MAYVILLE – Chautaqua Lake’s south basin has been added to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s list of water bodies with harmful algae blooms and county officials are urging caution for swimmer, anglers and boaters.
DEC officials urge people to avoid blooms and report any they may find, noting, however, that not all algae blooms are harmful.
The Public Health Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) urges all Chautauqua County residents and visitors to educate themselves about Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and to be cautious when swimming, boating, and fishing. In New York, HABs occur most frequently in the mid to late summer months but can occur at any time of the year. Small bloom conditions can change rapidly due to changes in weather and lake currents. Larger blooms will likely persist throughout the summer once they become established.
The southern basin of Chautauqua Lake is reported to have isolated blooms.
Officials said the harmful algae blooms are blue-green in color and are naturally present in lakes. Nutrient rich runoff from surrounding land, warm water temperature, and sunshine encourages blue-green algae growth. With the right conditions blue-green algae forms blooms which may appear as floating “rafts” or scums on the surface of the water, these blooms are known as HABs.
People are cautioned to be alert and watchful for blooms which may resemble “pea soup” or have a paint-like appearance with strong colors including blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red. Blooms are more likely in nearshore areas than open water areas.
HABs present a public health risk because they can release toxins which may be harmful to human and animal health. People and pets can be exposed to toxins by contact (touching, swallowing, and inhaling water droplets) with HABs.
“Not all blooms are hazardous, but the Health Department recommends taking the following precautions: when swimming, wading, or boating, avoid areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored. This applies to everyone – adults, children, and animals. Don’t fish or eat fish caught from areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored. Pay attention to beach closures, advisory signs, press releases, and websites. Never swim at beaches that are closed,” Christine Schuyler, Chautauqua County Director of Health and Human Services, said.
“Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, bloom or no bloom.”
If people or pets are accidentally exposed to a bloom use clean water to rinse off as soon as possible. Consider medical attention if people or pets have symptoms including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, skin irritation, and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties after exposure to surface waters with HABs.
New York State and Chautauqua County have active programs aimed at reducing the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen entering streams and lakes. Watershed management plans have been developed for several lakes in Chautauqua County, including Chautauqua and Findley. As recommendations in the plans are implemented, improved water quality will follow, but it may take years to see improvements.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health investigate HABs reports, sample blooms for toxins, and conduct research to learn more about HABs and toxin production.
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Drain it clean it remove sunken vehicals and boats and what ever else is under the lake cleanout the sunken ship cemetery which ive heard there is one mow away from the lake instead of blowing grass and stuff inside of it there’s many ways to clean the lake if people try