Updates and enhancements to USEPA’s CyANWeb web application for early detection of harmful algal blooms to protect human health in recreational waters

The Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) is a multi-agency (NASA, USGS, NOAA, and USEPA) project to support the safe public use of U.S. lakes and reservoirs and includes delivery of satellite images of algal blooms via a web-based application developed and hosted by the USEPA. CyANWeb is usable on most internet-connected devices via a web browser and operational on any device operating system platform. CyANWeb uses the JavaScript Angular web framework for cross-platform functionality and mirrors the functionality of the CyAN Android mobile application released in 2019. Cyanobacterial images are derived from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite Ocean and Land Colour Instruments (OLCI). The spatial extent covers the continental U.S. at 300 m resolution and represents the weekly maximum value of cyanobacteria for over 2,370 large lakes and reservoirs. Satellite imagery is updated weekly, with the prior week of data available mid-current week, to provide a near-real time view of emerging blooms at user selected areas of interest. Enhancements include aggregate cyanobacterial response statistics by waterbody, weekly report generation, and user-requested cyanobacteria index (CI, count) data for locations of interest.