What’s New in the Division of Water?

Blue-Green Algal Bloom Notices

New information about lakes with blue-green algae bloom notices has been posted today, October 16, on the DEC Blue-Green Algal Bloom Notices webpage.

This week no waterbodies were added to the notification list, and blooms were reported in several locations in the state. This information is provided from about 56 waterbodies sampled in the last two to three weeks through DEC monitoring programs, volunteers and public reports.

Because waterbodies may have blue-green algae blooms that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating rafts, scums and discolored water—If  you see it, avoid it and report it!

How long does a bloom last?

Depending on the weather and the characteristics of the lake, blue-green algae blooms may be short-lived, appearing and disappearing in hours, or long-lived, persisting for several weeks. They can also move throughout the depth of the lake and across the surface of the lake. It is difficult to predict how long a blue-green algae bloom will remain on a lake.
Blue-green algae blooms are most likely to occur between July and October, but have been reported in NYS as early as March and as late as November.

Report a suspected bloom

If you suspect you have seen a blue-green algae bloom, or you, your family, or pet has been in contact with a blue-green algae bloom, please follow the instructions for reporting a bloom to DEC.