NASA study links algal blooms to warm, low water at Blue Mesa Reservoir

Harmful algal blooms at Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado are connected to warm water conditions and reduced water levels, according to NASA.

Blue Mesa Reservoir is one of Colorado's largest. NASA researchers examined the blooms there using satellite data gathered over the reservoir.

The agency found that elevated water temperatures were tied to the occurrence of harmful algal blooms. Low water levels were also linked to the blooms, NASA reported.

The satellite-based approach allowed researchers to track conditions across the reservoir without direct on-site measurement for every observation. NASA's findings connect two environmental factors, warm temperatures and diminished water volume, to the presence of the harmful algal blooms at the Colorado site.