BFS Reports Observance of Small Surface Blooms

OTSEGO LAKE—SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station staff reported earlier today, Friday, October 3, that small algal (cyanobacteria) blooms have been observed at the Biological Field Station, located at Rat Cove just north of Fenimore Art Museum, over the course of this week, September 29 through October 2.

These small surface blooms were associated with other lake debris (bits of plants, foam, etc.), officials said, and were short-lived and therefore not photographed for reporting to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The current weather pattern of cool nights and warm afternoons lends itself to the development of intermittent blooms of this type. See NYSDEC’s New York Harmful Algal Bloom Reporting System [NYHABS] to stay informed of reported and confirmed blooms. 

BFS officials advise citizens to keep watch for HABs along the shoreline and at the water surface, especially in sheltered areas (boat slips, small coves, etc.). Avoid discolored or cloudy water, green streaks, foamy accumulations, etc., as these areas may contain cyanobacteria and the associated toxins. If suspicious conditions are observed, they should be reported to the NYSDEC HABs Program via the online report tool.

For more information on HABs and related health concerns, visit the NYS DEC website.