Seneca Lake saw four more confirmed harmful algal blooms over the past week as recent storms brought badly needed rain to the watershed but did not erase concerns about low lake levels, according to the latest update from the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association.
The lake stood at 445.17 feet BCD as of 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Pure Waters said the recent rainfall provided some relief after an extended dry stretch, but Seneca Lake remains below where it was at the same point last year.
Four HABs were confirmed between Aug. 28 and Sept. 3, bringing the season total to seven. Pure Waters said the southern portion of Seneca Lake has seen the most bloom activity so far this year.
Current surface temperature and dissolved oxygen readings were unavailable because the Finger Lakes Institute’s real-time monitoring buoy is offline.
Pure Waters continues to monitor lake conditions using information from volunteers, the Finger Lakes Institute and NOAA.
Rain helps, but low-water concerns remain
Strong storms moved through the region this week, delivering rainfall that had been largely absent through much of the summer.
The rain provided some hope that Seneca Lake’s declining water level could begin to stabilize, though Thursday night’s reading showed the lake remains comparatively low.
Pure Waters volunteers also checked streams around the watershed following the storms to see how runoff was moving toward the lake.
Vice President Mark Petzold checked Big Stream, Hector Falls, Mill Creek and Kashong Creek. Despite the rainfall, Kashong Creek was still dry when it was inspected.
Those observations are part of the organization’s ongoing stream-flow monitoring program, which is used to better understand how water moves through the watershed and how changing conditions may affect Seneca Lake.
Dam leak repairs still expected to wait until November
Pure Waters also received a response from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the organization’s complaint over an ongoing leak at the Seneca Falls dam.
The repair timeline has not changed.
According to Pure Waters, the operator still plans to wait until November to address the leak. Temporary attempts to stop it have been unsuccessful.
The issue has become increasingly important during the extended period of low water because the leak represents another source of water leaving the lake while rainfall and stream flows have been limited.
Pure Waters has continued advocating for action on the issue while tracking lake levels throughout the summer and early fall.
HAB activity continues to build
The latest four confirmed blooms more than doubled the season total over the past week, increasing it from three to seven.
Harmful algal blooms can develop and disappear quickly depending on wind, temperature, nutrients and other lake conditions.
Pure Waters advises residents and visitors to avoid water that resembles pea soup, spilled paint or surface scum, as well as water that appears bright green or blue-green or contains green streaks and swirling mats.
Blooms can also collect along shorelines and in protected coves.
Anyone who encounters a suspected bloom is advised to keep people and pets out of the water, take clear photographs, note the location and report the bloom to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Pure Waters also accepts photos through its Seneca Lake HAB monitoring program.
The organization cautions that lake conditions can change rapidly and recommends staying out of the water whenever there is uncertainty about whether a bloom is present.
Monitoring continues into September
The latest update comes as Pure Waters prepares for its annual meeting Sept. 10 at Watershed Brewing.
The organization said the meeting will include updates on lake levels, Hydrilla and other major issues affecting Seneca Lake.
Pure Waters is also continuing its watershed monitoring, volunteer programs and advocacy work as the lake moves into the fall season.
The organization’s Board of Directors has committed up to $5,000 to match membership gifts during its current fundraising campaign.
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