Recent HABs on Skaneateles Lake
There are 30 different zones that are regularly monitored by volunteers trained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Bloom Updates
2023
10-12-23 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been observed in the following locations on Skaneateles Lake:
- North shore, Thayer Park, 10/12/23 at 8:57 am
- North shore, Clift Park, 10/12/23 at 9:17 am
- Northwest, SCC Docks, 10/12/23 at 9:30 am
- Northwest, South of DEC launch, 10/12/23 at 10:16 am
10-3 and 10-4-23 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been observed in the following locations on Skaneateles Lake:
North end, Lakeview Circle, 10/3/23 at 2:30 pm
North end, Skaneateles Country Club Docks, 10/4/23 at 8:38 am
North wall, Clift Park, 10/4/23 at 9:03 am
10-3-23 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed – Tuesday, Octber 3, 2023 at 10:48 AM at Clifft Park and 11:04 AM at Thayer Park in Zone 3525
9-5-23 & 9-6-23 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed – Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 5:12 PM at Zone 3507 and Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 10:48 AM at 10 Mile Point
8-23-23 – “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3524. Full SLA HAB report Communication HERE.
2022
8-10-22 – “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3524 and 3525. Full SLA HAB report Communication HERE
2021
10-6-21 – Multiple “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3502, 3524, and 3525. Full SLA HAB report Communication HERE
9-16-21 – Multiple “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3508, 3509, 3524, 3525, 3534, and 3536. Full SLA HAB Report Communication HERE
8-26-21 – Multiple “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3506, 3507, 3527, Borodino Landing and south of Ten Mile near Lourde’s Camp. Full SLA HAB report Communication HERE
8-22-21 – Four “Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zones 3501, 3524, 3525, and 3534. Cyanobacterial Microcystis colonies were indicated as present in the sample taken by the City of Syracuse Water Department in Zone 3525 at 11:24 am and since dissipated as of 2 PM. Full SLA HAB report communication HERE.
8-20-21 – Two “Small Localized” Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) observed at Zone 3502 at 842 AM and Zone 3524 at 9:30 AM. Cyanobacterial Microcystis colonies were indicated as present in the sample taken by the City of Syracuse Water Department in Zone 3524. Full SLA HAB report communication HERE.
Recent 2021 NYSDEC reports of Harmful Algal Blooms can be found by clicking HERE to access NYHABS map.
2020
9-25-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Possible Small Localized HABs reported – Zones 3525, 3524, 3502 and NE of lake North and South of Skaneateles Sailing Club – Click HERE to view
9-21-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Possible Small Localized HABs reported – Zones 3525, 3524, and NE of lake by Shotwell Point – Click HERE to view
9-17-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Possible Small Localized HAB reported – Zone 3524 – Click HERE to view
9-15-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Small Localized HAB reported – Click HERE to view
9-15-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Possible Small Localized HAB reported – Zone 3524 – Click HERE to view
9-9-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Possible Small Localized HAB reported – Zone 3502 – Click HERE to view
9-8-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Small Localized HAB reported – Zone 3525 – Click HERE to view
8-13-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Small Localized HAB Confirmed – Zone 3525 – Click HERE to view
8-10-20 – SLA HAB Notice – Small Localized HAB confirmed – Zone 3525- Click HERE to view
2019
Archived NYSDEC 2019 Harmful Algal Bloom notices can be found by clicking HERE.
2018
Week of 7/20/18 No Blooms
Week of 7/27/18 No Blooms
Week of 8/3/18 Bloom on 8/4 in Zone 3525, Bloom on 8/5 in Zone 3501, Bloom on 8/7 in Zone 3524. DISSIPATED.
Week of 8/10/18 No Blooms
Week of 8/17/18 No Blooms
Week of 8/24/18 No Blooms
Week of 8/31/18 No Blooms
Week of 9/7/18 On 9/4/18 confirmed HAB with high toxins in Zone 3524. Other suspicious blooms were seen on the west side spanning from Zones 3524 to 3516. DISSIPATED.
Week of 9/14/18 On 9/13/18 confirmed HAB near zones 3511, 3514, 3515, 3524, and in Mandana. DISSIPATED
Week of 9/21/18 On 9/16/18 confirmed HAB in zone 3502. DISSIPATED.
Week of 9/28/18 On 9/27/18 confirmed HAB in zone 3524. DISSIPATED.
Week of 10/5/18 No Blooms
Week of 10/12/18 On 10/8/18 confirmed HAB in zone 3524. DISSIPATED.
Staying Safe Around HABs
Be prepared
Before you go in the water, check which waterbodies currently have HABS by using this NYSDEC Notifications page.
Know it
Because it is hard to tell a HAB from non-harmful algal blooms, it is best to avoid swimming, boating, otherwise recreating in, or drinking water with a bloom.
Avoid it
- People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with any floating mats, scums, or discolored water. Colors can include shades of green, blue-green, yellow, brown or red.
- Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present. In addition to toxins, untreated surface water may contain bacteria, parasites, or viruses that could cause illness if consumed.
- People not on public water supplies should not drink surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated, because in-home treatments such as boiling, disinfecting water with chlorine or ultraviolet (UV), and water filtration units do not protect people from HABs toxins.
Report it
- If you suspect that you have seen a HAB, fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Form to the NYSDEC.
- Please report any health symptoms to NYS Health Department at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov and your local health department.
The information above comes from the NYSDEC website.