Jan. 14 - Jan. 20, 2022 – There were eight reported site visits in the past seven days, with seven samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at four of the sites.
The best available satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries is from 1/18 and shows low bloom potential on approximately 15% of the lake and no significant bloom potential on visible portions of either estuary. The best available satellite imagery for the St. Johns River is from 1/20 and shows scattered low bloom potential on Lake George and 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 1/17 – 1/20, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff visited St. Johns River – Beecher’s Point; Harbor Isle Lake; Lake Sampson; Lake Estelle; and Caloosahatchee River – upstream of Cape Coral Bridge. The St. Johns River – Beecher’s Point sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.30 parts per billion [ppb]) of microcystins detected. The Harbor Isle Lake sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had 8.2 ppb microcystins detected. The Lake Sampson sample had no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected. The Lake Estelle sample results are still pending. DEP staff observed benthic algae at Caloosahatchee River – upstream of Cape Coral Bridge but no surface bloom, and no samples were taken. Staff will revisit the site once services are available to identify the filamentous algae and will test for cyanotoxins if potential toxin-producing filamentous cyanobacteria are present.
On 1/18, South Florida Water Management District staff collected a sample from the C43 Canal upstream from the S77 Structure. The sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.32 ppb) of microcystins detected.
On 1/18, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected a sample from Lake Washington. The sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.33 ppb) of microcystins detected.
On 1/19, Highlands County staff collected a sample from Lake Glenada. The sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii. The sample had a trace level (2.7 ppb) of microcystins detected.
Last Week
On 1/13, DEP staff collected samples at Lake Speer and Lake Copeland. The Lake Speer sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had a trace level (0.68 ppb) of microcystins detected. The Lake Copeland sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.29 ppb) of microcystins detected.
On 1/13, Collier County staff collected a sample from Lake Trafford. The sample had no dominant algal taxon and had trace levels (0.60 ppb and 0.10 ppb) of microcystins and cylindrospermopsin detected, respectively.
On 1/12 and 1/13, SJRWMD staff collected samples from Lake George (Center); St. Johns River – Mandarin Point; St. Johns River – Shands Bridge; and Doctors Lake. The Lake George (Center) sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and no cyanotoxins were detected. The St. Johns River – Mandarin Point, St. Johns River – Shands Bridge and Doctors Lake samples had no dominant algal taxon, and only the Doctors Lake sample had detectable levels of cyanotoxins, with a trace level (0.35 ppb) of microcystins detected.
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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