Toxic algae warning issued by Army Corps; Will reduce Lake O discharges to St. Lucie
Max ChesnesLake Okeechobee releases to the St. Lucie River will be reduced Saturday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday, just 30 minutes after issuing a notice that the public could encounter blue-green algae in the Okeechobee Waterway.
"Visitors should be aware that water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick, and they should stay away from these areas," the Corps announced in a news release Friday, citing advice from the Florida Department of Health.
A water sampling taken at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam Monday detected some microsystin, according to results posted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Algal Bloom Sampling Status dashboard.
There was "visible particulate matter" on top of the water, the entry notes.
A health advisory was issued near the vicinity of the St. Lucie Lock and Phipps Park Friday afternoon, the Health Department office in Martin County announced.
Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, was detected in FDEP water samples near the St. Lucie Lock with a "low microsystin toxin level," according to health officials.
The Department recommends "residents and visitors avoid contact with algae," according to an announcement.
More:Lake Okeechobee receding, but not enough. Discharges continue to St. Lucie, Caloosahatchee
"This algae may be blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants," the Corps' announcement said.
The warning came as the federal agency is releasing a weekly average rate of 323 million gallons per day into the St. Lucie River, according to the Corps. The latest round of Lake Okeechobee discharges began March 6.
That rate will be reduced Saturday to a weekly average rate of 193 million gallons per day to the St. Lucie River, according to the Corps. The release rate to the Caloosahatchee River will be reduced to an average rate of 775 million gallons per day.
"People who are very sensitive to smells may have respiratory irritation. If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water," the announcement reads. "See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick."
Algae blooms are most likely during the warmer, wetter summer months.
"We just want to make sure that we report it so that folks know that things are starting to warm up and that they need to be aware of that," Corps spokesperson Erica Skolte told TCPalm Friday.
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Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter covering 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.