Volunteers Needed - Reporting Harmful Algal Blooms

One of the most insidious problems on our lake is Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which are a kind of algal bloom caused by blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria.

Some cyanobacteria release cyanotoxins, which are harmful to other species, including humans and other animals. Cyanotoxins can affect other species simply by coming into contact with them (swimming in contaminated water) or through ingestion (drinking contaminated water, even if it has been treated and filtered).

Because of this, it's important that we keep an eye out for HABs in Moon Lake. That's where you come in!

HABs can look take on several different appearances. In Upstate New York, they usually look like spilled green paint or pea soup:

While green algae algal blooms (shown below) can be gross and a nuisance, they are not dangerous to human health. If you're in doubt over whether something is a HAB or not, report it anyway! The DEC will help make the determination.

This season, if you see a suspicious algal bloom, report it using the NYSDEC's Suspicious Algal Bloom Reporting Form.

For additional information, check out the NYSDEC webpage on HABs.