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May 16-May 22 – There were 44 reported site visits in the past seven days with 44 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 11 of the sites.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 5/21 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows low to moderate bloom potential primarily from Fisheating Creek north to the city of Okeechobee and along the western and southern shorelines.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 5/21 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential on visible portions of the estuary.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 5/21 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential on visible portions of the estuary.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 5/21 shows low to high bloom potential throughout Lake George and on the mainstem of the St. Johns River downstream to Palmo Cove. Moderate bloom potential is visible in the western portion of 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 5/19-5/21, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected 15 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Okeechobee — S308C (lakeside): Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

C44 canal — S308C (canal side): Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum circinale co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lorraine Lake — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level [0.38 part per billion (ppb)] of cylindrospermopsin detected.

Eagle Lake — Park: Microcystis aeruginosa and Botryococcus braunii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

East Lake — South Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Ward Lake — Jiggs Landing: Dolichospermum circinale; no cyanotoxins detected.

Dunn’s Creek — Highway 17 Bridge: Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii co-dominant; trace level (0.27 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin detected.

Georges Lake — Center: Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum sp. co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Georges Lake — Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum sp. co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Bimini Basin Canal — off Four Freedoms Park: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Grady — at Shadow Run Dam: Microcystis wesenbergii and Dolichospermum circinale co-dominant; trace level (0.52 ppb) of microcystins detected.

Lake Sampson — Rowell and Sampson Canal: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Weir — North: Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Botryococcus braunii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Marian — Pavilion: Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii co-dominant; an estimated 1.6 ppb of microcystins detected.

Lake Kissimmee — Joe Overstreet Road Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Coelosphaerium sp. co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

On 5/20-5/21, South Florida Water Management District staff collected 26 routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Okeechobee — KISSR0.0: Planktolyngbya limnetica; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — LZ2: Planktolyngbya limnetica; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — NES191: Dolichospermum circinale; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee— L001: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — NES135: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — NCENTER: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — EASTSHORE: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — L004: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — L008: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — L005: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — POLESOUT3: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — POLESOUT2: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — POLESOUT1: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — POLESOUT: Planktolyngbya limnetica; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — KBARSE: Planktolyngbya limnetica; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — CLV10A: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — LZ40: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — L006: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — PALMOUT3: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — PALMOUT2: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — PALMOUT1: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — PALMOUT: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — LZ30: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — POLE3S: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — L007: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Okeechobee — LZ25A: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

On 5/19, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected one routine HAB monitoring sample and one HAB response sample. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Washington — Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Yale — Center: Microcystis aeruginosa and Botryococcus braunii co-dominant; trace level (0.12 ppb) of microcystins detected.

On 5/20, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff collected one HAB response sample at Old Tampa Bay — Rocky Shores Drive Canal.

There was no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.

Last Week

On 5/15, DEP staff collected four HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Peace River — Gardener: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Peace River — Wauchula: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Van — end of Lake Van Road: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis flos-aquae co-dominant; trace level (0.85 ppb) of microcystins and 0.72 ppb of cylindrospermopsin detected.

Zolfo Springs: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

On 5/15, SJRWMD staff collected three routine HAB monitoring samples and one HAB response sample. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake George — Center: Microcystis sp. and Raphidiopsis raciborskii co-dominant; trace level (0.34 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin detected.

Blue Cypress Lake — Center: Microcystis sp. and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; trace level (0.86 ppb) of microcystins detected.

Stick Marsh — North: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

St Johns River — Mouth of Rice Creek: Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Dolichospermum sp. co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Results for completed analyses are available 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 algal bloom-impacted water or with algal bloom material or fish on the shoreline.

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Last Modified: Friday, May 23, 2025 - 03:51pm