Weekly Update from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
March 10 – March 16, 2023 – There were 17 reported site visits in the past seven days with 17 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 10 of the sites.
The most recent usable satellite imagery from 3/16 shows scattered low bloom potential on Lake Okeechobee, primarily along the northern, western and southern shorelines. Satellite imagery from 3/16 for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries shows scattered low bloom and no bloom potential, respectively.
Satellite imagery from 3/16 for the St. Johns River shows scattered low bloom potential on visible portions of Lake George and the mainstem of the 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 3/14-3/16, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected harmful algal bloom (HAB) response samples at 10 locations. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Tiger Lake – Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (4.0 parts per billion [ppb]) microcystins detected.
• Wood Lake – E Shore: No dominant algal taxon; trace level (0.22 ppb) microcystins detected.
• Lake Baldwin – Fleet Peeples Park: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (1.1 ppb) microcystins detected.
• Lake Marian – Boat Ramp: Results pending.
• Lake Sue – Fawsett Ramp: Results pending.
• Deep Lake – N Shore: Results pending.
• Louise Lake – NW Lobe: Results pending.
• Lake Howell – NW Shore: Results pending.
• Lake Mann – McQueen Park: Results pending.
• Sunset Lake – W Shore: Results pending.
On 3/16, South Florida Water Management District staff collected one HAB response sample at L8 M Canal – CWPB2S (upstream). Results are pending.
On 3/14-3/16, St. Johns River Water Management District staff collected five routine HAB monitoring samples. There was no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected at Doctors Lake – Center (DTL); St. Johns River – Mandarin Point (MP72); St. Johns River – Shands Bridge (20030157); and Lake George – Center (LEO). Results are pending for Crescent Lake – mouth of Dunns Creek (CRESLM).
On 3/16, Highlands County staff collected one HAB response sample at Lake Viola – Boat Ramp. Results are pending.
Last Week
On 3/7-3/9, DEP staff collected HAB response samples at 15 locations, six of which had results pending. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name. DEP continues to monitor the persistent algal bloom in Georges Lake. The Putnam County Health Department’s existing Cyanobacteria Health Alert remains in effect.
• Blue Lake – Lagrow Rd: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.58 ppb) microcystins detected.
• Lake Placid – Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii co-dominant; trace level (0.24 ppb) microcystins detected.
• Georges Lake – Boat Ramp Rd: Microcystis aeruginosa; 7.5 ppb microcystins detected.
• Georges Lake – Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; 2.8 ppb microcystins detected.
• Black Creek – at SR-17: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Glenada – Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii co-dominant; trace level (0.61 ppb) microcystins detected.
An interactive version of the above with detailed sampling is available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
Related Stories
- Cape Coral fine-tunes bubble curtains meant to fight blue-green algae, WINK News
- Lake Okeechobee Blue-Green Algae Outbreak Forecasted in Coming Months, Fox 4 Now, Southwest Florida
- Harmful algae found at Blue Cypress Lake; Visitors warned not to touch water, TC Palm, Treasure Coast
- Head scientist at Smithsonian in Fort Pierce explains blue-green algae growing in Blue Cypress Lake, WPTV 5, West Palm Beach
Blue-Green Algae Sampling Maps
Results for completed analysis are available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
For detailed breakdowns of blue-green algae sampling across the state, visit the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Blue-Green Algae statewide dashboard — LIVE map prepared by the Florida Dept of Environmental Protection
More from Florida Rambler: The Florida Red Tide Report
Contributing factors to both red tide and blue-green algae.
Related: Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide Leave Floridians Frustrated, Florida Audubon
Bob Rountree is a beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 12 years ago.