April 26 – May 2, 2024 – There were 21 reported site visits in the past seven days with 21 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at five of the sites.
The satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 5/2 is only slightly obscured by cloud cover and shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 45% of the lake, mostly in the northern half of the lake.
The satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 5/2 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no visible bloom potential.
The satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 5/2 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no visible bloom potential.
The satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 5/2 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential from Lake George downstream to Orange Park.
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 4/29 – 5/2, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected 14 harmful algal bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Breckenridge - South Lobe: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Lucie Canal - Army Corps Campground: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Lucie Canal - 96th Street Bridge: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Marian - Pavilion: Microcystis aeruginosa; 3.8 parts per billion (ppb) microcystins detected.
St. Lucie River - at Palm City Bridge: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lullwater Lake - Northeast Lobe: Dolichospermum circinale and Woronichinia naegeliana co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Crystal River - Canal: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Lucie River - at Four Rivers: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
St. Lucie River - Harborage: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
C-23 Canal - SW Citrus Boulevard: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Blanton Lake - South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Weir - Hampton Beach: Planktolyngbya lacustris and Botryococcus braunii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Apopka Beauclair Canal - near Lake Jem Road: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Desoto Lakes - Lake Shore Drive: Results pending.
On 4/29 – 5/2, South Florida Water Management District staff collected six HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
C43 Canal - S77 (upstream): Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.73 ppb) microcystins detected.
C44 Canal - S308C: Microcystis aeruginosa; 2.4 ppb microcystins detected.
C43 Canal - S78 (upstream): Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.58 ppb) microcystins detected.
C43 Canal - S79 (upstream): Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
C44 Canal - C44S80 (upstream): No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Okeechobee - Pahokee Marina: Results pending.
On 4/29, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected one routine HAB monitoring sample at Lake Washington – Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Last Week
On 4/25, DEP staff collected one HAB response sample at Little Big Econ – Jay Blanchard Park: Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum circinale co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
On 4/25, SJRWMD staff collected one HAB response sample at Harris Bayou – 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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