Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Algal Mat Forming Along a Backwater Section of the Shenandoah River

By Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Two side by side photos showing the location of an algal mat along the riverbank of the Shenandoah river.
Original Thumbnail Medium

Detailed Description

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) event along the south fork of the Shenandoah River during the summer of 2024. This algal mat was forming along a backwater section of the riverbank near the water quality monitoring site near Lynnwood, Virginia.

This photo was taken as a part of the Shenandoah River HABs Project.

Data for this monitoring site can be found at USGS Water Data for the Nation.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

Related

Scientist holds a mat of Benthic green and blue-green algae removed from the bottom of a river

Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Viriginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and collaboration with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the two forks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Continuous and discrete water-quality and hydrology data is conducted to understand the drivers, persistence...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Viriginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and collaboration with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the two forks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Continuous and discrete water-quality and hydrology data is conducted to understand the drivers, persistence...
Learn More
Image: Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Excessive accumulations of algae that impair waterbodies, called harmful algal blooms (HABs), can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, reduce the quality of water resources, and can pose significant risks to human and animal health. The Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center works with state, regional, and local partners to evaluate the drivers and distribution of harmful algal...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Excessive accumulations of algae that impair waterbodies, called harmful algal blooms (HABs), can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, reduce the quality of water resources, and can pose significant risks to human and animal health. The Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center works with state, regional, and local partners to evaluate the drivers and distribution of harmful algal...
Learn More

Shenandoah HABs

Filter Total Items: 29
NF Shenandoah river at dawn
North Fork Shenandoah River at Dawn
North Fork Shenandoah River at Dawn
A USGS mobile lab vehicle by the side of the road just before dawn.
USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle in the Field
USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle in the Field
5 labeled water-quality sample bottles lined up and bagged, ready for transport to the lab.
Water-quality Samples
Water-quality Samples
A USGS scientist in a river during a harmful algal bloom event.
HAB event in the South Fork Shenandoah River
HAB event in the South Fork Shenandoah River
Two USGS scientists collecting a groundwater sample by the Shenandoah River.
Collecting groundwater samples near the Shenandoah River
Collecting groundwater samples near the Shenandoah River
A sample bottle with a water sample inside. The water is murky and turbid.
Shallow Groundwater Sample from the Banks of the Shenandoah River
Shallow Groundwater Sample from the Banks of the Shenandoah River
A scientist works on a rail system along the Shenandoah River at sunset.
Monitoring equipment along the North Fork Shenandoah River
Monitoring equipment along the North Fork Shenandoah River
A floating algal mat forming along the edge of the riverbank of the Shenandoah River.
Algal Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Algal Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Close-up of algal mats growing over a rocky streambank.
Algae Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Algae Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
View of the Shenandoah River from a bridge. A pocket of dense algae can be seen along the shoreline.
South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Lynnwood
South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Lynnwood
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
The Shenandoah River during a harmful algal bloom event. The water is brownish and dying algae coats the riverbed.
Deer Rapids after a HABs Event
Deer Rapids after a HABs Event
A USGS scientist standing in a river taking notes during a harmful algal bloom event. Mats of algae float in the water nearby.
Harmful Algal Bloom in the Shenandoah River North Fork
Harmful Algal Bloom in the Shenandoah River North Fork
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Aerial photo of the Shenandoah River (south fork) with the blue ridge mountains in the background
South Fork Shenandoah River
South Fork Shenandoah River
Scientist in a river deploying gas exchange sensors.
Deploying oxygen exchange sensors in the North Fork Shenandoah River
Deploying oxygen exchange sensors in the North Fork Shenandoah River
The inside of a mobile water-quality laboratory vehicle.
Inside of a USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle
Inside of a USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle
Monitoring box and antenna, with the Shenandoah river and the blue ridge mountains in the background.
Monitoring station on the NF Shenandoah River near Strausburg.
Monitoring station on the NF Shenandoah River near Strausburg.
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
The display screen of a forward-looking infrared camera painted at a river.
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
A USGS scientist stands in a river while taking a temperature reading.
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR

Related

Scientist holds a mat of Benthic green and blue-green algae removed from the bottom of a river

Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Viriginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and collaboration with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the two forks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Continuous and discrete water-quality and hydrology data is conducted to understand the drivers, persistence...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

Investigation of Drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Shenandoah River, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Viriginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and collaboration with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the two forks of the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Continuous and discrete water-quality and hydrology data is conducted to understand the drivers, persistence...
Learn More
Image: Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Excessive accumulations of algae that impair waterbodies, called harmful algal blooms (HABs), can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, reduce the quality of water resources, and can pose significant risks to human and animal health. The Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center works with state, regional, and local partners to evaluate the drivers and distribution of harmful algal...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Harmful Algal Blooms Investigations at the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Excessive accumulations of algae that impair waterbodies, called harmful algal blooms (HABs), can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, reduce the quality of water resources, and can pose significant risks to human and animal health. The Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center works with state, regional, and local partners to evaluate the drivers and distribution of harmful algal...
Learn More

Shenandoah HABs

Filter Total Items: 29
NF Shenandoah river at dawn
North Fork Shenandoah River at Dawn
North Fork Shenandoah River at Dawn
A USGS mobile lab vehicle by the side of the road just before dawn.
USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle in the Field
USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle in the Field
5 labeled water-quality sample bottles lined up and bagged, ready for transport to the lab.
Water-quality Samples
Water-quality Samples
A USGS scientist in a river during a harmful algal bloom event.
HAB event in the South Fork Shenandoah River
HAB event in the South Fork Shenandoah River
Two USGS scientists collecting a groundwater sample by the Shenandoah River.
Collecting groundwater samples near the Shenandoah River
Collecting groundwater samples near the Shenandoah River
A sample bottle with a water sample inside. The water is murky and turbid.
Shallow Groundwater Sample from the Banks of the Shenandoah River
Shallow Groundwater Sample from the Banks of the Shenandoah River
A scientist works on a rail system along the Shenandoah River at sunset.
Monitoring equipment along the North Fork Shenandoah River
Monitoring equipment along the North Fork Shenandoah River
A floating algal mat forming along the edge of the riverbank of the Shenandoah River.
Algal Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Algal Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Close-up of algal mats growing over a rocky streambank.
Algae Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
Algae Mat from a Harmful Algal Bloom
View of the Shenandoah River from a bridge. A pocket of dense algae can be seen along the shoreline.
South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Lynnwood
South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Lynnwood
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
The Shenandoah River during a harmful algal bloom event. The water is brownish and dying algae coats the riverbed.
Deer Rapids after a HABs Event
Deer Rapids after a HABs Event
A USGS scientist standing in a river taking notes during a harmful algal bloom event. Mats of algae float in the water nearby.
Harmful Algal Bloom in the Shenandoah River North Fork
Harmful Algal Bloom in the Shenandoah River North Fork
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Water chemistry monitoring equipment covered in algae
Aerial photo of the Shenandoah River (south fork) with the blue ridge mountains in the background
South Fork Shenandoah River
South Fork Shenandoah River
Scientist in a river deploying gas exchange sensors.
Deploying oxygen exchange sensors in the North Fork Shenandoah River
Deploying oxygen exchange sensors in the North Fork Shenandoah River
The inside of a mobile water-quality laboratory vehicle.
Inside of a USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle
Inside of a USGS Mobile Laboratory Vehicle
Monitoring box and antenna, with the Shenandoah river and the blue ridge mountains in the background.
Monitoring station on the NF Shenandoah River near Strausburg.
Monitoring station on the NF Shenandoah River near Strausburg.
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
North Fork Shenandoah River during a Harmful Algal Bloom Event
The display screen of a forward-looking infrared camera painted at a river.
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
A USGS scientist stands in a river while taking a temperature reading.
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
Taking Water Temperature Readings using FLIR
Was this page helpful?