Monitoring and Evaluation of Cyanobacteria in Lake Champlain: Summer 2003, LCBP Technical Report #51

Brines, E., Clason, T., Kreider, M., Shambaugh, A.D., and Watzin, M.C. (2004). Monitoring and Evaluation of Cyanobacteria in Lake Champlain Summer 2003 (Technical Report No. 51). Grand Isle, VT: Lake Champlain Basin Program

In 2003, monitoring for potential toxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) continued on Lake Champlain with the following specific objectives:  1) Continue monitoring cyanobacteria in the greater Burlington area and at the Long-Term Water Quality and Biological Monitoring Project sites.  If possible, expand monitoring for cyanobacteria to several sites routinely sampled by the Vermont Lay Monitoring program. 2) Monitor selected sites on Missisquoi Bay, in coordination with the Province of Quebec. 3) Continue screening for the presence of toxins when potential toxin-producing species are observed in plankton samples. 4) Continue to refine and test a tiered cyanobacteria monitoring and public alert system framework, incorporating data and knowledge gained during 2002. 5) Develop a coordinated communication network among state and provincial agencies in Vermont, New York and Quebec to facilitate the exchange of information about current BGA conditions and the potential for human exposure to toxins, and to develop a lakewide standard for reporting this information. Note: Data are available in final report.