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Feb. 14–Feb. 20, 2025  – There were 10 reported site visits in the past seven days with 10 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at eight of the sites.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 2/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows widely scattered low to moderate bloom potential, primarily in nearshores of the lake.

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 2/16 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential in visible portions of the estuary. 

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 2/15 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential in visible portions of the St. Lucie River. 

The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 2/14 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows sparse low to moderate bloom potential on visible portions of Lake George and the mainstem of the St. Johns River downstream to 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 2/17-2/19, 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.

Blanton Lake — South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins were detected.

Bass Lake — East Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa and Staurastrum sp. were co-dominant; no cyanotoxins were detected.

Lake Conway — Nela Avenue: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins were detected.

Lake Killarney — Killarney Drive: Microcystis aeruginosa; an estimated 1.2 parts per billion (ppb) of microcystins and a trace level (0.16 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin were detected.

Lorraine Lake — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; a trace level (0.37 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin was detected.

Lake Highland — Southeast Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa and Woronichinia naegeliana were co-dominant; trace level (0.37 ppb) of microcystins was detected.

Lake Weir — Hampton Beach: Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Botryococcus braunii were co-dominant; no cyanotoxins were detected.

Lake Weir — Hope Boat Ramp: Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Botryococcus braunii were co-dominant; no cyanotoxins were detected.

On 2/18, St. Johns River Water Management District staff one routine HAB monitoring sample. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

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

On 2/18, Highlands County staff collected one HAB response sample at Lake Placid — Boat Ramp. Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii were co-dominant; a trace level (0.45 ppb) of microcystins was detected.

Last Week

On 2/13, DEP staff collected four HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Seminole — Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii; no cyanotoxins were detected.

Lake Pineloch — North Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; a trace level (0.13 ppb) of microcystins was detected.

Lake Jessamine — Bywater Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa; a trace level (0.13 ppb) of microcystins was detected.

Lake Arnold — North Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins were 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, Feb 21, 2025 - 04:31pm