Nov. 15-Nov. 21, 2024 – There were 12 reported site visits in the past seven days with 12 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at eight of the sites.
Satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 11/21 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows widespread scattered low to moderate bloom potential throughout much of the visible portion of the lake.
Satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary from 11/21 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows widespread scattered low to moderate bloom potential in visible portions of the estuary from the I-75 bridge down to Cape Coral, Florida.
The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 11/16 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low bloom potential in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
Satellite imagery for the St. Johns River from 11/21 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 Jacksonville, Florida.
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 11/18-11/20, DEP staff collected seven Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Roberts — South Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level [0.13 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystins detected.
Bass Lake — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; 2.2 ppb of microcystins detected.
Lake Tarpon — Anderson Park Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Rowena — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Cannon — Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; no cyanotoxins detected.
Blanton Lake — South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa; 3.2 ppb of microcystins detected.
Lake Marian — Pavilion: Microcystis aeruginosa; an estimated 2.1 ppb of microcystins detected.
On 11/18-21, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) staff collected four routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Harris Bayou — Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Washington — Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Monroe — Center: Results pending.
Lake Jesup — Center: Results pending.
On 11/18, Collier County staff collected one HAB response sample at Lake Avalon. The sample was dominated by Raphidiopsis raciborskii and had a trace level (0.18 ppb) of cylindrospermopsin detected.
Last week
On 11/14, DEP staff collected three HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Butler — West Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.14 ppb) of microcystins detected.
Lake Olive — South Shore: Ochromonas sp.; no cyanotoxins detected.
Georges Lake — Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.37 ppb) of microcystins detected.
On 11/14, South Florida Water Management District staff collected one routine HAB monitoring sample from Lake Okeechobee — S308C (lakeside). The sample had no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.
On 11/14, SJRWMD staff collected two routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake George — Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected; however, the sample results were qualified due to the sample not being preserved properly.
Crescent Lake — mouth of Dunns Creek: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected; however, the sample results were qualified due to the sample not being preserved properly.
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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