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For more information on algae and how you can help reduce phosphorous in the lake, visit the "Keeping Our Lake Healthy" page.
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WATER QUALITY
Water quality tests of Lake Abanakee are performed 3 times during the summer. Testing conducted from 2005 to 2014. No tests were conducted in 2015 due to a change in schedule. Tests were resumed in 2016. At the LACA Annual Meeting in 2016, it was noted that over time, the lake has changed from mesotrophic (cloudy, high vegetation) to oligotrophic (less cloudy, more oxygen), and that this is a positive change for the lake's health. The trend continued through 2017.
The phosphorous level was at 20 in 2005, down to 5 in 2013, and up to 9.3 in 2014, 9.7 in 2016 , and slightly higher at 10.4 in 2017.
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Algae Bloom Concerns
It is difficult to pinpoint cause of the increase in algae during Summer 2016. At first we thought the hot, rainy weather could be to blame. Or possibly too many nutrients were getting into the water. Now that we have the 2016 water quality report available, it would indicate that nutrients aren't to blame. At least not the phosphorous (ph) levels, as 2016 was just slightly higher than 2014. (2014 ph total = 9.3, 2016 ph total = 9.7).
It is difficult to pinpoint cause of the increase in algae during Summer 2016. At first we thought the hot, rainy weather could be to blame. Or possibly too many nutrients were getting into the water. Now that we have the 2016 water quality report available, it would indicate that nutrients aren't to blame. At least not the phosphorous (ph) levels, as 2016 was just slightly higher than 2014. (2014 ph total = 9.3, 2016 ph total = 9.7).
Harmful Algae Blooms vs Native Floating Rafts
- HAB (Harmful Algae Blooms) looks like pea soup/spilled paint (don't swim in it!).
- Native (non-toxic) Floating Rafts of algae are bubbling silky/hairy. NFR is good fertilizer -- you can pull it out and put it on your garden!
If anyone suspects that they have seen or come into contact with a HAB, please report the bloom to the NYS-DEC. Fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Formsurvey123.arcgis.com/share/66337b887ccd465ab7645c0a9c1bc5c0. Email the completed form and, if possible, attach digital photos (close-up and landscape to show extent and location) of the suspected bloom to HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov. We (Lake Abanakee) are Region 5 of DEC.
Algae information provided by Caitlin Stewart, District Manager from the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Additional Resources
Lake Abanakee water monitoring data from Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Information about harmful algal blooms from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Lake Abanakee water monitoring data from Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Information about harmful algal blooms from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.