ALERT: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been observed in the south eastern end of the lake. LEARN MORE
Our Team of Many Members Has Been Busy Fran Rotunno Fish
Earlier this year when we were sending out membership renewal notices to our 2017 members, the letter started out with the following sentence: “The Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) of this past fall was the most “in your face” threat that Skaneateles Lake has ever experienced.” Sadly, here we are in August 2018 dealing with another Algal Bloom.
The Skaneateles Lake Association has confirmed the following information in conversation with the Onondaga County Department of Health. 8/9/18
The toxin level in “finished” (post treatment) drinking water provided by the City of Syracuse and the Village of Skaneateles to city, village and town residents and some towns outside the city of Syracuse was NON-DETECTABLE at the most recent testing.
A Large Team, but More Players Needed Fran Rotunno Fish
The Skaneateles Lake Association is comprised of a large team of players. Our 21 SLA Board Members are currently joined by 900 members (those who have joined the SLA within the past 12 months). That current membership list (as of 7/21/18) is on our website at SkaneatelesLake.org.
Confirmed HABs: Multiple locations, Skaneateles Lake: 8/4-8/6
NYSDEC
Below are the results from samples collected by trained volunteers on Skaneateles Lake and City of Syracuse staff. The sampling confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria HABs on 8/4 and 8/5. The bloom was reported to have dissipated today. The bloom status is compared to the DEC Confirmed Bloom threshold of 25 µg/L Bluegreen Chlorophyll.
With apologies, DEC does not have detailed information on the sampling locations at this time. Several reports received over the weekend indicated that accumulations were present at the north end of the lake near the pier.
Exposure to any cyanobacteria HABs can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms is touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. This is true regardless of toxin levels; some blue-green algae produce toxins, while others do not. Exposure to blooms and toxins can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. People and pets should avoid contact with blooms, and should rinse off with clean water if contact occurs. For more information go to www.health.ny.gov/harmfulalgae.
| Location | Date | HABs Status | BG Chl a (µg/l) | Visual Analysis |
| Skaneateles Lake | 8/4/2018 | Confirmed | 723 | Microcystis |
| Skaneateles Lake | 8/5/2018 | Confirmed | 87 | Microcystis |
| Skaneateles Lake | 8/5/2018 | Confirmed | 54 | Microcystis |
| Skaneateles Lake | 8/6/2018 | No Bloom | 10 | Microcystis |
| Skaneateles Lake Zone 4 | 8/6/2018 | No Bloom | 4 | Microcystis |
Source: NYSDEC
Lake George’s Jefferson Project is Coming to Skaneateles Lake
Fran Fish & Rick Relyea, Ph.D.
In early June, a delegation from the Skaneateles Lake Association (SLA) Board and the New York State Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Action Plan Committee traveled to Lake George to visit with the staff from The Jefferson Project at Lake George.
The 2018 Annual Meeting Fran Rotunno Fish
(Note: This article contains a summary of the “STATE of the LAKE” address made by Paul Torrisi, SLA President, at the 2018 Annual Meeting. If you would like a copy of the complete presentation, please click on the “contact us” tab on this website and request it and it will be emailed to you.)
On Saturday, June 30th, about 300 people came to Lourdes Camp for the first time or came back to the Camp of their own or their children’s or grandchildren’s childhood for the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Skaneateles Lake Association.
