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Dec. 20-Jan. 9, 2025 – There were 28 reported site visits in the past 21 days with 28 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 12 of the sites.

Satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 1/9 shows sparsely scattered low to moderate bloom potential near the shoreline in the northwest, west and southern shores of the lake.

Satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 1/9 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows sparsely scattered low to moderate bloom throughout the estuary.

Satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 1/9 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential.

Satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 1/9 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential on Lake George and the mainstem of the St. Johns River down to the Arlington River.

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 12/26-1/9, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response samples from 15 locations. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.

Lake Umatilla — Lakeview Street Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; trace level [0.22 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystins detected.

Lake Apopka — Newton Park Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktolyngbya microspira; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Highland — Northwest Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa and Woronichinia naegeliana; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Rowena — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.22 ppb) of microcystins detected.

Lake Howell — Northwest Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii; trace level (0.11 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin detected.

Lake Arnold — North Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.19 ppb) of microcystins detected.

Lorraine Lake — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Ola — Northeast Dock: Microcystis sp. and Botyrococcus braunii co-dominant; trace level (0.11 ppb) of microcystins detected.

St. Lucie Estuary — Manatee Pocket South: Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Blanton Lake — South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.56 ppb) of microcystins detected.

Lake Roberts — South Dock: Results pending.

Lake Cannon: Results pending.

Lake Butler: Results pending.

Lake Hancock — John Hancock Drive Boat Ramp: Results pending.

Hillsborough River — Eugene Holstinger Bridge: Results pending.

On 1/6-1/8, South Florida Water Management District staff collected nine routine HAB monitoring samples on Lake Okeechobee. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each station name.

Lake Okeechobee — S308C (lakeside): No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

KISSR0.0: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

LZ2: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

L005: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

POLESOUT: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

CLV10A: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

PALMOUT: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

LZ30: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

RITTAE2: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

On 12/26-1/7, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected three routine HAB monitoring samples and two HAB response samples.

Stick Marsh — North: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Blue Cypress Lake — Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.

Harris Bayou — Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.

Lake Eustis — Northeast: Microcystis sp. and Botyrococcus braunii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.

Previous Pending Results

On 12/19, DEP staff collected a HAB response sample from Lake Waunatta — West Shore. The sample was co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Botyrococcus braunii and had no cyanotoxins detected.

On 12/18, SJRWMD staff collected two routine HAB monitoring samples from Lake Jesup and Lake Monroe. The Lake Jesup sample was dominated by Raphidiopsis raciborskii and no cyanotoxins were detected. The Lake Monroe sample had no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.

On 12/19, Highlands County staff collected two HAB response samples from Lake Apthorpe and Lake Glenada. Both lake samples were co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii and had 0.94 ppb and an estimated 1.9 ppb of microcystins detected, respectively.

On 12/19, Orange County staff collected one HAB response sample from Lake Mabel — Center. The sample was dominated by Oscillatoria sp. and had 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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Last Modified: Friday, Jan 10, 2025 - 04:15pm