New York waterways face significant harmful algal blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) involving cyanobacteria have been extensively documented across various New York waterways, including the Hudson River and the Finger Lakes region.

In the Hudson River, researchers from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies identified a massive Microcystis bloom near Kingston that was the largest recorded in nearly 40 years of monitoring. The bloom challenged previous scientific assumptions that the river's currents and tides would prevent such large-scale establishments of cyanobacteria. At certain locations, concentrations exceeded recreational safety guidelines.

Simultaneously, significant HAB activity has been confirmed across several Finger Lakes. Canandaigua Lake recently closed its public and dog beaches as a precaution following the detection of blue-green algae. Cayuga and Owasco lakes have also seen frequent reports, with Cayuga Lake recording 14 confirmed observations in a recent dataset. In Auburn, officials have activated a powdered activated carbon treatment system to address microcystin, a toxin associated with these blooms.