Cyanobacteria (sometimes referred to as blue-green algae) are tiny organisms that can be found in diverse environments ranging from deserts to oceans.

Under the right conditions, cyanobacteria can form “blooms” on the surface. These blooms can be a problem because many cyanobacteria produce toxins dangerous to humans and wildlife. Cyanobacteria and their toxins can be found in water as well as in the air nearby.

Skin irritations, illness, loss of plant and animal life, loss of aesthetic appeal, loss of recreational opportunities, reduction in property values…

Help us better understand cyanobacteria by participating in one of our programs (bloomWatch, cyanoScope and cyanoMonitoring)
Start monitoring for cyanos
If you want even more information, check through our suggested resources for more technical details on cyanobacteria
View technical resources
bloomWatch App
Crowdsourcing to find and report potential cyanobacteria blooms
Engaging the public to report when and where potential cyanobacteria blooms appear.
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cyanoScope
Mapping cyanobacteria one slide at a time
Engaging trained citizen scientists and professional water quality managers to understand where and when cyanobacteria species occur.
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cyanoMonitoring
Monitoring cyanobacteria populations over time
Engaging professionals and trained citizen scientists to track seasonal patterns of cyanobacteria.
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