If you're already participating in cyanoScope, you know how crucial it is to monitor our water bodies for potential threats. But did you know there's another way you can contribute? Introducing bloomWatch, a participatory science app designed to empower you to help track and report potential cyanobacteria blooms in your community's water bodies.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/23a3b9f9d0e3499592431b88facf286e
Why Use bloomWatch?
Have you ever noticed a water body that suddenly resembles pea soup or looks like a blue-green paint spill? These could be signs of a potentially toxic cyanobacteria bloom. Such blooms can produce toxins harmful to people, pets, and ecosystems. While state and local officials can't watch every water body at all times, your observations can make a difference.
By using the bloomWatch app, you can help document the ...more ↓
If you're already participating in cyanoScope, you know how crucial it is to monitor our water bodies for potential threats. But did you know there's another way you can contribute? Introducing bloomWatch, a participatory science app designed to empower you to help track and report potential cyanobacteria blooms in your community's water bodies.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/23a3b9f9d0e3499592431b88facf286e
Why Use bloomWatch?
Have you ever noticed a water body that suddenly resembles pea soup or looks like a blue-green paint spill? These could be signs of a potentially toxic cyanobacteria bloom. Such blooms can produce toxins harmful to people, pets, and ecosystems. While state and local officials can't watch every water body at all times, your observations can make a difference.
By using the bloomWatch app, you can help document the prevalence and location of suspected cyanobacteria blooms. The app notifies participating state and Tribal partners in real-time when an observation is submitted, helping protect public health and the environment.
How Does bloomWatch Work?
Download the App: Available on the App Store, Google Play, or as a web version.
Learn What to Look For: Familiarize yourself with the appearance of cyanobacteria blooms using the app's example pictures.
Report Suspected Blooms: Use the app to report blooms by collecting location data, surface conditions, and bloom size. Follow instructions to take comprehensive photos of the bloom.
Remember, "When in doubt, stay out!" Avoid suspected blooms and keep people and pets from direct contact with the water.
Where Have bloomWatch Reports Been Submitted?
Explore the bloomWatch dashboard to see observations submitted at various scales. This tool, a service of ArcGIS online, allows you to filter and understand when, where, and what types of blooms are occurring.
Observations made through bloomWatch are also displayed in How’s My Waterway, an EPA tool that provides information on the condition of community water bodies. This data is available at community, state, and national levels.
By participating in bloomWatch, you contribute to a larger effort to manage and mitigate the impacts of harmful algal blooms. Your involvement helps government scientists track and manage water quality more effectively.
Download the bloomWatch app today and join us in safeguarding our water bodies. Your involvement plays an important role in addressing harmful algal blooms. Together, we can make a positive impact.
Learn more:
https://www.epa.gov/habs/bloomwatch
Tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E_LDBfsYNM&list=PLi_LkDWQiMxMxGht-fzG5VVJ9U3V32ygt&index=4 less ↑
cyanoScope
