1. Awareness of the Season
Blooms and HABs

2. Last Year
In local news: Swartswood lake was closed in 2017 for a total of six weeks during prime swim season as a result of Harmful Algae Blooms “H.A.B”
27 HABs identified in NJ, 168 were identified in NY State in 2017.
What exactly is an HAB?

3. What is an HAB?
Culver Lake, as most lakes, has an active body of micro organisms called Algae including phytoplankton, zooplankton, blue breen algae / cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are bacteria that contain chlorophyll.
When right mix of conditions occur (nutrients, warm weather, still water) a bloom can occur.
A bloom is the temporary condition where the population exceeds its normal numbers.

4. What is an HAB, continued
A HAB occurs if a cyanobacteria bloom occurs and they release cyanotoxins which are harmful to humans and animals. Not all blooms are toxic.
Toxins (microcystin and others) can cause itchy eyes, skin rashes, stomach problems and death to pets
HABs have occurred more frequently as a result of increased nutrient inputs and global warming (in particular less ice cover)

5. Under the Microscope

6. Culver Lake 2017

7. Fluorescent appearance
Culver 2017 (below)

9. What is the Association Doing?
Finalizing a policy for swim area monitoring with training for beach personal
Increasing awareness in forums such as these
Continuing programs of septic, fertilizer awareness, fish stocking (to control alewives), hot spot monitoring, aeration repair, weekly sampling

10. What Can You Do?
Be on the lookout, particularly late in the season, for suspicious fluorescent blooms
Avoid contact with such blooms (swimming)
Don't drink lake water without a filter (regardless)
Maintain your septic, limit fertilizer use, manage stormwater runoff (a carrier of nutrients) on your property

11. Questions and Discussion