{"id":4567,"date":"2026-08-17T16:31:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T20:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uvm.edu\/seagrant\/?p=4567"},"modified":"2026-08-17T16:31:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T20:31:07","slug":"summer-on-the-lake-cyanobacteria-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uvm.edu\/seagrant\/2026\/08\/17\/summer-on-the-lake-cyanobacteria-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer on the Lake: Cyanobacteria Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Jessie Curl, Communications Lead & Program Specialist, Lake Champlain Sea Grant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science Writers Explore Cyanobacteria Blooms in Lake Champlain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This July, Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) welcomed science writers and members of the media aboard the R\/V Marcelle Melosira<\/em> for a hands-on look at cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Champlain. Participants joined scientists in collecting and analyzing water samples for cyanobacteria, while learning about ongoing research, the current state of the lake, and volunteer water quality monitoring programs. This annual trip aboard the research vessel helps equip media professionals with the knowledge needed to inform the public about water quality issues and share actions we can all take to protect Lake Champlain. This year, the focus was on reducing phosphorus pollution in the lake, a key contributor to cyanobacteria blooms.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The trip began with a \u201cCyanobacteria 101<\/em>\u201d lesson from Lake Champlain Basin Program<\/a> Chief Scientist Dr. Matthew Vaughan, who provided an overview of cyanobacteria and the environmental conditions that may contribute to bloom formation. \u201cCyanobacteria blooms can come and go very quickly,\u201d Vaughan explained. \u201cThese hot, dry days are when you should be thinking about it and looking out for it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continued monitoring and testing of water quality play an important role in protecting human health. Dr. Lindsey Cookson of the Lake Champlain Committee<\/a> highlighted the organization\u2019s cyanobacteria monitoring program<\/a>, which has trained and supported volunteers to survey bloom conditions and report findings since 2004.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The severity and existence of cyanobacteria blooms can vary from lake to lake and hour to hour. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation<\/a> State Limnologist Peter Isles emphasized the importance of awareness and education about the topic so that beach visitors can recognize blooms and recreate safely. \u201cThe nice thing about cyanobacteria in relation to some other water quality contaminants is that when they\u2019re present, you can see them. And if there\u2019s enough to be dangerous, you can definitely see them,\u201d said Isles. \u201cSo, once you learn to educate yourself and to recognize them, then you can enjoy our water safely.\u201d Cyanobacteria blooms can look like spilled paint, foam, or scum on the water\u2019s surface. Blooms can be green, red, brown, or blue. Sometimes they hide below the water\u2019s surface and are not highly visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing phosphorus pollution is one way that everyone can play a role in improving water quality. \u201cWhatever you can do on your property to minimize the water running off that property or erosion coming off the property is going to help the lake and help to minimize cyanobacteria,\u201d shared Dr. Kris Stepenuck, Extension Leader and Associate Director of Lake Champlain Sea Grant.<\/a> This includes reducing the application of phosphorus fertilizers to lawns (which, by law, should only be applied if a soil test indicates phosphorus is needed or when establishing a new lawn), picking up pet waste, and limiting impervious surfaces on your property.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants also learned about ongoing research at the University of Vermont, Vermont Limnology Laboratory<\/a>. Research Scientist Dr. Katelyn Warner discussed how the limnology lab studies phytoplankton community composition and how environmental drivers may be influencing them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re curious about the entire phytoplankton community as a whole. So, the Vermont Limnology Lab is looking at phytoplankton community composition, what environmental drivers are changing these communities, and how they shift over time in response to changes in weather patterns and nutrient cycling and all of that. We really are interested in who\u2019s all here and exists together and how those patterns might change over time,\u201d shared Warner.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A special thank you to our partners at the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Vermont, R\/V\u00a0Marcelle\u00a0Melosira,<\/em>\u00a0Lake Champlain Basin Program, and the Lake Champlain Committee for helping make this educational experience possible.\u00a0\u00a0
<\/path><\/svg><\/span> This trip resulted in media coverage from four\u00a0outlets:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WCAX:<\/a> Scientists aboard UVM research vessel study algae blooms on Lake Champlain <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABC22\/FOX44:<\/a> What to do about blue-green algae in Lake Champlain <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NBC5:<\/a> Vermont scientists use Lake Champlain boat ride to study cyanobacteria blooms <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WAMC:<\/a> Lake Champlain researchers highlight research into cyanobacteria blooms <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Capital for a Day Event Highlights Lake Carmi Restoration Efforts<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Champlain Sea Grant\u00a0Lake Monitoring and Community Outreach Coordinator\u00a0Mark Mitchell\u00a0had the opportunity to speak with Governor Phil Scott,\u00a0Vermont Agency of Natural Resources\u00a0Secretary Julie Moore, and Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets\u00a0Secretary Anson Tebbetts during\u00a0a \u201cCapital for a Day\u201d event in Franklin County, Vermont.\u00a0During the event,\u00a0Mark shared water quality samples collected from Lake\u00a0Carmi<\/a> through\u00a0Vermont\u2019s\u00a0Lay Monitoring Program,\u00a0highlighting the\u00a0important role\u00a0of community-based monitoring in lake restoration\u00a0efforts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mark Mitchell and Governor Phil Scott<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Carmi,\u00a0a 1,375-acre lake in the northwest corner of Vermont,\u00a0has experienced recurring cyanobacteria blooms for decades. These blooms\u00a0can\u00a0reduce water clarity,\u00a0emit a\u00a0foul odor, and\u00a0produce toxins that lead to beach closures and swimming advisories. Cyanobacteria blooms have had a significant impact on the local Lake Carmi community and economy.\u00a0In 2008,\u00a0the VT Department of Environmental Conservation listed Lake Carmi as \u201cimpaired\u201d for phosphorus, meaning that it did not meet Vermont\u00a0Water Quality Standards. This designation prompted a restoration plan to address the\u00a0amount of\u00a0phosphorus entering the lake.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A major milestone occurred last fall, when the lake underwent an aluminum sulfate (alum)<\/a> treatment\u00a0to address persistent internal phosphorus loading, which\u00a0fueled\u00a0repeated\u00a0cyanobacteria blooms.\u00a0Alum treatments have been\u00a0used successfully in lakes\u00a0for\u00a0decades, including twice\u00a0in\u00a0Lake Morey in Vermont, where\u00a0water quality\u00a0has significantly improved after treatments in 1986 and 2024.\u00a0The goal of the Lake Carmi alum treatment project is to address legacy phosphorus\u00a0stored in the lake\u00a0and its\u00a0sediments. The treatment, which can be effective for 10 to 15 years, is expected to contribute to improved water quality in the lake, particularly in reducing cyanobacteria blooms during the summer months and improving water clarity.\u00a0The treatment\u00a0appears\u00a0promising, as Mitchell\u00a0noted\u00a0that \u201cthe\u00a0Secchi disk depth was 4 meters, which is\u00a0nearly\u00a0double compared to previous years,\u201d\u00a0indicating measurable improvement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Capital for a Day event showcased the power of collaboration and the impact of sustained restoration work. Through persistence, partnership, and a commitment to learning, significant progress has been made toward improving the health of Lake Carmi. As many attendees noted, the accomplishments of the past five years serve as a strong example of what can be achieved when communities, organizations, and agencies work together toward a common goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you to Governor Phil Scott; the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources\/Department of Environmental Conservation\/Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture; the Lake Carmi Campers Association; the Town of Franklin; the Franklin NRCD; the NRPC; University of Vermont; LCSG; Lake Champlain Basin Program; and the many others who contributed both to this event and to the continued protection of Lake Carmi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Multilingual Cyanobacteria Warning Signs Available <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDanger! Swimming Area Closed\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unfortunately, this message has become more common during Vermont summers as warmer conditions create favorable environments for cyanobacteria blooms. While many beaches already have warning signage available,\u00a0some lack\u00a0prominent signs\u00a0or\u00a0signs\u00a0that aid beachgoers in understanding what blooms look like to inform their\u00a0decision of whether to swim\u00a0or recreate\u00a0in the water. Also, most beach warning signs\u00a0surrounding Lake Champlain\u00a0are only available in English. To\u00a0address this need, Lake Champlain Sea Grant worked with beach managers, nonprofit organizations,\u00a0and\u00a0Vermont and New York\u00a0health department\u00a0staff\u00a0to develop cyanobacteria warning\u00a0and swimming area closed\u00a0signs in eight different languages.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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LCSG has\u00a0English-language\u00a0election-style signs\u00a0available to distribute to local beach managers.\u00a0These signs\u00a0contain\u00a0a QR code link to online versions of the signs in\u00a0the other\u00a0languages.\u00a0The signs\u00a0are also\u00a0available for download and printing at go.uvm.edu\/bloom.\u00a0LCSG\u00a0is willing to\u00a0share the design files for beach managers\u00a0who\u00a0would like\u00a0to personalize contact information\u00a0at the bottom of\u00a0the signs.\u00a0Contact Kris Stepenuck\u00a0to inquire (kstepenu@uvm.edu).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By making these resources available to beach managers, watershed organizations, and community leaders, LCSG hopes to improve public awareness and ensure more people have access to information about cyanobacteria blooms and beach conditions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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