Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to Host Forum on Blue Green Algae
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner is often remembered for this rime: “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink”.
In modern days, Canandaigua and some of the other Finger Lakes are facing just such a problem as Blue Green Algae blooms and their associated toxins plagued us throughout the summer.
It’s a challenge. But, the folks at the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association (CLWA) are doing something about it.
“Blue Green Algae events are increasing in frequency and intensity in waterways worldwide. Here in the Finger Lakes, 2015 brought blooms - in some cases toxic - to several area lakes, including Canandaigua,” said Lindsay McMillan, Coordinator for the group.
The non-profit CLWA has about a thousand members who are dedicated to preserving and protecting the lake and its watershed. They are involved in a variety of initiatives including scientific research, public policy and education.
Next Tuesday they, along with their partner the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, are sponsoring a community discussion that hopes to answer two questions:
“What were the causes of this unprecedented increase in Blue Green Algae? And, What can we do to reduce the chances of it happening again?”
“Although blue green algae is naturally occurring in freshwater and marine environments, there are many complex factors that contribute to these algae blooms,” said McMillan. “We know that blue green algae (cyanobacteria) poses an increasing threat for our lake on a recreational and public health level - but there are many other "unknowns" that as a community we need to explore.”
They’ve put together a statewide panel of experts as presenters for the event including:
Dr. Greg Boyer, Director of the Great Lakes Research Consortium and Professor at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; Scott Kishbaugh, P.E., Chief, Lake Monitoring and Assessment Section, NYS Department of Conservation Division of Water; and finally Kevin Olvany, Watershed Program Manager, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council.
The event, which is open to the public, will be held at the Canandaigua Middle School Auditorium in Canadaigua next Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m. The event is free but pre-registration is welcomed by calling 585.394.5030 or emailing clwa.lindsay@gmail.com.
“We look forward to making this a real community effort and look forward to working collaboratively with everyone who is interested,” said McMillan.