Cyanobacteria Advisory in Lower Basin Expands

On August 19, CRWA River Science Extern Marielena Lima performed water sampling and microscope analysis and found high cyanobacterial concentrations in the lower basin. She notified the Mass Department of Public Health (DPH), which conducted a site inspection to visually confirm the bloom before declaring a public health advisory for the Charles River Lower Basin downstream of Massachusetts Ave Bridge (aka the Harvard Bridge) due to a cyanobacteria harmful algal bloom (cyanoHAB).

On August 28, the Dept. of Public Health expanded the warning area to more areas upstream of the original limit of the bloom on the 21st. The current bloom impacts all points downstream of the Boston University Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences Building (aka "Jenga Tower") to the mouth of the Charles.

Paddlers, rowers, and sailors are warned to stay out of the water in the affected area until further notice. Exposure to cyanobacterial blooms can cause serious health impacts and be fatal to pets.