MakingWaves - Drought Watch; Day in the Life of the Hudson; HAB Notifications

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 10/16/2020 12:00 PM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Share or view as a web page || Update preferences or unsubscribe

MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

  • Reminder: Five Regions Under Drought Watch
  • Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor
  • Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications

Reminder: Five Regions Under Drought Watch 

Map of New York State Drought Conditions Available 

Five regions of the State remain under a Drought Watch issued by DEC: Southern Tier, Long Island, Upper Hudson/Mohawk, Adirondacks, and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence regions. The drought watch status for these regions was issued after consulting with experts from the State Drought Management Task Force. 

There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch. However, local public water suppliers may require such measures depending upon local needs and conditions. Visit DEC’s Saving Water Makes Good Sense webpage for conservation tips that homeowners can take to voluntarily reduce their water usage.

For more detailed drought information, visit DEC's drought webpage.

Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor 

Two women with face masks and wearing boots stand in the Hudson River holding two ends of a seine net.On Thursday, Oct. 22, educators from DEC and more than 35 environmental education organizations will head to the shores of the Hudson River estuary and piers of New York Harbor with seine nets and water testing gear to collect data and study the Hudson River's fish, track the river's tides and currents, and examine water quality and chemistry during DEC's 18th Annual Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor.

Throughout the event, educators will compile interactive videos, which will be available the following week on DEC's Facebook Live. Data collected on Oct. 22 and over the last 17 years will be posted online along with the videos.

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications

Picture of Harmful Algal Bloom

Visit NYHABS, DEC’s harmful algal bloom notification map, to view locations of freshwater HABs in New York State that were reported in the past two weeks. Click on a dot for more information, including the date it was reported, the waterbody name, and pictures. Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view a list of reported HABs.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

If you see a HAB, please use the reporting form to submit a report to NYHABS.  

Because waterbodies may have HABs that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scums, and discolored water.

If you, your family, or pet have been in contact with a HAB, please rinse with clean water and report any symptoms to your local health department.