USGS Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in New York

USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development. This will enable state officials, water resource managers, drinking water utilities, the public and others to make more informed decisions on how to deal with HABs and develop mitigation strategies. This collaborative effort, funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the USGS, is in support of the state’s $65 million initiative to aggressively combat HABs in waterbodies across New York.