The Alexia Fall Workshop

Thursday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025

Ph.D. student Zac Triumph and postdoctoral associate Dr. Dominique Derminio deploy a rack of nutrient bottles in Skaneateles Lake on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Skaneateles, N.Y. The experiment examines how various nutrient conditions affect algae growth. (Photo by Jess Van)

Ph.D. student Zac Triumph and postdoctoral associate Dr. Dominique Derminio deploy a rack of nutrient bottles in Skaneateles Lake on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Skaneateles, N.Y. The experiment examines how various nutrient conditions affect algae growth. (Photo by Jess Van)

BENEATH THE SURFACE

By Jess Van

Published

Skaneateles Lake, one of the cleanest in the country, provides unfiltered drinking water to much of the surrounding area. But beneath its clear surface, harmful algal blooms are emerging as a growing threat. SUNY-ESF researcher Dominique Derminio and her colleagues are racing to understand how nutrients and environmental changes are disrupting the delicate ecosystem, while critical community support and collaboration reveals a local commitment to protect the lake and its legacy.

Story Credits

Jess Van

Jess
Van

    Coached by

    Lynn Johnson

    Lynn
    Johnson

      Graham Dickie

      Graham
      Dickie