UPDATE ON BLACK LAKE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM

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RochNY
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UPDATE ON BLACK LAKE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM

Post by RochNY » Sat Sep 01, 2012 2:11 pm

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.
Preserve, Protect, Enhance Black Lake Every Day

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