Living in Buffalo and Western New York, it’s sometimes easy to forget that we have access to a resource that many people around the nation don’t: a direct connection to one of the world’s most significant sources of fresh water.
With Lake Erie and Lake Ontario right in our backyard, we can do many things that people could only dream of, such as hopping on the water in a boat or canoe, or simply sitting near the beach. That’s a great thing about having more than 80% of North America’s freshwater within a few minutes of our homes. Having more than 6 Quadrillion gallons of water around the corner is just something most of the country can’t relate to.
Now that the warm water is here, you may find yourself strolling along one of our many local waterways. Now, while there’s nothing better than enjoying the water in town, you may need to be careful, as one community is dealing with an issue in the summer unless that body is dealing with a harmful algae bloom.
What Is Harmful Algae?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation states that Harmful Algae Blooms, or HABs, happen in freshwater, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, and are characterized by large, visible patches of cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae…