The Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) has trained citizen volunteers to monitor for cyanobacteria at lakeshore locations. Volunteer monitors, along with staff from the Vermont departments of Health and Environmental Conservation, file weekly online reports that are then displayed on the Cyanobacteria Tracker Map. The program helps citizens, along with health, environmental and recreational officials, assess the safety of our beaches. It also provides important data to help us further understand when and why blooms occur. Harmful cyanobacteria has not been observed in Lake Fairlee but changes in environmental conditions may increase the potential for future blooms.
Volunteers take an annual training to learn about cyanobacteria and how to monitor for it. They typically monitor from the second week of June through the first week of September and provide weekly reports to the Department of Health’s CyanoTracker.
Volunteers interested in participating in this important program should reach out to one of the listed contacts above.
Volunteers take an annual training to learn about cyanobacteria and how to monitor for it. They typically monitor from the second week of June through the first week of September and provide weekly reports to the Department of Health’s CyanoTracker.
Volunteers interested in participating in this important program should reach out to one of the listed contacts above.
Watch this Video: How to Identify Cyanobacteria
Example of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Photo courtesy of the EPA.
What should you do if you see a bloom?
- Report it to the LFA Water Quality Action Committee and the state and the Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) using this online form.
- Avoid contact with the water in the area of the bloom. Blooms are often localized and you can recreate elsewhere in the lake.
- Keep children and pets out of the water.
- Do not drink untreated lake water. If you suspect a bloom near your intake, don't drink, cook or shower with the water. Boiling water doesn't destroy the toxins.
- See a doctor if someone gets ill after exposure to a cyanobacteria bloom and report conditions to the health department.
Cyanobacteria Facts
Lake Morey has had a significant cyanobacteria bloom this summer. This certainly is an unfortunate and concerning event. Might Lake Fairlee see similar issues in the future?
While cyanobacteria are present in all freshwater lakes and ponds, there are steps we can all take to minimize the potential for cyanobacteria blooms and their impacts on Lake Fairlee. Here are some facts and frequently asked questions* that can help keep you informed.
What are cyanobacteria and are they present in Lake Fairlee?
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water, including Lake Fairlee. These single-celled organisms live in fresh, brackish (combined salt and fresh water), and marine water. They use sunlight to make their own food and in warm, nutrient-rich (high in Phosphorus and Nitrogen) environments, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly, creating blooms that spread across the water’s surface. Sometimes the blooms become visible.
How are cyanobacteria blooms formed?
Cyanobacteria blooms form when cyanobacteria, which are normally found in the water, start to multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Disruption of the soil such as by construction or simply dirt road maintenance also releases Phosphorus into the environment. Cyanobacteria blooms need nutrients to survive. The blooms can form at any time, but most often form in late summer or early fall.
What does a cyanobacteria bloom look like?
You might or might not be able to see cyanobacteria blooms. Sometimes they stay below the water surface and sometimes they float to the surface. Some cyanobacteria blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats, particularly when the wind blows them toward a shoreline. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red. Blooms sometimes look like paint floating on the water’s surface. As cyanobacteria in a bloom die, the water may smell bad, similar to rotting plants.
Watch this Video: How to Identify Cyanobacteria
Why are some cyanobacteria blooms harmful?
Cyanobacteria blooms that harm people, animals, or the environment are called harmful algal blooms (HABs). Harmful cyanobacteria blooms may affect people, animals, or the environment by:
Is there testing for cyanobacteria toxins?
Yes, but the testing is specialized and can only be done by a few laboratories. Scientists are working to develop toxin test kits for water resource managers and others.
What is being done to prevent blooms on Lake Fairlee?The Water Quality Action Committee of the Lake Fairlee Association performs weekly testing on Lake Fairlee to monitor for cyanobacteria activity. We also work closely with the state and local agencies to monitor nutrient (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) levels in the lake that might promote cyanobacteria bloom development and identify actions that can be taken to reduce nutrient loading such as:
How can you help reduce cyanobacteria blooms from forming?
To help reduce cyanobacteria from forming:
* Adapted from “Cyanobacteria Blooms FAQs” published by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/habs/pdf/cyanobacteria_faq.pdf)
Lake Morey has had a significant cyanobacteria bloom this summer. This certainly is an unfortunate and concerning event. Might Lake Fairlee see similar issues in the future?
While cyanobacteria are present in all freshwater lakes and ponds, there are steps we can all take to minimize the potential for cyanobacteria blooms and their impacts on Lake Fairlee. Here are some facts and frequently asked questions* that can help keep you informed.
What are cyanobacteria and are they present in Lake Fairlee?
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water, including Lake Fairlee. These single-celled organisms live in fresh, brackish (combined salt and fresh water), and marine water. They use sunlight to make their own food and in warm, nutrient-rich (high in Phosphorus and Nitrogen) environments, cyanobacteria can multiply quickly, creating blooms that spread across the water’s surface. Sometimes the blooms become visible.
How are cyanobacteria blooms formed?
Cyanobacteria blooms form when cyanobacteria, which are normally found in the water, start to multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Disruption of the soil such as by construction or simply dirt road maintenance also releases Phosphorus into the environment. Cyanobacteria blooms need nutrients to survive. The blooms can form at any time, but most often form in late summer or early fall.
What does a cyanobacteria bloom look like?
You might or might not be able to see cyanobacteria blooms. Sometimes they stay below the water surface and sometimes they float to the surface. Some cyanobacteria blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats, particularly when the wind blows them toward a shoreline. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red. Blooms sometimes look like paint floating on the water’s surface. As cyanobacteria in a bloom die, the water may smell bad, similar to rotting plants.
Watch this Video: How to Identify Cyanobacteria
Why are some cyanobacteria blooms harmful?
Cyanobacteria blooms that harm people, animals, or the environment are called harmful algal blooms (HABs). Harmful cyanobacteria blooms may affect people, animals, or the environment by:
- Blocking the sunlight that other organisms need to live. Cyanobacteria blooms can also steal the oxygen and nutrients other organisms need to live.
- Making toxins, called cyanotoxins. Cyanotoxins are among the most powerful natural poisons known. They can make people, their pets, and other animals sick. Unfortunately, there are no remedies to counteract the effects.
- You cannot tell if a bloom has toxins by looking at it.
Is there testing for cyanobacteria toxins?
Yes, but the testing is specialized and can only be done by a few laboratories. Scientists are working to develop toxin test kits for water resource managers and others.
What is being done to prevent blooms on Lake Fairlee?The Water Quality Action Committee of the Lake Fairlee Association performs weekly testing on Lake Fairlee to monitor for cyanobacteria activity. We also work closely with the state and local agencies to monitor nutrient (Phosphorus and Nitrogen) levels in the lake that might promote cyanobacteria bloom development and identify actions that can be taken to reduce nutrient loading such as:
- Promoting vegetative barriers to prevent runoff.
- Encouraging adoption of Lake Wise practices and certification for lake property owners.
- Identifying funding sources and grants to help finance mitigation measures.
- Partnering with state environmental experts on lake research to better understand the impacts of development and climate change on lake ecology.
How can you help reduce cyanobacteria blooms from forming?
To help reduce cyanobacteria from forming:
- Learn about and adopt Lake Wise practices for your property.
- Reduce the size of your lawn and don’t cut it short (4” is good).
- Maintain a buffer of natural vegetation around ponds and lakes to filter incoming water.
- Properly maintain your household septic system.
- Avoid using fertilizers containing phosphorus on your yard and gardens or refrain from using fertilizers altogether to reduce the amount that runs off into the environment.
* Adapted from “Cyanobacteria Blooms FAQs” published by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/habs/pdf/cyanobacteria_faq.pdf)
For additional information, visit the State of Vermont Information on Cyanobacteria page.