Oct. 8 - Oct. 14, 2021 — There were 31 reported site visits in the past seven days, with 30 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at nine of the sites.
The satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries is from 10/14 and shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 30% of the lake and no bloom potential on visible portions of either estuary. The satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 10/14 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows low to moderate bloom potential on the northwest lobe of Lake George near the outflow to the St. Johns River and on Doctors Lake. 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 10/11 - 10/12, South Florida Water Management District staff collected samples near the S77 structure on the C43 Canal, the S80 structure on the C44 Canal, at the Pahokee Marina Boat Ramp and the S65 structure on the Kissimmee River. None of the samples had a dominant algal taxon. Only the Kissimmee River sample had detectable cyanotoxins, with a trace level [0.47 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystin detected.
On 10/11 – 10/14, DEP staff collected HAB response samples at 14 locations. Samples were collected at the S308 structure on the C44 Canal and on Lake Okeechobee. Neither sample had a dominant algal taxon and only the C44 Canal sample had a trace level (0.29 ppb) microcystin detected.
DEP staff made repeat site visits to several locations along the St. Johns River where microcystin had previously been detected; however, these results are still pending.
On 10/5, St. Johns River Water Management District staff performed routine harmful algal bloom monitoring at 10 locations. All samples were non-detect for cyanotoxins except for the Lake Jesup and Lake Monroe samples which are still pending.
On 10/13, Orange County staff sampled Lake Speer and Lake Anderson. Both the Lake Speer and Lake Anderson sample were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had 6.6 ppb and 0.39 ppb microcystins, respectively.
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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