Randy Turner

By May 1, 2017, in time for harmful algal bloom season, a new feature will appear on California's Harmful Algal Bloom portal (http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/) that displays satellite imagery designed to detect emerging and historical blooms. Using data and algorithms provided by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the San Francisco Estuary Institute developed a new tool under the guidance of California's Bio-accumulation Oversight Group. 

Satellite remote sensing will aid the State of California in assessing cyanobacterial bloom threats to animal and human health across the state’s numerous large lakes. 

Over the past decade, the Klamath Basin has been in the forefront of national attention due to contentious resource issues related to water allocation, water quality, proposed dam removal, and protection and recovery of threatened and endangered species.

There are thousands of lakes in the State of California. A number of these lakes are experiencing “harmful algal blooms” associated with cyanobacteria, or CyanoHABs. These blooms impact drinking water supplies and recreational safety, and have caused the deaths of numerous dogs and other domestic animals, as well as wildlife. Due to the number of lakes in the State, it would be a monumental task to conduct water quality monitoring sufficient to assess threats to animal and human health and to understand status and trends.

The State has contracted SFEI to provide intellectual, scientific, and technical resources to support its efforts to monitor and report on the ever-growing problem of cyanobacterial blooms in its lakes and rivers. These blooms are such a serious concern because they can generate harmful toxins which can threaten wildlife, livestock, pets, and in certain cases, human life.