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Dec. 13-Dec. 19, 2024 – There were 17 reported site visits in the past 7 days with 16 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 12 of the sites.

Satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 12/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential along the western shoreline of the lake.

Satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 12/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential in the upper estuary.

Satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 12/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no visible bloom potential.

Satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 12/19 shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential on Lake George and the mainstem of the St. Johns River down to the Ortega River.

The most up-to-date algal bloom sampling results are always available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom. Due to the holidays, the next Blue-Green Algal Bloom Weekly Update will be Jan. 10, 2025.

On 12/16-12/19, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response samples from 10 locations. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Juniper Lake — Spillway: No sample collected.

Lake Marian — Pavilion: Microcystis aeruginosa; 0.89 parts per billion (ppb) microcystins detected.

Lake Rowena — West Shore:

Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; trace level (0.25 ppb) microcystins detected.

Bass Lake — East Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

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

Lake Butler — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Ola — Northeast Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.17 ppb) microcystins detected.

Lake Olive — South Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Tiger Lake — Center: Microcystis wesenbergii; trace level (0.72 ppb) microcystins detected.

Lake Waunatta — West Shore: Results pending.

On 12/17-12/18, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected three routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

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

Lake Jesup — Center: Results pending.

Lake Monroe — Center: Results pending.

On 12/16, Collier County staff collected one HAB response sample from Lake Avalon. The sample had no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.

On 12/19, Highlands County staff collected two HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Apthorpe — Boat Ramp: Results pending.

Lake Glenada — Boat Ramp: Results pending.

On 12/19, Orange County staff collected one HAB response sample. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Mabel — Center: Results pending.

Last Week

On 12/12, DEP staff collected one HAB response samples from Lake Cannon — Boat Ramp. The sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii, and no cyanotoxins were detected. 

On 12/12, SJRWMD staff collected one routine HAB monitoring sample and two HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name. 

Lake George — Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Johns River — across from Drayton Island: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Johns River — Buzzard Island: No dominant algal taxon; 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, Dec 20, 2024 - 05:09pm