Honeoye Lake, an 1,808-acre lake that is one of the Finger Lakes, is one of the 12 priority lakes impacted by HABs. The lake is used for swimming, fishing and boating. Although it is not a public drinking water source, approximately 300 residences on its shores pump water from the lake for their private water systems, primarily for non-potable use.

The significant sources of phosphorus loading in the lake are:
• Internal loading of legacy phosphorus from in-lake sediments
• Nonpoint source nutrient inputs from the contributing watershed.

The Harmful Algal Blooms have caused closure of the designated swimming beach every year from 2012 to 2019. Although the causes of HABs vary from lake to lake, phosphorus pollution—from sources such as wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, and fertilizer runoff—is a major contributor. Other factors likely contributing to the uptick in HABs include higher temperatures, increased precipitation, and invasive species.