Pattison Lake Algae Tracking Data

For information on whether our lake has toxins over state guidelines, visit this website.

Toxins Info: 

→ For 2024 we had 5 possible blooms and one instance of toxin over guidelines for 1 week.
→ Past years: In 2023 we had microcystin above acceptable limits 6 times, from August to Oct. In 2022 we had microcystin above acceptable levels 3 times and in 2021 one time.  
→ For reference: the two toxins being tracked in our lake are: anatoxin, with acceptable limit for recreation at 1 ug/L, and microcystin, with acceptable limit for recreation at 8 ug/L. 

Ø The following table is for calender 2024 and provides data on algae and cyanobacteria (often called blue-green algae and is the source of possible toxins) in both the North and South basins by specific dates and locations.   The first column comes from an EPA website that tracks cyanobacteria from a satellite for lakes across the US.  We're hoping to find correlation between this remote sensing data and in-situ data that we gather.  The other columns are associated with reports and data, including tests done by the county and toxin levels.  

Ø We are asking the Pattision Lake community to email the PLMD Steering Committee (PattisonLMD@gmail.com), when you see a significant presence of algae and in particular, the presence of a significant scum and/or blue-green bloom.     

Ø When you see an issue: 1) Send us a picture, 2) Tell us the location (your dock, your address, or general area), 3) provide the date, 4) Provide your email or phone number so we can contact you if we need to.

Ø Our plan is to track the algae behavior across the lake and take samples when it looks bad and coordinate taking samples with the County and reporting their results.  We're particularly interested in identifying specific locations where blooms occur and tracking them across the basins.  We're also interested in understanding how localized or general the algae problems are.  When we receive measurements of the chemistry of the lake (specifically phosphorus), we'll report and track that as well.  

Images

*Click on any of the images below to expand into lightbox view.

32124N1: Lowe Dock