State REMOVES Cyanobacteria Advisory for Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough, NH

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) has REMOVED a cyanobacteria advisory for Lake Kanasatka that was issued on 8/12/2020. A bloom (of predominantly Anabaena/Dolichospermum) had been slowly growing in the lake reaching advisory thresholds by mid-August. Cyanobacteria advisories are issued when concentrations exceed 70,000 cells/ml. Several samples were collected on 8/12, and resampled on 8/19, 8/23, 8/24, and 8/26. Most recent samples contained cyanobacteria concentrations ranging between 4,000 and 7,000 cells/ml. While the bloom continues to decrease in concentration, NHDES advises lake-goers to look out for surface accumulations in the future. Please continue to monitor your individual shoreline for changing conditions.

This advisory was not based on a toxin evaluation and was intended as a precautionary measure for short term exposure. Cyanobacteria are natural components of water bodies worldwide, though blooms and surface scums may form when excess nutrients are available to the water. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that are stored within the cells and released upon cell death. Toxins can cause both acute and chronic health effects that range in severity. Acute health effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea. Chronic effects may include liver and central nervous system damage. Be cautious of lake water that has a surface scum, changes colors, or appears to have green streaks or blue-green flecks aggregating along the shore.

The advisory went into effect on August 12, 2020 and was removed on August 26, 2020.