Community Science Institute

06/24/2026

Good information from our friends at Tompkins County Whole Health Department!

Harmful algal blooms have unfortunately become a common occurrence in the Finger Lakes over the last 10+ years, but that doesn't mean we should get complacent about their presence. There are real health risks associated with recreating in, or drinking, contaminated water. For more information: https://www.epa.gov/habs/how-people-and-animals-are-exposed-habs-and-their-toxins

06/23/2026

After nearly two months without any new reports, CSI confirmed the second Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) report of the 2026 season on Cayuga Lake yesterday. This latest bloom was observed in the Hibiscus Harbor area (Union Springs), about four miles south of that first report submitted on 4/23/26.

The volunteer who reported the bloom has been monitoring HABs for eight seasons and described the water as clear aside from an "oily green HAB." They also noted that the bloom appeared in a protected cove that tends to experience HABs every year and where blooms can linger for extended periods.

While HAB reports have been relatively quiet so far this season, this sighting is a good reminder that blooms can develop throughout the summer, especially in sheltered areas of the lake.

If you spot suspicious-looking water on Cayuga Lake, anyone can submit a HAB report using CSI's online reporting form: https://arcg.is/08nfyP1

A huge thank you to our volunteer HABs Harriers and Carriers as well as community members who help keep an eye on the lake and contribute to our understanding of HAB activity throughout the season!

This form is to be used by anyone who observes a suspected harmful algal bloom during the monitoring season (June 1 - October 31) on Cayuga Lake. Please fill the form out as completely as possible. If you experience any issues with the form, please contact the HABs Monitoring Program Coordinator, Al...

06/22/2026

We’re excited to share a big thank you to one of our newest 2026–2027 Business Members, Kristian Piscitelli - KMP Homes!

After an initial donation at the Stream Stewards level, KMP Homes has gone a step further by pledging an additional 5% commission from future home sales to support both the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the Community Science Institute.

At each closing, 5% of KMP Homes’ gross real estate commission will be split between these two 501(c)(3) nonprofits—helping advance clean water, watershed protection, and community-based science in the Cayuga Lake region.

The impact of this commitment is outlined in the graphic below.

Protecting lakefront property values starts with protecting our lakes.

I am proud to announce the Lake Legacy Initiative whereby every lakefront home sold by KMP Homes helps protect Cayuga Lake.

At closing, 5% of KMP Homes' gross real estate commission gets split between the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the Community Science Institute. Both organizations are 501(c)3 non-profits. The funding impact is outlined in the graphic below.

Further, to learn more about how your day-to-day at-home habits and practices impact your watershed, explore the Lake Friendly Living program at https://www.cayugalake.org/lake-friendly-living/ and sign up to Take the Pledge.

It is important to note that most, if not all, of the Finger Lakes' have adopted the same Lake Friendly Living program and it has become a regional program of lake stewardship.

Thank you to all of the hard work of CLWN and CSI to help keep Cayuga Lake healthy and the public educated!

06/19/2026

Community Science Institute will be closed on Friday, June 19th in honor of Juneteenth. We will reopen for regular business on Monday at 9 AM!

06/16/2026

Have you seen something like this floating on the water lately?

While it’s often mistaken for a harmful algal bloom (HAB), this is actually tree pollen! We're currently in peak pollen season, and trees across the region are releasing large amounts of pollen that can accumulate on the water's surface and resemble a bloom.

So how can you tell the difference?

🌳 Color: Tree pollen is typically yellow. HABs are most often shades of green, blue-green, turquoise, or aqua. While pollen and HABs can sometimes occur in the same area at the same time, a bright yellow slick is usually pollen.

📅 Time of year: May and June are prime pollen season, making pollen the most likely explanation for yellow surface accumulations. That said, HABs can occur in spring and early summer as well. In fact, Cayuga Lake's first confirmed HAB of 2026 was reported on April 23.

If you see something that might be a HAB on Cayuga Lake—even if you're not completely sure—we encourage you to report it. Community observations help us track conditions around the lake and investigate potential blooms.

06/11/2026

Thank you, Tompkins Weekly for continuing to assist us in sharing information about Cayuga Lake’s harmful algal blooms.

If you think you’ve spotted a HAB, please submit a report at this link: https://arcg.is/08nfyP1

Harmful algal blooms are hitting Cayuga Lake earlier and lasting longer, prompting health officials to warn swimmers and pet owners to watch for toxic green scum this summer.

📰: https://www.tompkinsweekly.com/news/harmful-algal-blooms-arriving-earlier-lasting-longer-officials-urge-vigilance-as-hab-season-returns-to-cayuga-lake-860b8f5d

📸: Left and center photos submitted. Right photo by Jaime Cone Hughes

06/09/2026

Last month, teams of volunteers braved a wide range of temperatures while collecting samples across the watershed from Cayuga Heights to Canoga. Storm events remained elusive throughout the month, resulting in all monitoring being conducted under baseflow conditions. Baseflow refers to the sustained, low-flow state of a stream or river during dry periods, when streamflow is supplied primarily by groundwater slowly discharging into the channel, along with delayed contributions from wetlands and lakes.

We also continued our longstanding partnership with the West Shore Neighborhood Association to monitor for E. coli along Cayuga Lake's west shore. This year marks our 12th consecutive year of collaboration, demonstrating the enduring value of community-based water quality monitoring.

The following are the Synoptic Events held this past month:

-Johnsons Creek: May 5th
-Cayuga Heights Streams: May 12th
-Canoga/Burroughs Creeks: May 12th
-Yawger/Great Gully Creeks: May 19th
-West Shore Neighborhood Association: May 19th
-Sheldrake Creek: May 21st

CSI Board Members and volunteers, Bob Meek and Steve Carroll, collected samples from sites along Sheldrake Creek. Photo: Jared Thomas.

06/03/2026

💦 Great news for the Cayuga Lake watershed and our local drinking water sources!

On June 1, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Finger Lakes Land Trust announced the protection of 33 acres within the Six Mile Creek and Cayuga Lake watersheds.

One of the newly protected properties consists of 18 acres in the Town of Caroline, including approximately 15 acres of wetlands—natural features that help filter pollutants, reduce runoff, and improve water quality downstream. The parcel was immediately transferred to the Wetland Trust, a New York State nonprofit organization, to be permanently protected and managed as wildlife habitat.

These conservation efforts help safeguard drinking water supplies for more than 29,000 people, including residents served by the City of Ithaca and Cornell University water systems, as well as communities served by Bolton Point.

Protecting land at the source is one of the most effective ways to protect water quality for future generations.

Read more: https://www.fllt.org/land-trust-and-nys-dec-announce-projects-to-protect-ithacas-water-supply/

📷 Photo: Chris Ray/FLLT

06/02/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is now available!

Last year marked an important milestone for Community Science Institute: 25 years of community-powered science in service of clean water. Over the past quarter century, volunteers, partners, supporters, and staff have helped build a legacy of accessible science and environmental stewardship, generating more than 150,000 water quality data points to better understand and protect our region's waters.

The 2025 Annual Report highlights a year of remarkable community impact, including:
💧 A record-breaking harmful algal bloom monitoring season on Cayuga Lake
🔬 Expanded stream, lake, and biological monitoring across regional watersheds
🚰 The launch of our Water Testing Assistance Program to increase access to drinking water testing
🌎 Continued growth of our education and outreach efforts through Journey of Water, public presentations, HABby Hour, and community events

None of this work would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, partners, members, donors, and supporters. Thank you for being part of CSI's first 25 years—and for helping shape the next 25.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report here: https://communityscience.org/annualreports/

The beautiful cover photo was provided by local drone photographer, Mike Dressing. Taken near Taughannock Falls State Park, looking to the north, in October 2025.

05/29/2026

Save the date: June 10th!

CSI’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Program Coordinator, Alyssa Johnson, will be one of the presenters during this virtual community conference hosted by Cayuga Lake Watershed Network!

💦Log on to learn about what Lurks in the Lake!

📣Register today for our Community Conference on June 10th, live ONLINE by Zoom! 6:30-8:00pm.

👉Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nn47Jsg5R861DrvP0C-Gcg #/registration

🐟Dive into the latest science from Cayuga Lake! Join regional experts for a community conversation exploring what recent harmful algal bloom monitoring and fisheries surveys are revealing about the health, ecology, and future of the lake we all share.