Good afternoon,
Data collection efforts on Twin Lakes conducted on August 14, 2023 indicate that concentrations of cyanobacteria were 183 natural units/mL on the upper lake and 2,038 on the lower lake, which is above the 1,500 natural units/mL Avoid Contact threshold for primary contact (swimming). There does not appear to be any regulated swimming beaches on Twin Lakes. Subsequently, the Pennsylvania HABs Task Force recommends that the managers and users of Twin Lakes:
Consider posting a HAB Watch for the entire lake. Continue to be vigilant for HABs in the lake by observing visual conditions, especially near boat docks and in other areas where people and pets may come in contact with HABs. The Task Force has developed a Watch recommendation for the purposes of communicating to the public that conditions could lead to a HAB and that users should be attentive. A Watch recommendation is appropriate when:
- Visual observations indicate conditions are optimal for a HAB;
- Waterbodies without public swimming beaches experience colony counts or toxin concentrations that exceed response level thresholds;
- Waterbodies with public swimming beaches experience colony counts or toxin concentration that exceed response level thresholds outside swimming areas;
- Waterbodies with or without public swimming beaches have previously experienced a HAB and subsequent visual observations, colony counts and/or toxin results indicate a HAB is no longer present.
What is cyanobacteria and why is it bad?
Cyanobacteria blooms can steal the oxygen and nutrients other organisms need to live. Cyanotoxins are among the most powerful natural poisons known. They can make people, their pets, and other animals sick.
Sample results will be made available on the Department of Health’s Harmful Algal Bloom Dashboard. Results are updated twice a week, which could cause some delay in recent sample results being posted.
Dashboard: HABs Dashboard (pa.gov)
The following DEP and DOH websites provide additional information for the public.
DEP HABs website https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/HABs/Pages/default.aspx
DOH HABs website https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/envirohealth/Pages/HABs.aspx
Michael (Josh) Lookenbill | Env. Program Manager, Water Quality Division
Department of Environmental Protection | Bureau of Clean Water
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market St. | Hbg PA 17105-8774
Phone: 717.783.2959 | Fax: 717.772.3249
www.dep.pa.gov
This post first appeared on Shohola Township | 159 Twin Lakes Road, Shohola, P, please read the originial post: here
