FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACTS:

September 1, 2016

Ed Przybylowicz HABs Coordinator

Jim Bromka - HABs Coordinator

607-243-8300
315-652-0274

senecahabs@senecalake.org

Harmful Algae Blooms confirmed on Seneca Lake

Lake water samples taken the last week of August have confirmed, for the first time
this summer, the presence of cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as Blue-Green
Algae (BGA) or Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) on Seneca Lake.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) and SUNY College of
Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) tested samples from two locations,
the Perry Point area near Dresden and the Hector shoreline north of Glen Eldridge
Point. Levels of cyanobacteria that are considered harmful to people and animals
were found in both locations.

Several other visual reports of suspicious algae blooms have been reported from around the lake this past
week. HABs have the following characteristics:

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pea soup
blue, green, or white spilled paint
green dots in the water, or green globs on the water surface
parallel streaks, usually green

Contact with such waters by people or animals should be avoided when blooms are present because blooms
produce toxins that can have harmful effects from skin irritation to lung, liver and nervous system problems
depending on the exposure. These toxins have been known to be fatal in animals that have been exposed,
since they often groom by licking their skin or fur.
This is the second year in a row that cyanobacteria has been confirmed in Seneca Lake, with three confirmed
occurrences during the late summer of 2015. Conditions are ripe for the continuing HABs blooms as long as
the warm weather and water conditions remain.

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

PO Box 247




Geneva, NY 14456 SLPWA@SenecaLake.org

www.SenecaLake.org

SLPWA@SenecaLake.org

HABs occur in nutrient-rich waters. Cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen from the air, but it also needs phosphorus
for its growth. SLPWAs stream monitoring program has shown that the major streams that empty into Seneca
Lake are high in phosphorus, which undoubtedly contributes to the occurrence of blooms.
SLPWA in collaboration with FLI and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS
DEC) has been monitoring the shoreline of Seneca Lake since early July on a weekly basis to detect the
occurrence of HABs. This effort is responsible for the detection of HABs blooms reported today. Such
monitoring will continue until October 1, 2016.
In addition, SLPWA maintains two HOTLINES for anyone to report suspicious algae by phone or email.

If you see a suspicious bloom please notify SLWPA so we can investigate!

! Call 1-800-220-1609 and give the call center responder the information. The call center may ask
you a few specifics about the bloom. That call is immediately transcribed and reaches one of our
volunteers within minutes. Through our partnership the NYS DEC will also be notified.
! Send an email to: senecahabs@senecalake.org giving Date, Time, Location (closest road or GPS
coordinates, Photo (if you have a camera handy) and contact information for the person making
the report. Through our partnership the NYS DEC will also be notified.
About SLPWA
Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (www.senecalake.org), established in 1991 is celebrating its
25th anniversary this year. The association is dedicated to enhancing and preserving the quality of Seneca
Lake.

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Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

PO Box 247




Geneva, NY 14456 SLPWA@SenecaLake.org

www.SenecaLake.org

SLPWA@SenecaLake.org