05/23/2026
DEC Announces Start of 2026 'NYHABS' Online Notification and Reporting System for Harmful Algal Blooms
Interactive Map Displays Bloom Locations DEC Encourages New Yorkers to "Know it, Avoid it, Report it"
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active. As the 2026 harmful algal blooms (HABs) notification season starts, this system will provide New Yorkers, including trained citizens, the ability to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically via a simple user- and mobile phone-friendly form.
“DEC and our partners at the New York State Department of Health encourage the public to report any sightings through the interactive NYHABS notification system to help effectively monitor and communicate where and when HABs are occurring across the state,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. "DEC is committed to continuing our nation-leading work to address harmful algal blooms in New York’s waterbodies and lessen the negative impacts they can pose to water quality, public health, recreation, and local economies.”
DEC and the State Department of Health (DOH) work closely to evaluate HAB reports and once confirmed, reports are posted to the NYHABS page. https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications
The system features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed about potential HABs. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e5dec19912454731a308bbb7af605fb3
While cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in the environment, certain conditions lead to accumulations that become HABs. Blooms are likely triggered by a combination of factors that include excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and warm temperatures. HAB occurrence and reporting typically increase throughout the season with the most reports received during the warmest months of August and September. Regardless of the presence of toxins, HABs can pose a risk to public health.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “As people flock to New York’s waters this summer, we encourage the use of the NYHABS to report Harmful Algal Blooms as they can have negative health effects for both people and pets. The Department will continue our partnership with local water suppliers, beach operators and the Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor for Harmful Algal Blooms as part of our commitment to protecting drinking water and recreational use of our freshwaters.”
DEC’s research on statewide HAB trends https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10402381.2022.2161436 suggests successful outreach and increased public awareness is an important reason why DEC confirms HAB occurrence on new waterbodies each year. Public awareness of HABs, what they look like, and potential impacts of HABs is the first step in protecting public health. DEC provides informational resources, such as HAB warning signs (PDF)https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habwarningsign.pdf for posting locally, and encourages reporting to NYHABS as a central component of raising public awareness for where and when HABs are occurring.
When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to “KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT.”
KNOW IT - HABs vary in appearance, from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.
AVOID IT - People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.
REPORT IT - If members of the public suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC's website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to DOH at [email protected].
To further advance efforts to reduce and mitigate the impacts of HABs in the state, DEC recently announced the HAB Roadmap (PDF).https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/HABroadmap.pdf
The Roadmap provides a comprehensive and strategic guide for DEC, the public, and other researchers to further the statewide mission to address HABs by establishing six key focus areas. These focus areas clearly identify objectives to improve the understanding of HAB causes, reduce impacts to health and recreation, and importantly, identify specific short- and long-term steps to take in achieving those objectives.
Additionally, DEC recently released the HAB Research Grant Program to fund research in support of the objectives of the HAB Roadmap and the research focus areas of the HABs Research Guide (PDF).https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/HABsResearchGuide.pdf
The HABs Research Guide was developed to advance the study, management, and mitigation of HABs in New York State and as a resource for DEC staff, other local, State, or federal agencies, and research partners to fill knowledge gaps and advance efforts to reduce HABs. Research priorities supported by the Grant Program and described in detail in the Research Guide include Prevention and Mitigation, Causes of HABs, Monitoring and Modeling, and Communication, Engagement, and Outreach.
Using applied research findings, DEC has improved its monitoring efforts and developed its holistic approach to HAB management, based on Clean Water Planning and long-term nutrient reduction and funding to implement nutrient reduction strategies. https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/clean-water-plans The new HAB Research Grant Program harnesses the collaborative capacity of the research community to advance goals of the HAB Roadmap and priorities of the HAB Research Guide to improve understanding and management of HABs and to reduce their impact across the state.
Since 2021, New York awarded more than $424 million in grants that support reducing the frequency of HABs by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, and dedicated more than $6.7 million to research and development, pilot projects, and advanced HABs monitoring.
For more information about HABs, including bloom notifications, which are updated daily through fall, visit DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms
or check Frequently Asked HABs Questions (PDF).https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/hab_faq.pdf
The HAB Program Guide (PDF),https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/habsprogramguide.pdf which includes information and links to resources regarding bloom prevention, management, and control, can also be downloaded from the DEC website. Surface water quality data generated by DEC is made publicly available through the Division of Water Monitoring Portal. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/301748017d7d40649bc5082fc1c5365e
Visit DOH's website for DOH’s public health information. https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/
