Weekly Update from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7, 2023 – There were four reported site visits in the past seven days with four samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by samplers at four of the sites.
The best available satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee is from 12/6, and it shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 5-10% of the lake, primarily in the nearshore waters on the western half of the lake.
The best available satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee Estuary is from 12/6, and it shows very scattered moderate bloom potential on visible portions of the estuary.
The best available satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary is from 12/6, and it shows no bloom potential on visible portions of the estuary.
Satellite for the St. Johns River from 12/7 shows lightly scattered low bloom potential on Lake George and the mainstem of the St. Johns River down to the Doctors Lake.
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 field visits this past week
On 12/4, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response sample at Tiger Lake – Center. There was no dominant algal taxon and a trace level [0.45 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystins was detected.
On 12/7, Highlands County staff collected three HAB response samples from Lake Placid, Lake June-in-Winter – Boat Ramp and Lake Glenada – Boat Ramp. Results are pending.
Last Week
On 11/30, St. Johns River Water Management District staff collected a routine HAB monitoring sample at Lake Monroe – Center. There was no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected.
Results for completed analyses are available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
Previous week
On 11/20 – 11/29, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected seven Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Drawdy – Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level [0.16 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystins was detected.
Lake Down – S Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Chrise Lake: Microcystis wesenbergii; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Howell – Center: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Taylor – Odessa: Coelasphaerium kuetzingianum; trace level (0.25 ppb) microcystins detected.
Pioneer Lake – NE Shore: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level (0.62 ppb) microcystins detected.
Blanton Lake – South Lobe: Co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii; 8.6 ppb microcystins detected.
On 11/20 – 11/30, St. Johns River Water Management District staff collected six routine HAB monitoring samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Washington – Center: no dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Stick Marsh – North: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Blue Cypress Lake – Center: no dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Yale South of Center: Co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii; trace level (0.30 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
Lake Jesup – Center: Co-dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii; trace level (0.17 ppb) cylindrospermopsin detected.
Lake Monroe – Center: Results pending.
On 11/20, Highlands County staff collected a HAB response sample at Lake Genada – Boat Ramp. The sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had 25 ppb microcystins detected.
Two weeks ago
On 11/13 – 11/15, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff collected five HAB response samples. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake Weir – Eatons Beach: Botryococcus braunii; no cyanotoxins detected.
Gee Creek – Murphy Rd: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Lake Rowena – near NE corner: Microcystis aeruginosa; trace level [0.52 parts per billion (ppb)] of microcystins were detected.
Lake Marian – Boat Ramp: Microcystis aeruginosa; microcystins were estimated to be 3.0 ppb.
Blanton Lake – South Lobe: Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis wesenbergii were co-dominant; 9.0 ppb microcystins detected.
On 11/13 – 11/15, South Florida Water Management District staff collected 10 HAB routine samples. Lake Okeechobee stations S308C (lakeside), KISSR0.0, LZ2, L005, POLESOUT, CLV10A, PALMOUT, LZ30 and RITTAE2 had no dominant algal taxon and no cyanotoxins detected. The C44 Canal – S308C sample had no dominant algal taxon and a trace level (0.26 ppb) of microcystins was detected.
Last Week
On 11/8, DEP staff collected a harmful algal bloom (HAB) response sample at Lake Drawdy – S Shore. The sample was dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystins were estimated to be 2.3 ppb.
On 11/8, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) collected five HAB routine samples and one HAB response sample. Dominant algal taxa and cyanotoxin results follow each waterbody name.
Lake George – Center: Aphanizomenon flosaquae and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii were co-dominant; no cyanotoxins were detected.
Crescent Lake – mouth of Dunns Creek: No dominant algal taxon; no cyanotoxins detected.
Crescent lake – mouth of Haw Creek: Microcystis aeruginosa; no cyanotoxins detected.
Results for completed analyses are available at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom.
Blue-green algae field test results
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 14 years ago.