Water Quality Update for Friday, July 24, 2026 | | Did someone forward you this email? Click HERE to subscribe directly. | | The CLWA Weather Station is located at Canandaigua BoatWorks on the east side of the lake. | | Thursday was just a beautiful afternoon and evening! View looking south from Kershaw Park. | | |
There has been a lot going on around the lake since last Friday's update. We got that big wind and rain storm on Saturday and more rain from another big storm on Tuesday, which brought in some cooler temps mid-week. These storms brought sediments and nutrients into the lake as some streams looked like chocolate milk right after the rain.
Overall average water clarity decreased a bit - with reports coming in today showing even more of a decrease. Average surface temps had a larger decrease - from 79 degrees F last week to 74.7 degrees F this week.
Now we are back up to warm and sunny weather today - and unfortunately our first HAB reports have started to come in today.
| You can see the lake level rose 2.28 inches after the rain on Saturday. It started to go back down - then went up again slightly after Tuesdays storm, and it is once again going back down. | | Weekly water clarity and temp data collected by our dedicated CLWA Citizen Science volunteers. You can see that average clarity is just slightly lower this week than last - but all that rain and then cool weather mid-week decreased the average surface temperatire by about 4 degrees. | | |
In this weeks update:
- HABs Update
- Stream Sampling Update
- CLSAP: Phosphorus Data
- From Our Neighbor: Cayuga Lake Whiting Event
- Summer Photo Contest
- Upcoming events
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Today was the first official day of our volunteer shoreline monitoring program—and it also happened to be the day we received our first harmful algal bloom (HAB) reports from our volunteer monitors!
The blooms reported so far are on the east side of Canandaigua Lake, extending from around Jones Road to the south up to Deep Run to the north. We have also heard from a few people near Crystal Beach who are seeing small dots in the water, which may indicate that additional blooms could develop later this afternoon.
Based on current weather conditions, we expect more reports may come in throughout the day. So far, all reported blooms are concentrated along the mid-east side of the lake.
| | The first HAB report came in at 11 am from the east side of the lake right near where Jones Road meets East Lake Rd. | | Confirmed bloom reports have come in from Jones Road to the south to Deep Run to the north on the east side. We have also heard from volunteers that conditions look ripe for more potential bloom reports in the Crystal Beach area. | |
Remember: HABs are constantly changing.
They can appear, move, and disappear quickly. A bloom reported in one location does not mean that the entire lake is affected or that conditions are the same everywhere.
Our HAB map is a helpful tool for seeing where blooms have been reported, but it is not an exact, real-time picture of conditions across the lake. Before swimming, boating, or letting pets near the water, take a moment to look at the water where you are. If you see water that looks like spilled paint, pea soup, or has unusual discoloration or surface scum, stay out.
When in Doubt - Stay Out!
Knowledge is power! Knowing what HABs look like and staying informed can help you safely enjoy Canandaigua Lake all summer long. Stay observant, stay informed, and help us spread the word!
| | Microcystis is the main cyanobacteria found in Canandaigua Lake that forms HABs. Microscope images today from the Crystal Beach area confirm that we are in fact seeing Microcystis in the water right now. Microcystis can produce the toxin Microcystin - which is a hepatotoxin - or a toxin that affects the liver. | | |
Stay informed so you can enjoy Canandaigua - or other New York Lakes - safely and confidently this summer.
We have a map on our website homepage for Canandaigua Lake reported blooms from our volunteers.
NYHABS Map
The link below leads to the NYHABS interactive map and displays the location of HABs in New York State. Each blue dot outlined in black represents a HAB reported in the past 2 weeks. There may be other waterbodies with HABs that have not been reported to DEC. All reports through our monitoring program are shown on our own map on our website. CLWA staff uploads all HABs report to the NYHABs database that we receive through our trained volunteers so it sometimes takes a few days for them to be loaded. You can also upload a HABS report directly to DEC here.
Visit NYHABS map here. NYHABs map on July 24 shown below.Note the Canandaigua Lake reports from today do not show up yet. Data has to be submitted and verified before showing on the map.
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About HABs
Cyanobacteria, sometimes referred to as blue-green algae because of their color, are among the oldest organisms on Earth. They are naturally occurring in our lakes, generally in low numbers.
When triggered by the perfect storm of conditions - such as heavy rains followed by a few days of warm weather with calm winds - cyanobacteria may begin to increase, forming “blooms”. HABs can appear quickly and persist for hours or days, or they can disappear almost as quickly as they formed.
Since previous research informs us that high levels of toxins (microcystin) may accompany the blooms, humans and our pets should avoid coming into contact with the water when an active bloom is observed.
How to identify blooms
Use visual cues to identify potential blooms. They can appear like pea soup, spilled paint, surface streaks or scum. The color is typically green, blue-green, or yellow, but can also be brown, red, or purple. When blooms are discovered, they are usually found along shorelines or in cove areas. They are most often seen along the stretch of shoreline that is impacted by the prevailing winds. However, during significant bloom events, sometimes they can be found in open water areas.
Visit the NYS DEC website to learn more about identifying blooms.
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Remember - conditions can change rapidly. Please use caution when out on the lake and look for characteristics of HABs including water that looks like:
- Pea soup, spilled paint, surface streaks or scum
- Color's that are typically green, blue-green or yellow but can also be brown, red or purple
- Typically found along shorelines or coves
Please, to keep yourselves and pets safe, avoid any water conditions that appear to be bloom-like. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at 585-394-5030 with any questions or email us at HABS@canandaigualakeassoc.org if you are concerned about water quality. Sending us photos of the water is strongly encouraged. Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned.
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What should you do if you suspect a bloom
When in doubt, stay out!
- Don't swim, wade, jetski, waterski or tube in a bloom.
- Shower if exposed to bloom conditions. Wash pets off if they have gone into bloom-infested waters.
- Don't consume fish from the lake during blooms.
- Do not use PRIVATE water drawn from the lake during a bloom. Public water supplies have safeguards in place and can be utilized unless you are otherwise notified.
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Report the bloom to the NYSDEC NYHABs portal: on.ny.gov/habform
| | Stream Flow and Nutrient Sampling Project Update | |
After the rain on Saturday July 18th, CLWA volunteers went out to sample Deep Run and Gage Gully to collect stormwater flow and nutrient samples. These measurements - along with our monthly baseline samples - will be used to develop flow curves for these streams to help determine the nutrient loading into the lake. As you can see - Gage Gully had much more stormwater runoff compared to Deep Run.
This makes sense as Gage Gully has a much smaller subwatershed than Deep Run - meaning it would be expected to be 'flashier'. Smaller drainage basins respond much more rapidly to large rain events because they have less surface area for the rainwater to travel across and fewer natural storage opportunities - so stormwater reaches the stream much quicker than a larger watershed. This means Gage Gully experiences sudden, sharp spikes in water levels immediately following heavy downpours.
| Our stream flow monitoring program has been set up with the help of research partner Dr. Stephen Shaw from SUNY-ESF and the Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions. Our samples are taken to Finger Lakes Institute for certified lab analysis. This is a new program in 2026 so more to come as we progress! Thanks as always to Canandaigua BoatWorks for providing access to sample Gage Gully on their property. | Citizen Science Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) | | |
The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is a long-running volunteer lake monitoring partnership between NYSDEC and NYSFOLA.
Trained volunteers collect water quality data throughout the summer, including water temperature, Secchi transparency (water clarity), conductivity, pH, color, total phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, calcium, and chloride.
This consistent, long-term monitoring helps track changes in lake health, identify water quality trends, and provide valuable scientific data to support lake management and protection efforts.
CLWA has been participating in CSLAP since 2017. In addition to our weekly monitoring of water clarity that we share in these updates, our CSLAP monitoring site provides valuable long-term data to help track changes and trends in Canandaigua Lake’s water quality over time. State-wide CSLAP is available online.
Canandaigua Lake consistently records lower total phosphorus, lower chlorophyll-a (algae), and substantially higher water clarity (Secchi disk transparency) than the vast majority of New York State lakes. Last week we talked about the long term water clarity data for our lake. This week we are looking at our phosphorus.
Phosphorus is a critical "limiting nutrient" that controls biological productivity and algae growth in most New York lakes. Even tiny increases can trigger major ecological and aesthetic shifts. Long term data shows our phosphorus levels well below the 0.010 mg/L threshold for oligotrophic lakes.
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What is a Trophic State?
Lakes are often labeled by their trophic state -oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic - when talking about water quality and lake health.
The Trophic State Index provides a standardized way to assess the health and nutrient status of lakes, helping scientists, managers, and the public understand the ecological condition of these important water bodies.
- Oligotrophic : Low nutrient levels, clear water, and low biological productivity.
- Mesotrophic: Moderate nutrient levels and productivity.
- Eutrophic: High nutrient levels, excessive plant and algal growth, and potentially poor water quality.
Phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and water clarity are the three key indicators used to determine a lake's trophic state. Last week we looked at our water clarity data and this week we looked at phosphorus. That leaves chlorophyll-a for next time!
| | Cayuga Lake had a 'whiting' event earlier this month - so dramatic that it was captured by satellite images. You can see Otisco Lake did as well. The change in water color can be confused with a potential HAB - but whiting events are a naturally occuring phenomenon. Read all about it here in their last week's water quality update. Learn more about whiting events here. | | Image: July 13, 2026. Copernicus Sentinel-2, © European Union, Copernicus Programme, viewed using Copernicus Browser. | | CLWA Photo and Video Contest | | |
The CLWA Annual Photo & Video Contest is underway. We have many fabulous entries already! Keep them coming! Please share your photos and videos of our gorgeous watershed throughout the seasons today for the chance to win great local prizes! The winning photos are featured on our calendar and notecards every year.
- Voting begins July 1
- Entry Period Closes August 15
- Winners Announced by August 29
| | Invasive Species Pull with FLPRISM and CLWA | | |
When: Wednesday, July 29, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Woodville Boat Launch, Rte 21, 3 miles north of Naples
Join the CLWA and the Finger Lakes PRISM in the West River in Naples to pull Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).
Event Details:
- AIS removal will focus on European frogbit and water chestnut
- Receive a quick lesson on AIS at the launch
- Please wear appropriate attire for paddling
- Bring plenty of water and a snack if you’d like
All boats that PRISM had available for volunteers to use are full. If you have your own kayak or canoe you can bring, we would still love your participation.
Thank you for volunteering to help manage invasive species in our watershed!
| | The Canandaigua Mile Race (Can come walk too!) | |
When: Sunday, August 2nd, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Up to 200 racers will take off on Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua at 8:30 am on Sunday August 2nd to race the fastest mile in the Finger Lakes. The race is also open to folks that just want to walk and support the cause! The race will conclude with a post-race party at New York Kitchen. A huge thank you to NY Kitchen for donating their space for the after party!
A huge thank you goes out to Abbie Sullivan, A.J. Beers and their amazing team for all their time and effort in organizing this fabulous event for the fourth year in a row and for their passion to raise awareness on water quality issues. Every year they have generously donated proceeds to CLWA to help fund lake protection efforts. We are so grateful for your support.
*See below about clean-up that is happening as part of this event*
| Canandaigua Lake Shoreline Clean-Up (Following CDGA Mile) | |
When: Sunday, August 2nd, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (*Come at anytime during this time period*)
Where: Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Following the race, community volunteers and race participants are invited to help with a lake shoreline cleanup in partnership with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to raise awareness for water quality and reduce trash in the community of Canandaigua. We hope you can join us! Bring a friend!
| | This Month is Packed with Exciting Partnerships! | 'Savor the Flavor. Support the Lake' Partnership Is Back! | |
Now in its second year, the collaboration between Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake, Heron Hill Winery, and CLWA brings together local food, Finger Lakes wine, and lake stewardship to inspire residents and visitors alike to help protect the lake that make Canandaigua such a special place to live, work, and visit.
From July 1st through September 30, Nolan's will once again feature a limited-edition Heron Hill Winery Chardonnay in support of CLWA. A portion of every bottle sold will be donated to CLWA to advance our mission of protecting, preserving, and restoring Canandaigua Lake through science, education, and advocacy. Read all about the partnership here in the Democrat and Chronicle.
| Jack Johnson Match Campaign | CLWA had a blast in the Village Green on July 1st at the Jack Johnson concert at CMAC. As part of our partnership with Jack Johnson's All At Once Foundation, we have another incredible opportunity. Donations up to $2,500 made to CLWA now through October will be MATCHED by the Johnson Ohana Foundation. Donate below, and you will DOUBLE your impact in protecting Canandaigua Lake! | Make a Splash Campaign with Wegmans | |
The Make A Splash Campaign is back at the Canandaigua Wegmans through the end of September! You can help by purchasing a limited-edition Make A Splash reusable bag or making a donation at checkout. Proceeds are shared equally between the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association.
Thank you to Wegmans and everyone who supports this community effort. Together, we're making a lasting difference for Canandaigua Lake.
| Join or renew your 2026 CLWA membership today! | |
Thank you for being a valued member of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association (CLWA). Because of your support, we’re able to protect and preserve the lake we all care so deeply about – and serve as a strong, trusted voice for the lake and its future.
Now is the time to renew your 2026 membership and help ensure Canandaigua Lake remains healthy for today and future generations. If you already renewed this year -- thank you!
With over 600 supporters and 85+ dedicated volunteers, only CLWA connects and communicates with our community about vital science-based information to help safeguard the lake and inspire a culture of stewardship. As advocates and the voice for the lake, we use citizen science, education, and outreach to empower our community to take meaningful action.
Every dollar you give fuels the science, education, outreach, and advocacy needed to protect Canandaigua Lake as a vibrant and cherished resource.
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The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Our Tax ID is 16-1071349.
Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. A copy of the organization’s most recent financial report may be obtained from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, by calling (212) 416-8686, or by visiting www.charitiesnys.com. You may also request recent financial reports by contacting CLWA directly at 144 Mill Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 or by calling (585) 394-5030.
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