BLOOMWATCH

CROWDSOURCING TO FIND AND REPORT
POTENTIAL CYANOBACTERIA BLOOMS

WHAT IS THE BLOOMWATCH APP?

Do you notice that a lake suddenly turned the color of pea soup or a blue-green paint spill? Or do you see green clumps, flakes or filaments floating in a lake?

Cyanobacteria bloom

Blooms in fresh waterbodies are commonly due to cyanobacteria, which have the potential to produce toxins that affect humans, pets, and our ecosystems.

State and local officials can’t be watching every lake at all times! By using the bloomWatch app on your smartphone, you will help us understand where and when these organisms may be causing issues.

bloomWatch can be used to monitor cyanobacteria blooms

Install the bloomWatch app on your iOS or Android device

Watch a How-To video to learn how to use bloomWatch app

HOW DOES THE BLOOMWATCH APP WORK?

Download bloomWatch app

1. Download the app

Install bloomWatch app on your smartphone or tablet

Report cyanobacteria blooms

2. Learn what to look for

Get familiar with the appearance of cyanobacteria blooms

Report blooms using bloomWatch app

3. Report what you found

Document blooms with the app

1) use bloomWatch app to take good photos of potential blooms, 2) submit your photos to the project, 3) send info to the relevant state agency

NOTE: Avoid bloom and don’t touch the water
NOTE: Submissions through bloomWatch do not constitute a formal report to authorities
NOTE: Images submitted via bloomWatch will be used only for citizen science purposes and will not be sold or distributed to advertisers or other entities

BLOOMWATCH NEWS & CONTACTS

Learn about the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative

bloomWatch Lead

Hilary Snook
US EPA Region I

Get in touch with the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative