Credit Lake Champlain Basin Program/Larry Dupont
Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Blooms looking south on Lake Champlain from the Missisquoi Bay Bridge. Photo by Larry Dupont
More than 200 volunteers will monitor Lake Champlain this summer for signs of blue-green algae blooms.
Heat and low winds encourage growth of the toxic blooms. Peak season for their formation is in August.
The volunteers have been trained by the Lake Champlain Committee which, along with the Department of Environmental Conservation, assists with surveillance and sample collections. They also are working with the state Health Department.
Authorities say boaters, swimmers, water-skiers, waders and pet-owners should avoid contact with blue-green algae. Children are at higher risk because they are more likely to drink the water.
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