City of Lynn

September 1, 2026

Harmful Algal Bloom - Turtle Pond at Pine Grove Cemetery 
Waterbody may be unsafe for people and pets. 

Information about Cyanobacteria Bloom:
A cyanobacteria bloom is a rapid overgrowth of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) in water, often triggered by warm, nutrient rich, slow moving conditions, and it can produce dangerous cyanotoxins such as microcystins, anatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, and saxitoxins.

Key factors that promote cyanobacterial blooms include:

• Warm water temperatures
• Slow moving or stagnant water
• High nutrient levels, especially nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff, sewage, or stormwater inputs
• Sunlight availability and weather patterns
  
• Water body characteristics and competing microorganisms

Reporting Sick or Dead Birds:

• If you see 5+ dead or sick wild birds at one spot, or if you find a bald eagle, peregrine falcon, or snowy owl
  • https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds
    • The form asks for your contact info, location, species, number of birds, symptoms, and optional photos
  • Domestic birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc.):
    • Call the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795 or use their poultry disease reporting form https://www.mass.gov/info-details/report-observations-of-dead-wild-birds-confirmation.