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The look of spilled green paint on Chautauqua and Findley lakes can be obvious at times, but the extent to which blue-green algal blooms plague the waterbodies differs.
This year, algal blooms witnessed on Chautauqua Lake were localized in the southern basin around Lakewood, according to Doug Conroe, Chautauqua Lake Association president.
On Findley Lake, the blue-green algae presence as reported by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was widespread. Mark Stow, environmental health director for Chautauqua County, said the department noticed a higher occurrence of blooms on Findley Lake compared to Chautauqua Lake.
“Predominately, it piles up down by the (Findley Lake) outlet where you get the traditional scum that you worry about with these algal blooms,” Stow said. “They pile up along the shoreline with the prevailing wind and that causes the scummy surface.”
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally present in lakes and streams at low numbers, according to the DEC. Blue-green algae can form harmful algal blooms that discolor water and produce floating scums on the surface. People and animals exposed to blooms face potential health risks.
Bill Boria, water resource specialist for Chautauqua County, said blue-green algae has troubled Findley Lake for decades – as opposed to Chautauqua Lake’s algal bloom issues occurring over the past few years. Boria said complications seen on the lakes are different from year to year between changes in the amount of algae and duration of blooms.
“Some factors include precipitation, which triggers runoff into the lakes carrying fertilizers that feed the algae – specifically phosphorus,” Boria said “Any kind of phosphorus is going to increase algal blooms.”
Lake temperature also plays a role in the emergence of blue-green algal blooms, Boria said. The county saw cooler temperatures and lots of precipitation early in the summer, and warmer temperatures weren’t seen until later in the season.
With many variables influencing blue-green algal blooms, Boria said he doesn’t know which combination would improve or worsen lake conditions.
“That’s something I don’t know if we’ll ever find out,” he said.
Rebecca Brumagin, Mina town supervisor, said Findley Lake is an essential part of the community with prospering businesses and a thriving tourism industry.
“Alexander Findley built the (Findley Lake) dam in 1815, and the progress that we’ve seen has been great because we have the lake,” Brumagin said. “Business-wise, that’s been the center of activity for our whole community.”
CHAUTAUQUA LAKE
Conditions on Chautauqua Lake this year were “wonderful” compared to past years dealing with blue-green algae, Stow said. Pockets of blue-green algae continue to persist, but the general water quality of the lake is satisfactory.
“We did have some minor problems at Lakewood Beach when it was open,” Stow said. “It was short-lived and broke up.”
Water samples collected by the CLA throughout the summer season were sent to the DEC for testing. Conroe said the DEC released a notice following recent tests confirming a large, localized blue-green algal bloom in the southern end of the lake. Conroe said tests for the rest of the lake show no signs of algal bloom issues.
“The situation comes and goes,” Conroe said. “It doesn’t stay.”
HEALTH DANGERS
Caution should be taken when recreating in lakes throughout the county, Boria said. Exposure to blue-green algal scums could cause skin rashes, and washing the effected area of the body is recommended. Boria said the biggest threat to human health is ingesting untreated water.
According to Stow, pets are vulnerable to health issues when exposed to blue-green algal blooms. With scum clinging to fur, pets could ingest toxins by cleaning themselves. Ingesting a high level of toxins could be fatal for pets, Boria said.