Otsego County HAB Safety

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Otsego County HAB Safety

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Inform yourself to make safe choices

What are Harmful Algal Blooms?

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are the rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria that can cause harm to people, animals, or the local ecology. Harmful algae or cyanobacteria can look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on the surface of water and can be different colors. These blooms can produce toxins that make people and animals sick. Blooms occur in fresh water, such as lakes and rivers, and salt water, such as oceans or bays (CDC  2021). 


Algae and cyanobacteria are simple organisms that live in the water. Algae and cyanobacteria can rapidly grow out of control, or “bloom,” when water is warm, slow-moving, and full of nutrients. Many types of algae do not produce toxins and not all visible algae is harmful. See the galleries below for examples or visit DEC's Harmful Algal Blooms Photo Gallery.



HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS CAN LOOK LIKE (FROM DEC habs photo gallery, SUny oneonta biological field station, Village of Cooperstown Watershed supervisory

On Otsego Lake, microcystis colonies often resemble lines of foam.


Credit: Doug Willies 2023

Foam containing microcystin on Otsego Lake.


Credit: Doug Willies 2023

Foam containing microcystin on Otsego Lake.


Credit: Doug Willies 2023

Microcystin foam along Otsego Lake shoreline.


Credit: Doug Willies 2023

Springfield Landing shoreline, brownish murky water

Springfield Landing, September 2022

Credit: Holly Waterfield

brownish murky water along shoreline

Bloom conditions at Biological Field Station Thayer Boathouse, September 2022.

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Thayer Boathouse South, September 2022

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Microcystis (harmful algal bloom causing cyanobacteria) surface accumulation 

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Springfield Landing swim area, September 2022

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Springfield Landing looking south, September 2022

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Otsego Sailing Club looking south, September 2022

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Even in relatively clear conditions, microcystin can be present. Fairy Springs looking south, September 2022.

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Streaky formations can form in relatively clear water. Swimming area at Three Mile Point, August 2022.

Credit: Holly Waterfield

Grainy formation on Canadarago Lake, August 2022

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

Clumpy formation on Canadarago Lake, August 2022

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

Streaky, paintlike formation on Canadarago Lake, August 2018

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

Streaky, paintlike formation near dock on Canadarago Lake, July 2021

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

Closer view of formation near dock on Canadarago, July 2021

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

Streaky, paintlike formation on Canadarago Lake, August 2018

Credit: Matthew Dombrowski

 HABs may make the water look bright green or like pea soup. Location not known.

Credit: DEC 

 HABs may look like blue, green, or white spilled
paint on the water surface. Location not known.

Credit: DEC

HABs may look like parallel streaks, usually green, on the water surface.

 HABs may look like parallel streaks, usually green, on the water surface. Location not known.

Credit: DEC

HABs may look like green dots, clumps or globs on the water surface.

 HABs may look like green dots, clumps or globs on the water surface. Location not known.

Credit: DEC

Often mistaken for harmful algal blooms (FROM DEC HABS photo gallery)

 Green algae can look like bubbling scum on the water and may be entangled with other plant material, but do not produce harmful toxins. 

Green algae can look silky, hairy or like wet fabric on the rocks, plants or water
surface, but do n

 Green algae can look silky, hairy or like wet fabric on the rocks, plants or water surface, but do not produce harmful toxins. 

Green algae can look like floating rafts on the water, but do not produce
harmful toxins.

 Green algae can look like floating rafts on the water, but do not produce harmful toxins. 

Image of stringy or hairy algae that does not proudce harmful toxins.

Green algae can look stringy or hairy or like a tumbleweed in the water

or on the lake bottom, but do not produce harmful toxins. 

Image of thick mat of green algae, which does not produce toxins.

 Green algae can form thick mats on the water surface but do not produce
harmful toxins. 


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