New York Mixed Bag: DEC activates summer harmful algal bloom system

Albany — DEC’s New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active and provides simple user- and mobile phone-friendly reporting of HABs. The public is encouraged to report any sightings of suspected blooms through the NYHABS notification system for effective monitoring and communication about where and when HABs are occurring across the state.

Reports are evaluated by DEC and the Department of Health and once confirmed, are posted to the NYHABS page. The system features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed.

When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to:

• Know It – HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.

• Avoid It – People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.

• Report It – The public should report a suspected HAB through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC’s website. Report health concerns related to HABs to DOH at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or contact your local health department.

For more information about HABs, visit DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage.

MORE COVERAGE FROM NEW YORK OUTDOOR NEWS:

Dan Ladd: Get informed on New York’s antlerless deer regulation changes

Efforts aim to keep invasive gobies out of popular Lake Champlain

New York places six bass waters in Bassmaster Magazine’s latest Top 100 ranking

Registration Open For Becoming An Outdoors Woman Fall Work Shop

Hauge, N.Y. — Registration is now open for DEC’s fall Becoming An Outdoors Woman workshop, which will be held Oct. 2-4 at the Silver Bay YMCA on the shores of Lake George, in Hague. Registration began July 21 and runs through Aug. 3. Participation is limited and participants are chosen via a random lottery.

The Fall BOW workshop is open to women ages 18 and older who enroll in four classes during the course of the weekend workshop. Tentative classes this year include Basket-making, Taxidermy, Game cooking, Wilderness Survival, Dutch Oven, Canoeing, Kayaking, Nature Journaling, Knots, Birding, Hunter Ed, Bowhunting Ed, Trapper Ed, Firearms Safety, Archery, Crossbow, Wild Foods in the Adirondacks, Traditional Fire Techniques, Basic Fishing Skills, Fly Fishing, Field Dressing Wild Game, Becoming a Naturalist, Hiking, Plant ID, Birding, Map and Compass, K9 First Aid.

For more information, visit the DEC website, or call 518-402-8966.

Great Camp Santanoni Electric Wheelchair Access Program Expands

Newcomb, N.Y. — DEC and Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) have announced the continuation of its free electric wheelchair program at Great Camp Santanoni for 2026. Feedback from participants and the public from 2024 and 2025 helped DEC expanded program with increased dates, more flexible reservation times, and a simplified reservation system to continue improving access to the Historic Great Camp Santanoni for persons with disabilities.

Camp Santanoni Historic Area is one of the oldest Adirondack great camps. Since 2024, the program allows persons with disabilities to borrow an electric wheelchair for use along the 10-mile round trip carriage road to the Great Camp. In 2025, DEC and AARCH doubled the number of available dates. The 2026 program expands offerings to include many weekdays and a flexible reservation process and is available by reservation to qualified members of the public at no charge through Oct. 1, on many weekdays, each Saturday and Sunday, and holiday Mondays.

To learn more about this program and how to make a reservation, visit Great Camp Santanonin webpage, or email Access.Santanoni@dec.ny.gov.

Registration Is Open For The Adirondack Canoe Classic Sept. 11-13

Old Forge, N.Y. — The Adirondack Canoe Classic – known as the 90-Miler – is scheduled this year for Sept. 11-13. The three-day race is an Adirondack tradition that dates back over 40 years and takes paddlers from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. It follows traditional canoe-travel routes and includes the first 90 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

Online registration will be opened July 1 and there is a maximum of 275 boats. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the race is full, boats can add their names to the waiting list. Paddlers of various boat types and classes are welcome to register.

To register, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org, or email adirondack90miler@northernforestcanoetrail.org.

Record Setting Rower Has N.Y. Roots

Booneville, N.Y. — Kelsey Pfendler, who appears to have broken both the previous women’s speed record as well as the men’s speed record by rowing 2,400 miles from Montere, Cal. to Hawaii, is a New York native. A graduate of Adirondack High School, in Booneville, Pfendler has spent the last eight years guiding on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

The Associated Press report is based on records maintained by Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records. The organization didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press about Pfendler’s finish.

The rowing society’s online records showed that Pfendler finished in just under 44 days, faster than the previous comparable female record holder’s 86 days or the male record holder’s 52 days as recorded by both the society and Guinness World Records.