RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Every year, there are issues involving harmful algae blooms in area lakes, especially Lake Anna.

Recently, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and interns from NASA’s DEVELOP Program were out at Lake Anna, testing algae levels.

They were also looking to understand contributing factors that lead to blooms by using satellite data from across the watershed.

NASA says its DEVELOP Program works to cultivate the next generation of leaders and Earth observation users, working with communities and organizations to address environmental and policy concerns through the practical application of NASA Earth science information.

The program works with various government agencies at the federal, state and local levels as well as nonprofits, for-profits and others on projects centering around the partner’s decision-making needs.

They then assess how Earth observation data can help to inform future decisions and actions.