Potentially Explosive Toxic Algal Blooms Expected This Season

M.C. Millman

Toxic algae in the water are increasing in frequency and severity across the globe and here in Rockland County. 

Last year, Lake Welch was closed for the season, as reported by Rockland Daily here, due to the growth of blue-green algae. These blue-green algae can produce harmful algal blooms, also known as HABs.

As explained in Climate Central, "Blooms thrive in a warming world. As global temperatures climb, freshwater lakes across the U.S. are warming; warming water boosts the chances of HABs developing and lasting."

The unusually warm winter we had makes the explosive growth of harmful algae even more likely, threatening bodies of water across the State.

In Rockland County, six bodies of water were recorded to have harmful blooms in 2022: Congers Lake, Lake Welch, Lake Welch Lagoon, Rockland Lake, Rudd Pond, and Tomkins Lake.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers advice for dealing with algae bloom:

• People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with any floating mats, scum, or discolored water. Colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown, or red.
• -Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present. In addition to toxins, untreated surface water may contain bacteria, parasites, or viruses that could cause illness if consumed.
• People not on public water supplies should not drink surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated, because in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV), and water filtration units do not protect people from HABs toxins.
• Be prepared before you go in the water by finding out what waterbodies have blooms or have had them in the past. DEC maintains a HABs Notifications page https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html of waterbodies that currently have blooms. Please note that if a waterbody is not listed, it does not mean that it does not have a bloom. It may have one that was not reported. Find out what water bodies have had blooms in the past on the HABs Archive page.

The New York DEC also requests that if you suspect you have seen a HAB, report it to DEC. Fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form. Attach digital photos (close-up and landscape to show the extent and location) of the suspected HAB in the web form if possible. Email [email protected] for help completing the form if need be.