On Thursday, the Clearwater crew began collecting Harmful Algal Boom Samples, and earlier that morning, observed a deceased sturgeon and suspected coal tar residue on the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie.
Unprecidented Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) were confirmed on the Hudson River earlier this month, spanning approximately from Kingston to Poughkeepsie. HABs are typically bright green, and can look like soup, green dots, spilled paint, or streaks, and produce toxins making it unsafe to fish, paddle, or wade in areas with visable blooms.
Since the bloom was discovered, Clearwater has been documenting the bloom as we’ve seen it, and last week began taking samples to support researchers in better understanding the causes and origin of the bloom. On Thursday, students from Saugerties High School assisted with sampling, and also discussed the Harmful Algal Blooms with Stuart Findlay Aquatic Ecologist and Clearwater Board Member, and our Director of Advocacy Jen Benson while aboard for a Sailing Classroom Program.
Earlier that morning while docked in Poughkeepsie, the crew observed a deceased shortnose sturgeon and observed a persistent sheen of suspected coal tar on the surface of the river, reporting the deceased sturgeon to NYSDEC Fisheries, and the sheen to Riverkeeper, Hudson 7, and NYSDEC.
This sheen of suspected coal tar is particularly significant, as the City of Poughkeepsie is one of seven Hudson River communities relying on the Hudson River as their drinking source water. The City’s drinking water intakes are the Poughkeepsie waterfront, which is also home to legacy coal tar contamination from a manufactured gas plant that discharged into the Hudson River from 1911 to 1950. The Hudson 7 is closely monitoring the situation, which comes on the tail of a multi-phase cleanup by Central Hudson.
During the months we sail, Clearwater is more then an icon of the Hudson, gathering place, or sailing classroom. Our sloop and crew are ever-present on the river, formally and informally educating the public, and observing and experiencing the ever changing conditions. You can help by keeping eyes on the river. If you see something unusual, speak up – it takes all of us to protect and restore the Hudson.
Reporting to NYSDEC:
- Harmful Algal Bloom Reporting Form
- Report Dead Sturgeon: Submit Marine Life Incident Report
- Report suspected Chemical and Petroleum Spills by calling the NYS Spill Hotline: 1-800-457-7362
Clearwater is a member-supported organization dedicated to protect the Hudson River through education, advocacy, music, and sailing. Great progress has been made toward achieving a swimmable, fishable, drinkable Hudson River over the decades, there is still much work to do to achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act. Help Clearwater keep up our work by making a donation or by becoming a member.
