Glenn Coin is reporting for NYup [dot] com that approximately 60 algae blooms have been reported statewide in the past two weeks, from Long Island to Western New York, and in water bodies ranging from small park ponds to a bay off Lake Ontario. There are no reports of any blooms in Columbia or Greene counties, but some small, localized blooms were identified in Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer and Ulster counties. Algae blooms are a form of bacteria called cyanobacteria, and they secrete toxins that, in large quantities, can sicken humans and kill dogs. The blooms tend to peak in late August and September, especially when the weather is hot, sunny and calm. Last year, more than 100 water bodies had toxic blooms for some part of the summer or fall. Read the full story at NYup [dot] com.