MAYVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Chautauqua County Health Department released information this week advising people to be aware of harmful algal blooms in Chautauqua Lake.
“Know it, avoid it, report it. The first step that everybody should do is take some time to familiarize themselves with what a harmful algal bloom is,” said Jessica Wuerstle, the director of Chautauqua County’s Environmental Health Services. “We advise people that any time they’re seeing an area that is really dense and does have that pea soup appearance or that spilled appearance on the surface, that’s a possible toxin emitting harmful algal and they should avoid that.”
Wuerstle said Chautauqua Lake is experiencing harmful algal blooms, which are a result of blue green algae. It can look like green pea soup, spilled paint or cause streaking in a lake’s surface, and can release harmful cyanotoxins…