Toxic algae: Water advisory lifted at Timer Powers Park, not Port Mayaca
Max Chesnes
MARTIN COUNTY — A June 4 water advisory for the C-44 Canal at Timer Powers Park in Indiantown was lifted Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, did not contain the toxin microcystin, but "a caution remains in place for that area due to the continued presence of algae," according to a Florida Department of Health news release issued Friday.
An April 16 water advisory remains for the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam, where trace amounts of toxic algae were detected on the east side Monday, but no bloom was visible, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The water contained 0.25 parts per billion of the toxin microcystin. At 8 parts per billion, the toxin makes water too hazardous to touch, ingest or inhale for people, pets and wildlife, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
BMAA, another toxin found in algae, can trigger neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's at high concentrations. Dogs in Stuart have even died after tests showed toxins in their urine and liver.
There were no toxins or algae blooms on the west side of the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam Monday, according to DEP data.
DOH advises Florida residents and visitors to take the following precautions:
- Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom of blue-green algae.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
- Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
- Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins.
- Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
- Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
Where is Port Mayaca?
Port Mayaca is where the water from Lake Okeechobee enters the C-44 Canal, also known as the St. Lucie Canal. The 23-mile-long canal connects Lake O to the St. Lucie River.
People fish from the shoreline around the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam for bluegill, bass, speckled perch and more — often for dinner, not catch-and-release.
A type of algae called microcystis aeruginosa has been visible there since early April. Martin County posted signs warning people to avoid contact with the water.
How to report an algae bloom, fish kill, sick pets and people
- DEP collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To see their water sample results, go to floridadep.gov.
- Report a bloom online at floridadep.gov or by calling the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.
- To report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin, call the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222 to speak to a specialist immediately.
- Contact your veterinarian if you think your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with water contaminated with toxic algae.
- To report a fish kill, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.
- If you have any other health questions or concerns about toxic algae blooms, call the Florida Department of Health office in Martin County at 772-221-4000.
For more news, follow Max Chesnes on Twitter.
Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter focusing on issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224.