Our warmer temperatures have led to the first blue-green algae blooms to be spotted on the lakes in Chautauqua County. The county's Health and Human Services Department is urging all lake users to be cautious, especially when algae is present. The department's Deputy Director of Enviromental Health, Mark Stow, says blue-green algae is a type of cyanobacteria that can form thick "mats" on the water surface, resembling paint. Stow says there have been two blooms spotted on Chautauqua Lake so far this summer...
Mark Stow: blooms spotted near Bemus Point and Long Point
However, Stow says the beach area has not been affected. He says blue-green algae blooms can be a problem because they can release a toxin, and at high levels, it's harmful to human and animal health if ingested. Stow says the biggest concern is for pets that walk along the shoreline...
Mark Stow: blue-green algae can be fatal to pets
Stow says the problem for humans is more likely a rash that comes from the toxin. However, he adds a person can become sick if they ingest some of the "scum-like" bloom. While their main color is blue-green, Stow says the algae can appear to be gray to various shades of yellow, green, blue, or brown. The blooms have also been a problem on Findley Lake and Lake Erie.
Our warmer temperatures have led to the first blue-green algae blooms to be spotted on the lakes in Chautauqua County. The county's Health and Human Services Department is urging all lake users to be cautious, especially when algae is present. The department's Deputy Director of Enviromental Health, Mark Stow, says blue-green algae is a type of cyanobacteria that can form thick "mats" on the water surface, resembling paint. Stow says there have been two blooms spotted on Chautauqua Lake so far this summer...
