Week 2 is in the books and there were no blooms found. We had fairly strong southerly winds during the week, so blooms were unlikely. The weekend calmed down and was sunny, but no blooms were spotted. There was one bloom report on Sunday, but a careful photo review and discussion determined it was not a HAB.

The water temperature is likely to peak soon and Seneca Lake blooms typically start soon after that happens.

Check the Pure Waters HAB website (senecalake.org/Blooms) for the latest information. The real-time bloom scorecard tabulates the number of reported blooms and surveys on the lake “today”, “this week”, and “last week”. There is also background information and links for more details.

One key factor for HAB formation is nutrient level. Controlling nutrients requires a broad coalition working toward the same goal. This week’s article highlights a key partner in that endeavor, the Seneca Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (SWIO) and its effort to become self-sustaining.