September 11 – September 17 - There were 11 reports of visits in the past seven days (9/11 – 9/17), with 11 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by the samplers at eight sites.
Satellite imagery from 9/17 for Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries showed approximately 10% coverage of low to medium algal bloom potential on the lake. No bloom potential was observed on the visible portions of either estuaries.
Satellite imagery from 9/17 for the St. Johns River was partially obscured by cloud cover but did not show any bloom potential on the visible portions of Lake George or the main stem of the St. Johns River. 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 9/14, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected a sample from Indian River Canal – Aruba Court. The sample was dominated by a mixed assemblage of nanoplankton and picoplankton. No cyanotoxins were detected in the sample.
On 9/14, city of Cape Coral staff collected samples at Makai Canal – SW 11th Ave; Highlander Canal – SW 19th Lane; Boris Canal – SW 22nd Terrace; and Shaughnessey Canal – Chiquita Boulevard. The Makai Canal – SW 11th Ave and Highlander Canal – SW 19th Lane samples were co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii. The Boris Canal – SW 22nd Terrace sample was dominated by Microcystis wesenbergii, and the Shaughnessey Canal – Chiquita Boulevard sample had no dominant algal taxon. Only the Makai Canal – SW 11th Ave sample had any detectable cyanotoxin, with trace levels (0.78 ppb) of total microcystins.
On 9/15, DEP staff collected a sample from Harbor Isle Lake – Southern Lobe following hydrogen peroxide treatment by the city of St. Petersburg. The sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had 7.2 ppb total microcystins detected. This is a four- to seven-fold reduction from the microcystin values prior to the treatment.
On 9/15, the St. Johns River Water Management District performed sampling at Lake George – Center and Blue Cypress Lake – Middleton Fish Camp. Both samples were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had no cyanotoxins detected.
On 9/16, Orange County staff collected a sample from Lake Conway – West Shore. There was no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins were detected.
On 9/17, DEP staff collected samples from Lake Otis – Boat Ramp and Lake Idyl – Dock. Results are still pending.
This is a high-level summary of the sampling events for the reported week. For all field visit and analytical result details, please refer 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 to stay out of water where algae is visibly present as specks, mats or 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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