July 2 – July 9 - There were 37 reported site visits in the past eight days (7/2-7/9), with 36 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by the samplers at 17 sites.
Satellite imagery from 7/7 shows bloom potential in Lake Okeechobee on approximately 60% coverage on the north-northeastern portion of the lake, while visible portions of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and estuaries in the 7/6 imagery show no observable bloom activity.
Satellite imagery from 7/6 for the St. Johns River is partially obscured by cloud cover but shows minimal bloom potential in visible portions of Lake George or on the mainstem of the St. Johns River downstream of Lake George. 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 7/6-7/8, South Florida Water Management District staff performed routine monitoring on Lake Okeechobee. They observed algal bloom conditions at 14 of the 28 stations they visited (NES191, NES135, EASTSHORE, L004, L008, POLESOUT2, POLESOUT3, PELBAY3, L006, L007, LZ30, PALMOUT3, LZ40 and CULV10A).
Most of the stations where bloom conditions were observed were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa, while stations without bloom conditions observed were dominated by either Microcystis aeruginosa, Cylindrospermosis raciborskii, co-dominated by Cylindrospermosis raciborskii and Planktolyngbya limnetica, or had no dominant algal taxon. Stations with detectable levels of total microcystin included: LZ2 (trace 0.31 ppb); NES191 (8.8 ppb); NES135 (3.0 ppb); EASTSHORE (7.5 ppb); L004 (17 ppb); L008 (6.0 ppb); POLESOUT3 (4.9 ppb); POLESOUT2 (3.8 ppb); L006 (1.0 ppb); LZ40 (6.2 ppb); and CVL10A (14 ppb).
On 7/6, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected samples in response to bloom complaints at Crescent Lake-Eagle Trail and the St. Johns River- Beechers Point. The Crescent Lake sample was co-dominanted by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii, and had trace levels of total microcystins (0.79 ppb) and cylindrospermopsin (0.31 ppb). The St. Johns River sample had no dominant taxon and no detectable cyanotoxins.
On 7/8, St. Johns River Water Management District staff collected samples from Lake Jesup-Off Grassy Point and Lake Monroe-Center. The Lake Jesup sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had no detectable cyanotoxins. The Lake Monroe sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermosis raciborskii and had no detectable cyanotoxins.
On 7/9, DEP staff collected a sample from the Hillsborough River-Near Lowry Park. Results are pending.
Last week, on 7/1, DEP staff collected samples from Crescent Lake at the Eastside Boat Ramp and Near Haw Creek. DEP staff also collected a sample from the Dead Lake-Boat Ramp, Lake Mann-Boat Ramp and Scott Lake West. These results are now available.
Both Crescent Lake samples and the Dead Lake sample were co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii. The boat ramp sample had a trace level (0.43 ppb) of total microcystin and a trace level (0.25 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin. The Crescent Lake-Near Haw Creek sample had 1.9 ppb total microcystin detected. The Dead Lake sample had 9.8 ppb total microcystin detected.
There was no dominant taxon and no cyanotoxins detected in the Lake Mann sample. Scott Lake West was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had a trace level (0.45 ppb) of total microcystin detected.
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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