The New York Harmful Algal Bloom System is now active.
As the 2026 HABs notification season starts, the system will provide the ability to send reports of HABs to the Department of Environmental Conservation electronically via a simple user- and mobile-friendly form.
DEC and the State Department of Health work closely to evaluate HAB reports. Once confirmed, reports are posted to the NYHABS page.
The system features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to inform New Yorkers about potential HABs.
While cyanobacteria occur naturally, certain conditions lead to accumulations that become HABs. Blooms are likely triggered by a combination of factors, including excess nutrients, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and warm temperatures.
Public awareness of HABs, what they look like and their potential impacts is the first step in protecting public health. DEC provides informational resources, such as HAB warning signs, and encourages reporting to NYHABS.
To further advance efforts to reduce and mitigate the impacts of HABs, DEC recently announced the HAB Roadmap.
It provides a comprehensive and strategic guide for DEC, the public and other researchers to further address HABs by establishing six key focus areas.
These focus areas identify objectives to improve the understanding of HAB causes, reduce impacts to health and recreation, and identify specific short- and long-term steps to take.
Additionally, DEC recently released the HAB Research Grant Program to fund research in support of the objectives of the HAB Roadmap and the research focus areas of the HABs Research Guide.
The HABs Research Guide was developed to advance the study, management and mitigation of HABs in New York state and as a resource for DEC staff; other local, state or federal agencies; and research partners to fill knowledge gaps and advance efforts to reduce HABs.
Using applied research findings, DEC has improved its monitoring efforts and developed its holistic approach to HAB management based on Clean Water Planning, long-term nutrient reduction and funding to implement nutrient reduction strategies.
Since 2021, New York awarded over $424 million in grants that support reducing the frequency of HABs by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution and dedicated over $6.7 million to research and development, pilot projects and advanced HABs monitoring.
For more information about HABs, including bloom notifications, visit dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms.
View an interactive map of HABs at experience.arcgis.com/experience/e5dec19912454731a308bbb7af605fb3.