings   .

Algae bloom on Chautauqua Lake in 2014, captured in this aerial photo by John McCredie.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Health Officials are advising the public to be cautious when heading out on Chautauqua Lake.

On Friday, the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) sent out a media release telling residents and visitors to avoid going into the lake when algae is present.

According to health officials, lake users should be aware that algal bloom conditions can change rapidly. They add that Blue-green algal blooms can be a problem because they can release a toxin, which at high levels is harmful to human and animal health if ingested.

Blue-green algae is actually a type of cyanobacteria that can form thick mats on the water surface resembling paint, and ranges in color from gray to various shades of yellow, green, blue, or brown.

Not all algal blooms are hazardous, but DHHS recommends taking precautions, including….

• Avoid or limit exposure to water where these algal blooms are occurring. This especially includes swimming and other contact recreation where the water could be accidentally swallowed.
• Do not allow young children or pets to play in water where an algal bloom is present.
• Wash your hands and body thoroughly if exposed to algae and any time after swimming or recreating in the lake.
• Do not enter the water if you have open cuts or sores.
• If pets enter the water containing blue-green algae, wash them immediately and don’t let them lick their fur.

For more information about blue-green algae visit the county health department’s website or call (716) 753-4489.

A large algae bloom, captured in this aerial photo by John McCredie.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County health officials are urging people who swim or boat in Chautauqua Lake and other area lakes to be on the look out for algae blooms that can be toxic to humans and animals if injested.

Officials with the County Department of Health and Human Services say warm temperatures are setting the stage for blue-green algae blooms on area lakes.  As a result, all residents are advised to be cautious when out on the lakes, especially if algae is present.  Blue-green algae blooms can be a problem because they can release a toxin, which at high levels is harmful to human and animal health if ingested.

County public health director Christine Schuyler emphasized that “the real threat is when people or pets drink or otherwise ingest water directly from a lake where a bloom is occurring.  Lake water that is properly treated through an approved Health Department water treatment plant does not pose a risk. Schuyler also says that a significant amount of testing has taken place the past three years and the only samples that have been high were those from locations where significant algae blooms were present and the water was very unsightly.

The health department has developed a response plan to help protect the public from health effects caused by blue-green algal blooms when they occur.  This includes closely monitoring permitted bathing beaches and public drinking water supplies, along with collecting a limited number of samples from our lakes for submission to the New York State Department of Health laboratory.

The public beach in Bemus Point was closed Thursday after the County Health Department found unsafe levels of blue-green algae.  The closure came just a day after the health department issued a blue-green algae alert for all of Chautauqua Lake. Blue-green algae is a bacteria that creates a toxin. Ingesting it is harmful to your health. Health officials say the warm weather brings with it more blue-green algal blooms.

Experts advise people and animals to stay out of the water where the blooms are found.