Cladophora Along the Great Lakes Shorelines
Cladophora is a type of stringy (filamentous) algae that grows on rocks, wood, logs, and other hard underwater surfaces in freshwater ecosystems, including the Great Lakes basin.
If you are on the lookout for this type of stringy algae along New York's Great Lakes beaches and shorelines, DEC wants to know. Use this online observation form (web browser: https://arcg.is/0r4Cue) to report observations of accumulating Cladophora, or the absence of Cladophora along the New York shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the Niagara and Saint Lawrence Rivers. Alternatively, you can print this form (PDF) to make your report and mail the form to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation c/o Great Lakes Program, 700 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14209, or scan a copy and email to [email protected].
We currently have limited understanding of exactly where and when excessive amounts of Cladophora are accumulating along New York's Great Lakes shorelines after detaching from underwater surfaces where it grows. Information collected through public observations will compliment ongoing monitoring and modeling efforts that will better inform agencies and researchers about the location, timing, and extent to which Cladophora is accumulating along New York's Great Lakes shorelines.
Learn how to share your shoreline observations by reviewing the Shoreline Survey presentation slides (PDF).
The following categories will help you determine the level of Cladophora:
- No visible growth
- Minimal
- Moderate
- Extensive
- Not Cladophora
Cladophora and Water Quality
New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda Goal #2 recognizes that water quality in some nearshore areas of Lakes Erie and Ontario remain a concern, in part due to seasonal widespread occurrences of nuisance algae (e.g., Cladophora). While Cladophora serves beneficial ecological purposes in natural amounts, excessive growth can occur under certain conditions and result in undesirable or nuisance conditions. When a large amount of Cladophora detaches from the lake bottom, it can wash up along the shoreline and begin to decompose, potentially leading to unpleasant odors, an environment suitable for the growth of bacteria, and an unfavorable recreational experience.
Cladophora growth and distribution in the nearshore waters of the Great Lakes is being assessed by U.S. and Canadian agencies and researchers under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This includes the role that nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and invasive Dreissenid (zebra and quagga) mussels play in promoting the growth of Cladophora.
Identifying Cladophora Accumulations
The images shown here are typical of conditions that may be observed along the Great Lakes shoreline.
Relative amounts of Cladophora to be used as guidance when completing the observation form:
No visible Growth
Minimal Growth
Moderate Growth
Extensive Growth
Other Types of Algae and Aquatic Vegetation
The images here show various types of algae and aquatic vegetation that may be observed along the Great Lakes shoreline but are not Cladophora.
