June 11, 2013- Burlington, VT – Become part of the team keeping tabs on Lake Champlain water quality! The Lake Champlain Committee (LCC) is looking for volunteers interested in monitoring shoreline locations for blue-green algae blooms. Since 2003 LCC has coordinated a volunteer blue-green algae monitoring program along the lake’s shoreline working in collaboration with Vermont and New York environmental and health agencies.

"Last year LCC trained over 100 people to assess water conditions and more than tripled the number of monitoring locations on the lake," said LCC Executive Director Lori Fisher. "We hope to involve more citizens and gather water quality information from an even broader geographic area in 2013."

Volunteers monitor a specific location once per week through the summer season (mid-June through Labor Day) and report results via LCC’s online form. LCC is looking for volunteers with weekly access to the lake near areas where recreation and water contact occurs. Weekly monitoring generally takes between 15 minutes and a half hour excluding transit with more time required during suspected or actual blooms.

“Volunteer algae monitoring offers citizens a great way to contribute valuable information about the lake while also learning more about it,” said LCC Staff Scientist Mike Winslow, who will be training monitors.

Summary of Volunteer Monitoring Requirements

All monitors are trained by LCC to assess and categorize water conditions and differentiate blue-green algae from other lake phenomena. Monitors observe water conditions at the same location generally on the same day of the week between 10 AM and 3 PM. During those hours algae have a chance to rise from lower in the water column, but cells are less likely to have ruptured from the heat of mid-day. Weekly reports are submitted to LCC via an online form. If a blue-green algae bloom is seen or suspected, volunteers submit digital photo documentation by email. All reports are reviewed by LCC and observations received by Wednesday at noon will populate the Lake Champlain blue-green algae tracking map housed at the Vermont Department of Health. The data are also provided weekly to beach managers, public health and environmental agencies, and monitoring volunteers.

LCC will run training sessions during June and early July. Anyone who has an interest in lake health is encouraged to sign up for a training session and learn how to identify blue-green algae. For information about currently scheduled monitor trainings or to schedule a session in your area of the lake, contact LCC at (802) 658-1414 or lcc@ lakechamplaincommittee.org.

Upcoming LCC Blue-green Algae Monitor Training Sessions

• Wednesday June 12 at 3:30 PM at the ShelburneTown Office downstairs public meeting room (5420 Shelburne Road in Shelburne)

• Thursday June 13 at 1:30 PM at the Essex NY Town Hall (2313 Main Street in Essex, NY)

• Thursday June 13 time and location TBA in Plattsburgh NY

• Monday June 17 at 10:30 AM at the Lake Champlain Committee office (208 Flynn Avenue, Bldng. 3, Studio 3F in Burlington)

LCC’s monitoring program is supported by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and LCC members.

About Blue Green Algae

Blue green algae (cyanobacteria) are a natural part of the lake ecosystem, but under certain conditions their population explodes, producing thick scums on the water surface. At times these scums may contain toxins that can be dangerous to humans and pets if ingested. The information collected by monitors provides New York and Vermont Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation and municipalities with key data about water conditions. In the event of blooms, volunteer information will inform decisions about whether or not to close public beaches or provide health alerts in certain areas.

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