Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Water Bodies

Photos of Lakes Before and After Algal Blooms

Algal blooms hurt wildlife, spoil recreation and can be toxic to people and animals. The following photos show lakes and ponds around the country that have been affected by algal blooms.


Harlem Meer, New York

Harlem Meer

Photo: Bill Benish

Harlem Meer during an algae bloom

Photo: Brad W.

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

New Yorkers and tourists love Harlem Meer for catch-and-release fishing and waterside strolling, but summertime algal blooms can kill off the fish and cause a stink that drives people away. Wildlife like herons and turtles are also harmed by these blooms.

Lake Hodges, California

Lake Hodges

Photo: Flickr user

Lake Hodges during an algae bloom

Photo: Carey N.

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

Lake Hodges is a reservoir in southern California used for drinking water and irrigation as well as recreation like fishing, boating and hiking. Algal blooms here have not only spoiled outdoor activities but at times have caused local utilities to stop drawing water until the algae clears.

Lake Erie, Ohio

Lake Erie

Photo: U.S. EPA

Lake Erie during an algae bloom

Photo: U.S. EPA

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

Lake Erie is the warmest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, which makes it susceptible to algal blooms. It is also a source of tap water to the region. In 2014, a toxic algal bloom in the lake's western basin forced Toledo, Ohio, to issue an advisory to over half a million people, telling them to avoid all contact with their tap water.

Shelburne Pond, Vermont

Shelburne Pond

Photo: Bob Von Bruns

Shelburne Pond during an algae bloom

Photo: Lisa B.

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

Shelburne Pond is just 10 miles from Burlington, Vermont, and is used for fishing, boating and hiking. Excess nutrients in the pond cause algal blooms that deter people from enjoying this scenic waterbody.

Cushwa Basin, Maryland

Cushwa Basin

Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cushwa Basin during an algae bloom

Photo: Eva M.

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

Cushwa Basin, in Williamsport, Maryland, greets hikers, joggers and cyclists along the C & O Canal Towpath. Bad odors produced by algal blooms drive people away and keep them from enjoying views of the historic barn and other nearby landmarks.

Oneida Lake, New York

Oneida Lake

Photo: Carol Bednar

Oneida Lake during an algae bloom

Photo: Amy H.

Select to compare:

Clean waterGreen water

Oneida Lake is a popular vacation spot in New York. Toxic algal blooms, which can cause skin and eye irritation to people and kill dogs, have closed beaches here to swimmers and boaters, disrupting tourism and hurting local businesses. Some years, beaches on Oneida Lake have been closed for all but just a handful of days due to algal blooms.


*All photos used with permission from the photographer or through a Creative Commons license.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Water Bodies

  • Basic Information on HABs
    • Learn about HABs
    • What Causes HABs
    • Exposure to HABs
    • Effects of HABs
    • What You Can Do
  • Trends, Monitoring Results & Forecasts
    • HAB Monitoring and Trends
    • HAB Forecasts
    • HAB Advisories
  • Managing HABs
    • Managing HABs in Surface Water
    • Managing Algal Toxins in Drinking Water
    • Managing Algal Toxins in Recreational Waters
  • HAB Laws, Tools and Data
    • HABHRCA
    • HAB Tools
    • HAB Data
  • HAB Methods & Research
    • HAB Methods
    • HAB Research
  • HAB Resources
    • EPA Outreach on HABs
    • Labs that Analyze for Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins
    • State & Tribal HAB Programs and Resources
    • State & Tribal Toxin Thresholds and HAB Advisory Decision Methods
    • HAB Resources from Other Federal Agencies and Organizations
    • Recent Papers, Upcoming Meetings and Webinars
Contact Us about HABs
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on April 23, 2025
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.