Weekly Update from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Sept. 8 – Sept. 14, 2023 – There were 36 reported site visits in the past seven days with 36 samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at 17 of the sites.
Satellite imagery from 9/14 for Lake Okeechobee shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 20% of the lake, primarily in the northwest quadrant.
Satellite imagery from 9/14 for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries shows no visible bloom potential.
Satellite imagery from 9/14 for the St. Johns River shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 30% of Lake George, extending down the mainstem of the river to Clarks Creek.
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.)
Blue-green algae detail
On 9/11- 9/14, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected 17 harmful algal bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
• Lake Rowena – Near NE Corner: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.22 parts per billion [ppb]) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Lake Yale – Near Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.24 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Ortega River – 0.3 Miles up Morven Canal: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Okeechobee – 1 Mile NW of Pahokee: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Okeechobee – S308C (lakeside): Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
• C44 Canal – S308C (canal side): No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Howell – N Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.15 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Lake Haines – Boat Ramp: Microcystis wesenbergii and Planktolyngbya limnetica; trace levels of microcystins (0.26 ppb) and cylindrospermopsin (0.51 ppb).
• Lake Rochelle – Dock: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Placid: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Lake Weohyakapka – W Boat Ramp: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Tiger Lake – Center: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii; trace level (0.12 ppb) microcystins detected.
Results are pending for Caloosahatchee – Raleigh Canal; Lake George – North; Little Half Moon Lake – South; Lake Worrell – Ridge Rd.; and Georges Lake – Boat Ramp.
On 9/14, South Florida Water Management District staff collected HAB response samples at C44 Canal – Timer Powers Park; Lake Okeechobee -S354; Lake Okeechobee -S352; L8 Canal – CULV10A; and Lake Okeechobee- S271. Results are pending.
On 9/12-9/14, St. Johns River Water Management District staff collected five HAB response and nine HAB routine samples.
• St. Johns River – Shands Bridge: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Doctors Lake – Salt Myrtle Lane: Microcystis wesenbergii; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Doctors Lake – Pace Island Dock: Microcystis wesenbergii; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Doctors Lake – Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• St. Johns River – Mandarin Point: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Stick Marsh – North: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.65 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Lake George – Center: Planktolyngbya limnetica; trace level (0.16 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Lake Yale: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.24 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
• Lateral M Canal – Just North of Blue Cypress Lake: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
• Blue Cypress Lake – Center: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Results are pending for Crescent Lake – Mouth of Dunns Creek (CRESLM); Crescent Lake – Mouth of Haw Creek; Lake Jesup – Center (OW-CTR); and Lake Monroe – Center (LMAC).
Pending Results from Last Week
On 9/7, Highlands County staff collected a HAB response sample at Lake Glenada – Boat Ramp. The co-dominant algal taxa were Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii and a trace level (0.49 ppb) of microcystins was detected.
Results for completed analyses are available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
Results for completed analysis are available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.

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.



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.