New App to help document and detect Harmful Algal Blooms

The State Water Resource Control Board is asking for the public’s assistance in the documentation and detection of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). Water Boards across the state have collaborated to launch BloomWatch App at http://cyanos.org/bloomwatch/ allowing people who observe what they think is a HAB to document the site by photographing it and sending the information to the state’s water managers.

The BloomWatch App is asking that people first download the app (available for both IOS and Android systems), to become familiar with HABs and what they look like, and to then use the BloomWatch App to take good photos of potential blooms, 2) submit your photos to the project, 3) send info to the relevant state agency. However, the state water authorities caution the public to avoid the bloom and to not touch the water.

The new app will ask each individual to answer a few basic questions when submitting photos. Submissions through BloomWatch do not constitute a formal report to authorities but provide some citizen science assistance in detecting and controlling HABs.

The State Water Resource Control Board has also provided information for preventing HABs by adhering to the following:

• Be conservative with your use of water, fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn, garden

or agricultural operation.

• Avoid nutrient runoff by recycling any “spent” soil that has been used for intensive

growing by tilling it back into gardens, or protect it from rainfall.

• Create shade and filter out nutrients by planting or maintaining native plants around

river banks.

• Inspect and pump out septic systems every three to four years.
• Prevent surface water runoff from agricultural and livestock areas.
• Prevent erosion around construction and logging operations.