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Rebecca M Gorney

Rebecca is an aquatic ecologist at the USGS New York Water Science Center.

Rebecca is an aquatic ecologist and conducts research primarily on cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater ecosystems of New York and nationally. She began working at the USGS New York Water Science Center in 2023. She has previously worked in a variety of ecosystems, from urban to rural, aquatic and terrestrial. She currently leads numerous collaborative projects that address several aspects of science related to HABs. The projects span a range of disciplines from methods development, algal community composition, fate and transport of cyanotoxins, monitoring program development and more. The goal of the HABs work at NYWSC is in part to develop tools to inform management decisions and improve our understanding  of the impacts of HABs on the environment.

Professional Experience

  • Prior to this position, Rebecca investigated HABs with the Division of Water at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (2015-2022).

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. in Natural Resources (2014) – University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

  • M.S. in Natural Resources (2008) – The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

  • B.S. in Biological Sciences (2002)—Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Science and Products

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Photograph of the Lake in Central Park, NY under harmful algal bloom conditions

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, New York Water Science Center
link

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
Learn More

Vertical Profiles of Water Quality and Phytoplankton Data from Five Lakes in the Adirondack Park, New York State, 2021

This data release contains phytoplankton data and vertical profile measurements of water quality and light in oligotrophic (low nutrient) lakes within the Adirondack Park, New York State. Data were collected between June and October 2021 at five lakes. Four lake locations (Nearshore, Open Water, Layer, Bloom) were sampled representing one of four sample types (Bottom Sediment, Surface Water, Bloom
By
New York Water Science Center

An evaluation of cyanobacterial occurrence and bloom development in Adirondack lakes

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) have occurred in many low nutrient (oligotrophic) lakes in the northeastern United States. The Adirondack Park in New York is a large, mountainous region with many low nutrient lakes. There is a gap in understanding regarding whether cyanoHAB reporting data are truly reflective of the susceptibility of lakes to develop bloom conditions. We evaluated
Authors
Rebecca Michelle Gorney, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, Michael D. Stouder, Ann E. St. Amand, Cory Suave, Denise Clark, Erin A. Stelzer, Carrie E Givens, Jennifer L. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

The "H," "A," and "B" of a HAB: A definitional framework

The use of the phrase “harmful algal bloom” and the acronym HAB originated in the marine science world, and referred to blooms also known as red tides, which can kill fish and sea life. The organisms that make up marine HABs generally do not thrive in lakes. In freshwater, HABs are most often associated with blooms of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. The term HAB started to be used broadly in the ea
Authors
Rebecca Michelle Gorney, Jennifer L. Graham, Jennifer C. Murphy
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

A structured decision-making framework for managing cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in New York State parks

Cyanobacteria are increasingly a global water-quality concern because of the potential for these organisms to develop into potentially harmful blooms that affect ecological, economic, and public health. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can lead to a decrease in water quality and affect many of the recreational and ecological benefits of parks that include lakes. The New York State O
Authors
Jennifer L. Graham, Gabriella M. Cebada Mora, Rebecca M. Gorney, Lianne C. Ball, Claudia Mengelt, Michael C. Runge
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

link
Photograph of the Lake in Central Park, NY under harmful algal bloom conditions

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, New York Water Science Center
link

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Central Park, New York

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can produce cyanotoxins that pose health risks to humans, pets, and wildlife that use freshwater lakes and ponds. While not often used for swimming or drinking water, human and animal contact with urban lakes can include boating, fishing, or use of shoreline walking paths. CyanoHABs are a persistent, annually recurring problem in several Central Park...
Learn More

Vertical Profiles of Water Quality and Phytoplankton Data from Five Lakes in the Adirondack Park, New York State, 2021

This data release contains phytoplankton data and vertical profile measurements of water quality and light in oligotrophic (low nutrient) lakes within the Adirondack Park, New York State. Data were collected between June and October 2021 at five lakes. Four lake locations (Nearshore, Open Water, Layer, Bloom) were sampled representing one of four sample types (Bottom Sediment, Surface Water, Bloom
By
New York Water Science Center

An evaluation of cyanobacterial occurrence and bloom development in Adirondack lakes

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) have occurred in many low nutrient (oligotrophic) lakes in the northeastern United States. The Adirondack Park in New York is a large, mountainous region with many low nutrient lakes. There is a gap in understanding regarding whether cyanoHAB reporting data are truly reflective of the susceptibility of lakes to develop bloom conditions. We evaluated
Authors
Rebecca Michelle Gorney, Elizabeth A. Nystrom, Michael D. Stouder, Ann E. St. Amand, Cory Suave, Denise Clark, Erin A. Stelzer, Carrie E Givens, Jennifer L. Graham
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

The "H," "A," and "B" of a HAB: A definitional framework

The use of the phrase “harmful algal bloom” and the acronym HAB originated in the marine science world, and referred to blooms also known as red tides, which can kill fish and sea life. The organisms that make up marine HABs generally do not thrive in lakes. In freshwater, HABs are most often associated with blooms of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. The term HAB started to be used broadly in the ea
Authors
Rebecca Michelle Gorney, Jennifer L. Graham, Jennifer C. Murphy
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

A structured decision-making framework for managing cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in New York State parks

Cyanobacteria are increasingly a global water-quality concern because of the potential for these organisms to develop into potentially harmful blooms that affect ecological, economic, and public health. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can lead to a decrease in water quality and affect many of the recreational and ecological benefits of parks that include lakes. The New York State O
Authors
Jennifer L. Graham, Gabriella M. Cebada Mora, Rebecca M. Gorney, Lianne C. Ball, Claudia Mengelt, Michael C. Runge
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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