Officials are keeping tabs on a blue green algae bloom which persists on the Allegheny Reservoir.
Doug Helman, Kinzua Dam resource manager, said the U.S. Corps of Engineers is awaiting this week's sample of the bloom. However, as of last week, they found it to be more concentrated into one area: Willow Bay.
That bay sits right on the Pennsylvania side of the waters, below the border with New York State. At this point, Helman said, they believe rain and cold weather will likely take care of the bloom.
"We haven't had any other studies since we had high water coming in," Helman said.
According to Helman, there's always algae in the water. When temperatures are warm and there's not a lot of water flow, the algae start reproducing.
As a result, people can see it on the surface of the water. Following greater inflow and lower temperatures, Helman said, the algae stops reproducing again.
Once people don't see it any longer, algae stops being a threat. That usually happens around this time of year, Helman said, when the water cools off.
While the algae was once throughout the area north of the New York State border, Helman said its size decreased and wind helped transport it to Willow Bay. With greater flow, it will likely dissipate and float away.
Right now, there is very little recreation in the area. Only a few people fish there, Helman said.
Also, Helman said, the algae is not affecting any wildlife Warnings issued applies to people who may go in the water, get algae on their skin and let it remain there for some time.
"That's when illnesses come in," Helman said.
If officials tried to get rid of the algae, it would necessitate the use of a chemical treatment. That would in turn impact the fish, Helman said, so they will instead wait for temperature and water flow to solve the problem naturally.