Small blooms have already surfaced on Canandaigua Lake, and more could pop up any day, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. The lake hit 78°F on August 8, creating prime conditions for harmful algae, especially after a June storm flushed in nutrients that fuel their growth.
Experts say heat, calm weather, and wind shifts can cause sudden blooms — sometimes looking like pea soup or spilled paint. Even though it’s unpredictable, blooms are now a yearly threat across the Finger Lakes.
The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association urges people to stay alert, report sightings, and reduce runoff by limiting lawn fertilizers and maintaining septic systems.
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