Toxic algal blooms clearing up along the Hudson River

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A harmful algae bloom– or H-A-B — is starting to clear up along the Hudson River after a stretch of late summer heat and drought conditions led to unusual growth. NEWS10’s Amber Fisher spoke with a water quality scientist in about what caused the bloom.

Toxic algal blooms — also known as H-A-B’s — are patches of cyanobacteria. These bacteria are naturally present in most waters, but high temperatures, still conditions, and excess nutrients can cause them to grow out of control.

Julian Damashek, Water Quality Scientist with Riverkeeper, said that there was a reason the bloom was so concerning. “There are a few drinking water treatment plants right along the river here, too, that pull water from the river. So, the main concern was that we wanted to be sure that their treatment processes were taking out anything that was toxic, which they were, but it was something that we were always very conscious of.”

The bloom was first noticed in late August and early September — something scientists say is unusual for a moving body of water like the Hudson. The blooms usually occur in lakes, where the water is stagnant. As temperatures dropped and rain returned in late September, the bloom began to break up and dissipate.

 Increased rainfall also helped flush the toxins downriver. “The more freshwater that comes into the system from precipitation, rain and things like that will just wash things down the river faster as well. So, there’s a good chance that increased rain here and there has really helped kind of flush things out.” said Damashek.

Although this bloom on the Hudson has begun to dissipate, exposure to cyanobacteria can cause skin irritation, nausea, and breathing problems in people — and can be deadly for pets. Damashek advised, “We would just recommend that if you see anything that looks like these bright green streaks in the water or kind of a bright green film on top of the water, just try to avoid it. Don’t touch it, don’t swim in it. Maybe take your kayak somewhere else. Definitely don’t let your dog swim in it.”

The Department of Environmental Conservation runs an interactive map called the New York Harmful Algal Blooms System — where you can check the H-A-B status of waterways across the state on their website.