UPDATE ON BLACK LAKE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM

[RochNY]

Update on Black Lake’s Harmful Algal Bloom

Today I received word that the NYSDEC is downgrading the Black Lake Harmful Algal Bloom listing on their webpage for this week from “CONFIRMED” to “SUSPICIOUS”. The laboratory toxin analysis data isn’t in yet, but in conversations with Dr. Boyer who is New York State’s expert on Harmful Algal Blooms, he reports that the screening tests from the most recent (mid-August) shoreline bloom samples (provided to NYSDEC by the Black Lake Association’s volunteer, Brian Caler) showed lower blue green algae levels than the prior samples.

This is an indication that the bloom was degrading in mid-August. Dr. Boyer expected that the toxin results would now fall well below NYSDEC’s criteria for "confirmed". The "suspicious" category still provides a level of public notification that those using the lake should be on the lookout for algae blooms, and they should follow the same precautionary measures.

NYSDEC will continue to update the web page as additional information arrives. They hope but cannot guarantee that the ‘tracking’ is consistent, i.e. they don’t bounce back and forth between suspicious and confirmed. But again, it is worth noting that the precautionary message does not change—people should continue to avoid direct exposure to algal blooms.

With cooler temperatures and windy conditions, the harmful blue green type of algae should diminish to insignificant levels, particularly in Fall. Point of clarification: some folks have said that Algae Blooms occur every year on Black Lake. While this is true, all algal blooms are NOT alike. There are many species of algal just like there are many different types of people. This years bloom was many species of algae, but the Microcystis species, while normally present in small amounts this year was present in very large amounts. In addition, it doesn’t normally produce large amounts of toxin but this year it did. Toxin levels rose in Black Lake as the blue green algae cells died and burst open. We know for certain that increased levels of the nutrient phosphorus led directly to this population explosion. The hot temperatures and low water flow made it even worse. There is NO guarantee that these Harmful Algal Blooms will not occur in the future UNLESS we can significantly and sustainably reduce the phosphorus levels in Black Lake. This will reduce the weed growth as well—a double benefit.

Please get your septic systems checked and do not have lawns or fertilize plants right up to the water’s edge. Let’s work to keep Black Lake a beautiful, safe, healthy, fun place to live and vacation today and well into the future!

Sincerely,

Rich Henderson, President, Black Lake Association, Inc.

[Central NY Girl]

We normally see the algae from year to year but its not normally the blue green color we seen this year. We didn't see much of it. We seen it on thursday when the wind was so strong the waves had pushed a bit of it to the shoreline. Didin't see much in the coves of course we wouldn't fish in it.

[492VS]

Nightime Fished Friday into Saturday morning with the full moon after the wind died off around woods island. Didn't notice it till later in the day my reel and pants I had on had blue residue on them. I was fishing surface lures and could see where my line was slapping the water.

[erik]

I've got more blue algae than i did all summer. It's every where in front of my camp. Anyone still have any?

[Fishpro]

Most of the blue-green algie blooms seem to be in bays or areas that dont get the wind so much. One of the major television news recently had a blip mentioning same problem . Seems for some unknown reason this is happening through out the country on many lakes. They seem to think that chemicals from farm runoff may be the culprit. Sad to say the least. Catch & Release!

[RochNY]

Hello everyone,

The latest results are in for the water sample submitted mid-September for harmful algal bloom. Black Lake is not on the list for suspected or confirmed any longer. And the sample of course was BELOW the detectable limit for Microcystin toxin. That doesn't mean that somewhere on Black Lake in some bay or cove there isn't a blue-green algae bloom or that in that bloom there is no possibility of the toxin. It simply means that our sampling volunteer who has been well-trained to look for and sample significant possibly harmful blooms hasn't come across anything that tested positive. Certainly it is reasonable to say that the worst is behind us especially now that we're into cooler fall temperatures.

I met with a representative of DEC Saturday, 29 September and he still advised caution, but he didn't believe that anyone needed to avoid Black Lake...just don't drink the water and he still advises against consuming fish that have been caught in areas where blooms are present.

It is true that this summer there were significant, large bluegreen (cyanobacteria) blooms all over the US and if you look on the DEC website, you can see that many lakes in NYS were affected including the Finger Lakes, Casanovia and others that are well-known.

To say that it is caused by agricultural chemicals is not true in the case of Black Lake. First of all, there is relatively little agriculture in the Black Lake watershed. What agriculture/farms exist, have worked closely with the St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District and have done a good job of preventing runoff of phosphorus-containing waters/soils into the watershed. They keep this valuable nutrient on their hayfields/croplands where it benefits their productivity. And phosphorus is the 'chemical' that is a huge contributing factor to high algae growth as well as high aquatic weed growth.

The Black Lake Association, Inc. has worked hard for many years to educate those around Black Lake about the dangers of phosphorus to the aquatic ecosystem. Most of us can avoid fertilizers on lawns, running gray water (laundry, sinks, tubs, showers) into the lake or feeder streams to the lake. What we're not doing a good job of is maintaining and/or replacing septic systems, particularly on the older camps where often it was just a 55 gallon drum with holes punched in it that was buried in the ground and served as a cheap, out-of-sight sort-of-waste disposal system. If you own property in or near the lake, do your part and have your system evaluated by a professional, have it pumped periodically and have it repaired or replaced if you see sewage on the ground surface or smell your system when you're moving the lawn or working in/enjoying your yard by the lake. Black Lake is a special and very beautiful place that we must preserve for our children and their children.

Sincerely,

Richard Henderson, President, Black Lake Association

Preserve, Protect and Enhance Black Lake

[492VS]

DEC website 2013 Blue-Green Algal Bloom Notices


(18) Black Lake+ St. Lawrence/ Confirmed /Large localized. 7/11/2013 Lab sample /New listing

+ blooms in large lakes may be limited to shorelines or confined bays

[RochNY]

UPDATE for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) on Black Lake--15 July, 2013

The Black Lake Association volunteers who enable us to participate in the NYSDEC's Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) responded to a request from a DEC Enforcement Officer early last week to sample an area between Booth Island, the Rt. 58 Causeway and the Southeast shoreline. Samples taken were sent immediately to the SUNY ESL lab in Syracuse for analysis.

Those samples tested as CONFIRMED for Harmful Algae (actually chlorophyll-containing bacteria). A more time consuming analysis to see if the HAB is producing toxins is underway. Results will be in this week.

Meanwhile, AVOID areas of the lake (few and far between) that have VISIBLE Bright Green Algae or Bluish-Green Algae on top of the water. These areas may look like someone spilled bright paint on the water. Keep pets OUT OF THE WATER IN THESE AREAS. These Cyanobacteria (algae) can cause skin irritation, burning eyes, gastrointestinal distress and can be very harmful to pets who lick to clean algae off their fur. Do NOT consume fish caught in these areas. Do not drink water from these areas--even boiling will NOT destroy the toxins.

If you contact water, fish or plants from these areas, wash off with plenty of clean water. Hose off pets who have contacted algae bloom areas. If you experience gastrointestinal upset, skin rashes or itching, see your doctor and explain about possible contact with the bloom.

Areas of Black Lake where the Algae Blooms are NOT present are perfectly safe--safe to eat fish you catch, safe to swim or water ski, jet ski, boat, tube, canoe, kayak and have a great time on to water as much as you like!

You can read further about HABs and see the list of other lakes in NYS that have HABs by following this link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html .

Sincerely,

Rich Henderson, Board of Directors, Black Lake Association

[RochNY]

18 JULY 2013 UPDATE
The Harmful Algal Bloom (1 of 3) located between Booth Island, the Rt. 58 Causeway bridge and the Southeast Shore of Black Lake has toxin results for the sample taken Wednesday, 10 July. The toxin level (Microcystis) is 109 micrograms per liter. That is a very high concentration even though it might not seem like a lot. That is a very hazardous level. Please avoid that area of the lake.

The Black Lake Association, DEC and NYS Health Department are still awaiting the results for toxin (if any) on two other confirmed Harmful Algal Blooms in other areas of Black Lake. Those samples were taken at about the same time, but they were mailed to the lab for analysis rather than hand delivered like the sample for which these results pertain.

Please avoid all contact with fish and/or lake water in the area mentioned above. Boiling the water or cooking fish caught in the HAB area does NOT inactivate or destroy the toxin.

Rich Henderson, Black Lake Association