June 24 - 30, 2022 – There were 38 reported site visits in the past seven days, with 38 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 24 sites.
The satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 6/23 shows approximately 45% coverage of moderate to high bloom potential, with the highest bloom potential predominantly along the western and southern shore of the lake. The satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries from 6/23 shows no significant bloom potential in visible portions of either estuary.
The satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 6/23 shows areas of moderate bloom potential on Lake George and on the mainstem of the St. Johns River downstream of Lake George to Welaka and in Doctors Lake. Please keep in mind that bloom potential is subject to change due to rapidly changing environmental conditions or satellite inconsistencies (i.e., wind, rain, temperature or stage).
On 6/27 – 6/29, South Florida Water Management District staff collected samples from the C43 Canal - S77 (upstream); C43 Canal - S79 (upstream); Lake Okeechobee - S308C (lakeside); C44 Canal - S308C (canal side); Lake Okeechobee - S352 (lakeside); and Lake Okeechobee - CULV10A.
The C43 Canal - S77 (upstream) sample was dominated by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and had a trace level (0.11 parts per billion [ppb]) of cylindrospermopsin detected. The C43 Canal - S79 (upstream) sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.51 ppb) of microcystins detected.
The Lake Okeechobee - S308C (lakeside) sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had trace levels detected for microcystins (0.59 ppb) and cylindrospermopsin (0.13 ppb). The C44 Canal – S308C (canal side) had no dominant taxon and a trace level (0.13 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin detected.
The Lake Okeechobee - S352 (lakeside) sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had 180 ppb microcystins detected. The Lake Okeechobee – CULV10A sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had a trace level (0.67 ppb) of microcystins detected.
On, 6/27 - 6/30, St. Johns River Water Management District staff performed a combination of routine harmful algal bloom monitoring and bloom response sampling at 14 locations. On Crescent Lake (three locations), the Center and Crescent City Public Boat Ramp samples were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa, and the mouth of Dunns Creek sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Trace levels of microcystins (range 0.73 to 1.2 ppb) and trace levels of cylindrospermopsin (range 0.14 to 0.23 ppb) were detected in all three samples.
On Lake George (two locations), the Center and North samples were both co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and had trace levels of cylindrospermopsin detected (0.31 ppb and 0.25 ppb, respectively).
For the following eight samples, the dominant taxon result and cyanotoxin result are included in parentheses following each station name: Stickmarsh (no dominant, trace level [0.11 ppb] cylindrospermopsin); Doctors Lake (Microcystis aeruginosa, 1.2 ppb microcystins); Georges Lake (Microcystis aeruginosa, 3.5 ppb microcystins); Bull Creek - at Fish Camp (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, trace level [0.49 ppb] microcystins); St. Johns River – Mandarin Point (no dominant, trace level [0.28 ppb] microcystins); St. Johns River – Shands Bridge (Microcystis sp., microcystins not detected); St. Johns River – north of Buffalo Bluff Bridge (Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, trace level [0.29 ppb] cylindrospermopsin); and Blue Cypress Lake (no dominant, microcystins not detected).
Analytical results for Lake Washington are pending.
On 6/27, Lee County staff collected samples along the Caloosahatchee River (three locations). The Davis Boat Ramp sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Glenodinium sp., whereas the Alva Boat Ramp and North Shore Park samples had no dominant taxon. All three samples had no cyanotoxins detected.
On 6/27 - 6/30, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected samples at 14 locations.
The Caloosahatchee River - Moody Canal at Del Prado Blvd. sample had no dominant taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.
The Lake Marion, Lake Sue and Lake Ivanhoe samples were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa, and the Lake Mann sample was dominated by Microcystis wesenbergii. The Lake Marion sample had 5.6 ppb microcystins detected; the Lake Sue sample had trace levels of both microcystins (0.27 ppb) and cylindrospermopsin (0.35 ppb) detected; and the Lake Ivanhoe and Lake Mann samples had trace levels of cylindrospermopsin detected (0.13 ppb and 0.38 ppb, respectively).
Samples were collected from Lochloosa Lake (three locations), two of which were co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii and the other dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa. All three locations had microcystins detected (range 1.9 to 2.1ppb).
On Lake Munson (two locations), the North Lobe sample was co-dominated by Scytonema crispum and Nostoc sp. and had a trace level (0.33 ppb) of microcystins detected. The Slough Inlet sample was dominated by Oedogonium sp. and had no cyanotoxins detected.
Analytical results are pending for Tampa Bay - Maximo Park; Lake Griffin; Hillsborough River – at I-75; and Lake Harris.
On 6/30, Highlands County sampled Little Red Water Lake - Boat Ramp. Analytical results are pending.
Last Week
Samples collected by DEP on 6/23 at the Caloosahatchee River and Manatee River (two locations) had no dominant taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.
DEP also collected samples on 6/23 from Doctors Lake (three locations) that were dominated by Dolichospermum circinale. A trace level (0.71ppb), 1.3 ppb and 1.4 ppb of microcystins were detected in the samples at Camp Echockotee, near Lucy Branch and end of Lawrence Rd., respectively).
Results for completed analyses are available and posted at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
This is a high-level summary of the sampling events for the reported week. For all field visit and analytical result details, please refer to the complete algal bloom map with data table by clicking the “Field and Lab Details” Quick Link from the Algal Bloom Dashboard. Different types of blue-green algal bloom species can look different and have different impacts. However, regardless of species, many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins that can make you or your pets sick if swallowed or possibly cause skin and/or eye irritation due to contact. We advise staying out of water where algae is visibly present as specks or mats or where water is discolored pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red. Additionally, pets or livestock should not come into contact with the algal bloom-impacted water, or the algal bloom material or fish on the shoreline.
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