Track Reports of Harmful Algal Blooms Across Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) maintains an interactive map where all harmful algal bloom (HAB) investigations in the state are shown.

If you zoom into a location, you can see when a report was filed, what sampling has occurred, and any follow up that the VDH determines is necessary. Often, there is a photo that goes with a report,

There are dots on the map for the Smith Mountain Lake area, most are green and three are blue.

The green dots show where the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has collected regularly scheduled samples for toxin analysis. Just this season, DEQ committed to collecting and analyzing for cyanotoxins (toxins that HABs sometimes create) at their regular sample points. The map currently shows data for their first sample on June 17 and new data should be added soon. For the first sampling event, no toxins were detected.

The blue dots represent HAB reports filed by residents or other observers at the lake. One was filed on May 20 up the Blackwater by a resident who observed bright blue water, which turned out to be improper application of an unknown algaecide. The second dot on Poplar Camp Creek (Blackwater) was reported July 1, which was responded to by DEQ and because the visual indicators of a HAB were gone they did not sample. The third dot, located in Little Blue Run filed July 14. You can click on each dot to see the original report, and photos.

Please note that these dots DO NOT mean there are VDH swimming advisories in place. These dots are provided so that you take care to observe water conditions for scums, odors, or a spilled paint appearance before swimming in these areas. The dots will remain until the end of the recreational swimming season, according to VDH. If DEQ samples these areas, results will be posted in the report found when you click on the dot.

Visit the VDH Harmful Algal Bloom Dashboard to keep up to date with reports and any sampling. Resources for understanding how to identify potential HABs and how to report them are on the SMLA website.