Are you seeing a normally-clear lake that has suddenly turned the color of pea soup or a blue-green paint spill? It may be a bloom of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which has the potential to produce toxins that affect humans, pets, and our ecosystems. Join citizen scientists from around the world to record the occurrence of these blooms locally! While few lakes in our area have had documented cyanobacteria blooms, they may be occurring in coves with restricted water flow and blooms can also be short-lived. This phone application lets you catch and easily document these occurrences. Because it is a nationwide program, you can document these water quality issues anywhere you travel.
LEA will be hosting an Environmental Protection Agency workshop using different tools (including the bloomWatch! app) for citizens to monitor algae (or lack of it) on their home waterbody on July 13th. The Cyanobacteria Monitoring & bloomWatch! app with Hilary Snook (EPA) workshop will provide hands-on information about monitoring techniques for cyanobacteria that can cause harmful algal blooms (HABs). Participants will receive in-depth training on the Cyanoscope kit (www.cyanos.org), including how to use the equipment and report their findings.
Who should attend? Staff and volunteers of watershed associations, lake associations, town health and conservation officials, and people interested in citizen science projects.
Registration for the workshop is required. To register, please email Alyson at alyson@leamaine.org. Call with any questions: (207) 647-3318.
