Blue-Green Algae Photos

Through systematic long term observations of Harbor Isle Lake, via concerned residents' reports from their backyards and public walkways throughout the neighborhood, multiple instances of the toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) concentrations have been visually documented. 

This photo documentation here is a minimum estimate of the frequency and locations of these toxic bloom concentrations and odors. Below are some of the collected and submitted photos. These images illustrate the varying visual characteristics of this cyanobacteria and how wind fetch can affect location and build-up scums. These build-ups can remain in an area for multiple days, e.g. 4 days or more--  cattails further trap and prolong these mats for weeks.

Since July 2018 to May 2024:  67 out of 70 months, there has been at least one documented daily instance of visual blue-green algae in the lake, in various amounts, and life cycle stages.  Currently, that is 95.7% of the months, where toxic blue-green algae exists in Harbor Isle Lake in large enough quantities to cause visible build-ups. Larger size quantities and longer duration BGA presence increases the risk of toxin exposure in air and water, and overall negative health effects risk.