April 19 – April 25, 2024 – There were 26 reported site visits in the past seven days with 26 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 13 of the sites.
The satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 4/25 shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 50% of the lake, mostly along the shorelines and in the northern half of the lake.
The satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 4/25 shows scattered low bloom potential in the upper estuary.
The satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 4/25 shows no visible bloom potential.
The satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 4/24 shows scattered low bloom potential from Lake George downstream to the city of Jacksonville.
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 4/22 - 4/25, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected eight harmful algal bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Minnehaha - East Dock: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Pearl - Park Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Tarpon - Anderson Park: Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Caloosahatchee River - North Canal Circle: No dominant algal taxon; trace level [0.34 parts per billion (ppb)] microcystins detected.
Lake Buckeye - Ramp: Microcystis sp. and Dolichospermum circinale co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Arnold - North Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii co-dominant; trace level (0.16 ppb) microcystins and trace level (0.38 ppb) anatoxin-a detected.
Little Big Econ - Canoe Launch: Dolichospermum circinale; no cyanotoxins detected.
Little Big Econ - Barr Street: Dolichospermum circinale; no cyanotoxins detected.
Little Big Econ – Jay Blanchard Park: results pending.
On 4/23 – 4/24, South Florida Water Management District staff collected three HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
C51 Canal - S155A (upstream): Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.10 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
C44 Canal - S308C: Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum circinale co-dominant; 3.6 ppb microcystins detected.
Lake Okeechobee - Pahokee Marina: Microcystis aeruginosa; an estimated 1.1 ppb microcystins detected.
On 4/22 – 4/25, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected two HAB response samples and 10 routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
St. Johns River - Mandarin Point: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Doctors Lake - Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Johns River - Shands Bridge: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Fellsmere Water Management Area - Center: Woronichinia naegeliana; trace level (0.53 ppb) microcystins detected.
Stick Marsh - North: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Blue Cypress Lake - Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Jesup - Center: Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Planktolyngbya limnetica co-dominant; trace level (0.21 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
Lake George - Center: No dominant algal taxon; cyanotoxin results pending.
Lake Monroe - Center: Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii; no cyanotoxins detected.
Crescent Lake - Mouth of Dunns Creek: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Little Econ River - Riverside Park: Dolichospermum circinale; no cyanotoxins detected.
Harris Bayou – Center: results pending.
On 4/23, Highlands County staff collected two HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Placid - Boat Ramp: Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Glenada - Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; trace level (0.47 ppb) microcystins detected.
Last Week
On 4/18, DEP staff collected three HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Blanton Lake - South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; 0.67 ppb microcystins detected.
Dowling Lake – Off Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum planctonicum co-dominant; an estimated 2.5 ppb microcystins detected.
Weeki Wachee River – Richard Drive: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
On 4/17, SJRWMD staff collected one HAB response sample at Lake Washington – Center: 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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