You can see how low the water level is along the rocks at Kershaw Park.

The Lake This Week

As the nights continue to cool off - the lake's average water temperature keeps going down - pushing the thermocline deeper (more about this below). Average water clarity improved this week again which is nice to see however with this warm, sunny weather and no rain we had two small, localized bloom reports this week on the east side of the lake- bringing our total number of reports for the season to six.

HABs Update

Two additional reports for HABs were confirmed this week - again on the east side of the lake for small, localized areas along the shoreline. One sample was taken over to FLI for analysis as part of our long term HABs monitoring program. Total cyano-chlorophyll measured 203.99 ug/L - well above the threshold of 25 ug/L to be considered a bloom - so the sample will also be tested for toxin levels - but those results are not available right away.

With this warm weather - we might very well receive some more bloom reports later today and over the weekend. September is typically the time of year when the lake can potentially have large blooms. Educate yourself by reading more below about how to identify and report potential HABs if you aren't already familiar. Please enjoy the lake this gorgeous weekend - but also keep an eye out - and when in doubt - stay out!

photo of bloom reported on September 9th in Vine Valley area of lake.

This photo from Sept 9th this week from one of our ioLight volunteers shows mainly Microcystis in their water sample (and a small rotifer on the bottom left).

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.

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. You can also upload a HABS report directly to DEC here.

Visit NYHABS map here NYHABs map on Sept 12 shown below.

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.

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

For images and more information on HABs, refer to the section below.

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.

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.
• Report the bloom to the NYSDEC NYHABs portal: on.ny.gov/habform 

HABs Links and Resources

Further reading on HABs and their impacts on human and pet health

NYS Department of Health HABs Website

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation HABs Website

Dogs and HABs

Drinking Water and HABs

Information for Surface Water Drawers during HAB Season

Article on the Contributing Factors to HABs in Canandaigua Lake

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to HABs@canandaigualakeassoc.org. 

Thermal Stratification and the Thermocline

The thermocline is the distinct layer where the water temperature changes rapidly with depth. It separates the warmer surface water from the cooler, denser bottom water.

In the summer as the sun warms the surface water - a distinct layer is created at the surface called the epilimnion. This warm, less dense water is separated from the cooler, dense water in the hypolimnion at the lake bottom by the thermocline - which is found in the metalimnion.

As the surface waters cool in the fall - they become denser and start to sink. Eventually - the lake mixes or turns over - becoming uniform in temperature and density and mixing dissolved oxygen throughout.

Many lakes then stratify again in the winter (as shown in the image below) - however in Canandaigua's case the lake stays mixed during most winters due to the lake of ice cover allowing for the wind to keep the water moving and unable to stratify.

Diagram showing typical process of stratification or lake turnover for a dimictic lake. Canandaigua Lake doesn't stratify as shown here in the winter due to its lack of ice cover.

Canandaigua Lake typically turns over in late November or early December. As you can see on the chart below - the process of the warm surface waters cooling off and becoming more dense and sinking has already begun.

This graph shows the water temperature at depth this year 4.8 miles south of the north end - about halfway between Deep Run and Pelican Point. Thanks to our dedicated CLWA citizen scientists for gathering this data for us!

What does this graph show us?

Winter

During the winter, the water temperature is cold and uniform with depth, as seen by the constant temperature curve on March 23. As explained above - the lake of ice cover keeps the lake mixed all winter.

Spring

As spring begins - there is slight warming of surface and deep water by April 23, and by May 27 there is warming of surface and steep decline in temperature below 40 feet. This demonstrates development of the thermocline. By end of May, the surface is is 20 degrees warmer than in winter, but still cold for swimming though comfortable for fish. 

Summer

By June 21, the surface has warmed to 70 degrees but there is steep decline in temperature starting at 16 feet - a shallow thermocline has set up. By July 15, the surface was warm, above 80 degrees, but steep decline in temperature starting at about 25 feet. By August 11 the surface cooled below 80 degrees but the water was above 75 degrees down to 35 feet. This demonstrates the gradual cooling of the surface and the deepening of the thermocline that commonly occurs as warm summer turns to cooler fall. Notice that on September 10 the temperature dipped below 70 degrees but the thermocline is deeper, indicating redistribution of summer warmth. 

Fall

We anticipate in October the surface will be cooler and thermocline deeper until fall turnover happens in late November.

Why does thermal stratification matter?

Stratification creates distinct layers within the lake - which greatly influences water chemistry, nutrient distribution, and aquatic life. Stratification affects the movement of plankton including cyanobacteria throughout the water column which plays a role in where and when HABs develop. Ask any angler that fishes for cold water species like lake trout or salmon - and if they want to catch any fish - and they will know just where the thermocline is!

Mollusk Mayhem

Emily has been out and about collecting shells along the shoreline. There are three different invasive species pictured here in her hand. Can you name all three?

Email Emily at edebolt@canandaigualakeassoc.org with the name of all three. If you get all three correct (and yes - spelling counts!) - you will be entered into a drawing for one lucky winner to win a fabulous CLWA T-shirt.

*All entries must be received by 5 pm on Monday Sept 15th. Good luck!

Cooler temps are the perfect time to think about adding native plants to your landscape!

Trees, shrubs, and perennials are all great to plant now as the cooler temps reduce plant stress while the warm soil temps promote root growth - helping plants establish a stronger root system before winter dormancy. This gives plants a significant jump start compared to planting in the spring - making them more resilient to heat and drought stress next season.

You may be familiar with Liatris spicata - Dense blazing star. This Liatris sp. is common in gardens and blooms earlier in the summer. Pictured above is Liatris ligulistylis - also known as Showy or Meadow Blazing Star. Less common - but becoming easier to find for sale - this native is a showstopper in the garden - and the pollinators take notice! Often noted as a favorite of late summer/early fall migrating monarch butterflies - Meadow Blazing Star is a great addition to the garden for late summer color. 

Learn more about other ways to Live Lake Friendly here.

Upcoming Events

Heron Hill and CLWA Collaboration Tasting Event

During this event you will also enjoy:

• A short welcome presentation by Heron Hill and CLWA
• Live music by the duo High Strung
• A tour of the gorgeous Cabernet Franc vineyard
• Delicious treats donated by Julie Woloson
• Light snacks to enjoy with your drinks
• The opportunity to speak with Heron Hill's amazing staff and wine makers
• The opportunity to learn more about how you can get involved and help in lake protection efforts

Chardonnay:

A bright golden straw colored wine with powerful aromatics of lemongrass and green apple skins balanced with minerality. The palate is bracing, but balances with medium to full body.

Cabernet Franc:

Rich and exciting with plum, blackberry, mint, and clove aromatics. On the palate the wine shows tremendous strength with ripe tannins, seamless acidity and wonderful fruit and herbal tones leading to a long finish. This is a wine that will do well over the next 8-12 years in the cellar as well.

WHERE DO THE GRAPES COME FROM?

Ingle Vineyard, situated on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, is the largest vinifera vineyard on the lake. Owned and maintained by the Ingle family for over 50 years, the vineyard is rooted in sustainability, free of herbicides and pesticides, and for using environmentally responsible practices. All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure only the finest fruit is selected.

$24 Per Case is donate back to CLWA. Preserve the Lake, One Bottle at a Time!

When: Friday, September 26th, 10:00AM-12:30PM and 1:30-4:00PM

Where: Great Hill Preserve, 4756 S Hill Rd, Middlesex, NY 14507

*Meet location will be Clark’s Gully parking area because parking is a bit tricky at the preserve. We will then carpool to the preserve.*

Please wear appropriate attire for trail work and bring plenty of water and a snack if you’d like. We will be working on cutting switchback along the trail. We will take a lunch break mid-day. You can plan to join us for the morning, the afternoon - or both!

*Registration is required so we know how many volunteers to expect. Register at the link below. Thank you!*

Chipotle Fundraiser to Benefit CLWA - Mark Your Calendars!

New York State Federation of Lakes Association (NYSFOLA) Western Region Conference

When: Saturday, October 25th, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Where: The Woods, 6021 State Route 21, Naples, NY 14512

Join NYSFOLA for its 32nd Annual Western Regional Conference at this gorgeous location with breathtaking views of the Lake. During this conference, you will have the opportunity to learn from water quality experts on current lake and watershed issues facing our region, and have the chance to connect with fellow lake lovers involved in surrounding lake associations.

You will find further conference details, including the cost and agenda at the registration link below. We hope you can join us for this fabulous event.

Photo by The Woods