2022 Jan - March
January 2022: Overall, toxic blue-green algae (BGA) remains in the lake water. More visible bright green surface blooms and shoreline build-ups due to BGA increased cell counts continue to occur frequently. BGA build-ups and scums have noticeable to strong noxious pungent odors. Potentially cloud cover (very foggy weather) has affected growth speed of BGA due to lessened sunlight exposure. Overall, the water clarity remains poor, and consistently turbid with a greenish tint and visible BGA particulate within the water column. The City still has not implemented any improvements to the bottom aeration system running, such as adding additional diffuser heads for increased circulation which would reduce bottom water nutrients that are still fuel to the BGA (confirmed leaching from the sediment-fill as a major nutrient source). There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality) in 2021 whatsoever-- multiple suggestions since 2020 remain purposefully ignored without explanation. Such as the one described above, and the removal of cattails which trap these toxic scums and odors; and their decaying reeds also provide nutrients in the water to fuel these blooms.
January 18, 2022 -- DEP sampled and found detectable Microcystin Toxin Levels; 8.2 ppb at the Southern 'Entrance' Lobe. City made no notifications to the public about this detected (and increased) January 2022 Microcystin toxin levels. [EPA Contact Limit for Microcystin Toxin Levels is 8ppb]
17 of 31 days (55% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
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February 2022: Currently, no changes have been made to the City of St. Petersburg's strategy to remediate Harbor Isle Lake and reduce/eliminate toxic BGA blooms. Methods described above in Jan 2022 are again ignored and remain unaddressed.
February 10, 2022 -- The City Lake Contractor (Solitude Lake Management) sprayed, from a single boat, on the surface of the lake, a 6th application, of an unknown volume of "GreenClean 5.0" peroxide treatment. After this 6th treatment, the lake water does not appear the same as after the first treatment results in March 2020, where maximum clarity and elimination of detectable Microcystin toxin were achieved for a short time period. Currently, after the 6th treatment, toxic blue-green algae (BGA) is still present in large visible quantities. Therefore, algal toxins and their health risks to humans are still present and the long-term exposures of the Microcystin and BMAA in the air/water are compounding.
February 14, 2022 -- DEP sampled and found again detectable Microcystin Toxin Levels; at all 3 sample locations. The Southern 'Entrance' Lobe, Southeast Lobe, and Northwest Lobe, measured Microcystin Toxin were as follows: 23 ppb and 11 ppb and 9 ppb. These levels have increased from Jan 2022 singular sample at Southern 'Entrance' Lobe. The City has made no notification to the public about these detectable and increased Microcystin toxin levels. [EPA Contact Limit for Microcystin Toxin Levels is 8ppb]
18 of 28 days (64% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
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March 2022: Toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) remains within the water column and surface build-ups (noticeable blooms) of higher density cyanobacterial cell counts are still occurring. Currently, no changes have been made to the City of St. Petersburg's strategy to remediate Harbor Isle Lake and reduce/eliminate toxic BGA blooms. Methods described above in Jan 2022 are again ignored and remain unaddressed.
March 10, 2022 -- The City Lake Contractor (Solitude Lake Management) sprayed, from a single boat, on the surface of the lake, a 7th application, of an unknown volume of "GreenClean 5.0" peroxide treatment. After this 7th treatment, the lake water does not appear the same as after the first treatment results in March 2020, where maximum clarity and elimination of detectable Microcystin toxin were achieved for a short time period. Currently, after the 7th treatment, toxic blue-green algae (BGA) is still present in large visible quantities. Therefore, algal toxins and their health risks to humans are still present and the long-term exposures of the Microcystin and BMAA in the air/water are compounding. Overall, the water clarity remains poor, and consistently turbid with a greenish tint and visible BGA particulate within the water column all the time. Surface BGA scums and strong odors continue to be present.
March 21, 2022 -- DEP sampled and found again detectable Microcystin Toxin Levels. The Northwest Lobe, Southern 'Entrance' Lobe, and now Northeast Lobe, were sampled and the measured Microcystin Toxin were as follows: 12 ppb and 6.7 ppb and 6.5 ppb. The City has made no notification to the public about these detectable Microcystin toxin levels. [EPA Contact Limit for Microcystin Toxin Levels is 8ppb]
24 of 31 days (77% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
To view photos, scroll through this page or click the anchor links, below, to jump to that month's section:
January 2022
Jan 3 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA particulate in water column,
no BGA surface scums.
(choppy water due to wind)
Jan 4 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, increased cell counts in water column make water greener, faint streaking of BGA particulate on water surface
Jan 4 2022
Northwest Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped into cattails, red circled area
Noticeable noxious odor
Jan 4 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae, yellow circle denotes faint streaking of BGA on surface, BGA build-up pushed by wind and stays trapped in nearby cattails
Jan 5 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking on surface near shoreline
Jan 5 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae pushed to shore and building up due to wind, stayed submerged below water surface
Jan 6 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up surface scum at shore, BGA in water column creates turbid green-brown water
Jan 7 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae pushed to shore and building up due to wind, stayed submerged below water surface;
turbid, BGA in water column
Jan 7 2022
Southeast Lobe
Large Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 9 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up surface scum at shore, BGA in water column creates green-brown turbid water
Jan 9 2022
Northwest Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattails, red circled areas
Noxious odors detected from these BGA scums and similar all month
Jan 10 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 10 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of build-up out from shore, BGA is submerged below surface
Jan 11 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae particulate in water column, this is an example of what is in water when surface blooms aren't majorly present; yellow arrows highlight larger visible dots/clumps of BGA at water surface; overall turbid water due to BGA
Jan 12 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 13 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of build-up out from shore, BGA is submerged below surface
Jan 13 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 18 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking on surface of water and BGA particulate in water column, visible dots/clumps of BGA at water surface.
Jan 18 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattails, red circled area;
Noxious odors detected from these scums and similar all month
Jan 19 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 19 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae particulate in water column, example of what is in water when surface blooms aren't present; yellow arrows highlight larger visible dots/clumps of BGA at water surface; overall turbid water due to BGA
Jan 19 2022
Southeast Lobe - Closeup of Photo
Note the specs on the water surface; Larger circles of bright green are larger clumps of BGA specs (more cells) on the water's surface. BGA floats to surface for sunlight, but exists within the entire visible water column
Jan 24 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, faint grayish streaks are likely dying BGA; yellow arrows highlight bright green specs of BGA in and at water's surface
Jan 24 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, yellow arrows highlight bright green specs of BGA in and at water's surface; Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattail islands, red circled areas
Jan 26 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of build-up out from shore, BGA is submerged below surface
Jan 26 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae, build-up pushed by wind and stays trapped in nearby cattails
Jan 27 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of build-up out from shore, BGA is submerged below surface
Jan 27 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae, build-up pushed by wind and stays trapped in nearby cattails
Jan 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore; Blue-green algae thicker scum areas and likely higher toxin levels, marked by red arrows
Jan 28 2022
Southeast Lobe - 8:38 AM
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Jan 28 2022
Southeast Lobe - 8:54 AM
Shows blue-green algae condensed, pushed to shore by wind
Jan 28 2022
Southeast Lobe - 11:45 AM
Shows blue-green algae density building up further, after ~3 hours, as the wind direction funnels more BGA to the area and shoreline; Increased BGA cell counts, increase overall toxin level risks; yellow line denotes expanse of current BGA build-up
Jan 30 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking on surface of water and BGA particulate in water column, visible dots/clumps of BGA at water surface; greenish turbid water
Jan 30 2022
Southeast Lobe - 8:48 AM
Blue-Green algae build-up
Jan 30 2022
Southeast Lobe - 11:26 AM
Blue-Green algae, still present on surface, but notice how wind can shift and push BGA around lake surface, changing apperance over time;
BGA still remains trapped in cattails
February 2022
Feb 1 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Feb 3 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattails, red circled areas
Noxious odors detected from these BGA scums and similar all month
Feb 6 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Feb 6 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Feb 7 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae pushed to shore and building up due to wind, stayed submerged below water surface;
Feb 7 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Feb 8 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Feb 8 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Feb 9 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Feb 9 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Feb 10 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Peroxide Treatment Performed (6th application)
Solitude Lake Management Boat Trailer seen in photo
Feb 10 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore; red arrow shows thicker area of BGA scum trapped in cattails
Feb 11 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Day 1 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 11 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-Green algae build-up
Day 1 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 12 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae, build-up on surface; red arrows highlight thicker area of BGA scum at shoreline (and higher toxin level / health risk)
Feb 12 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore; red arrows point to thicker higher concentrated BGA scums trapped in cattails
Feb 12 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Day 2 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 12 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattails
Feb 13 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-Green algae, streaking and wind-fed build-up pushed to shoreline
Day 3 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae particulate in water column, red arrows denote wind-fed higher concentrations of BGA cells pushed to shoreline
Day 4 after Peroxide Algaecide
DEP Sample Day
Feb 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae scums trapped in cattails, red circled area
Noxious odors detected from these BGA scums and similar all month
Feb 14 2022
Northwest Lobe
Red circle and arrows shows blue-green algae still trapped in cattails
Feb 15 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, yellow circle denotes faint streaking of BGA on surface, wind-fed higher concentrations of BGA cells pushed to shoreline and remains trapped in floating debris
Feb 16 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line denotes wind-fed stronger concentration of BGA build-up; red arrow shows thicker BGA scum still trapped in weeds & floating debris
Feb 19 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking, and wind-fed higher concentrations of BGA cells pushed to shoreline
Day 9 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 20 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, yellow line estimates distance of surface streaking build-up out from shore; red arrows highlight thicker BGA scums (higher toxin risk) at shore and trapped in weeds
Day 10 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 23 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, red arrows highlight thicker BGA scums (higher toxin risk) still at shore and trapped in weeds and cattail islands
Feb 23 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, BGA cells noted by the fine greenish particulate present and suspended within water column and on surface
Feb 23 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, yellow circle denotes larger BGA specs on surface of water; red arrow shows higher concentrations of BGA cells (scums) that remain trapped in the cattails
Feb 27 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae scums (higher toxin risk) still at shore and trapped in weeds and cattail islands
Feb 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up
Day 18 after Peroxide Algaecide
Feb 28 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
Day 18 after Peroxide Algaecide
March 2022
March 1 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
March 2 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
March 2 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
March 3 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
March 3 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, higher concentrations of BGA cells (scums) remain trapped in the cattails
March 4 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up; streaking on surface with denser BGA scum at shoreline (higher toxin level / health risk); BGA particulate remains in water column
March 6 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, red arrows show higher concentrations of BGA cells (scums) that remain trapped in the weeds and cattail islands at shore;
BGA particulate remains in water column
March 8 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, red arrows show higher concentrations of BGA cells (scums) that remain trapped in the weeds and cattail islands at shore; BGA particulate remains in water column
March 12 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, BGA cells noted by the fine greenish particulate present and suspended within water column and on surface
Day 2 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 13 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, BGA cells noted by the fine greenish particulate present and suspended within water column and on surface
March 13 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, BGA cells noted by the fine greenish particulate present and suspended within water column and on surface
March 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
Day 4 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 14 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Day 4 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 15 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore; red arrows show higher concentrations of BGA cells (scums) by shore
Day 5 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 15 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae, BGA cells noted by the fine greenish particulate present and suspended within water column and on surface
Day 5 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 17 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up;
BGA particulate remains in water column
Day 7 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 17 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, yellow line estimates distance of surface build-up out from shore
Day 7 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 18 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, red arrows highlight BGA scums (higher toxin risk) at shore and trapped in weeds
Day 8 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 18 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up on surface, with streaking, thicker scum trapped in cattail reeds
Day 9 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 19 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae scum trapped in cattail islands
Day 9 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 20 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, subsurface thicker plume of BGA on left, particulate remains in water column giving water the green tint
Day 10 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 20 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae on surface, with streaking, cattail islands trap BGA
March 21 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, in water column and scums (at left, higher toxin risk) trapped in weeds
March 22 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, in water column and scums (at left, higher toxin risk) trapped in weeds
March 23 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, in water column; red arrow highlight BGA scums (higher toxin risk) trapped in cattail island
March 24 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up on surface
Day 14 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 25 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up on surface
Day 15 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 25 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, subsurface thicker plume, BGA particulate remains in water column giving the water a greenish tint
Day 15 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 26 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up on surface in large portion of lake lobe, marbleized texture
March 27 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up on surface
Day 17 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 27 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, in water column; red arrow highlight BGA scums (higher toxin risk) trapped in cattail island
March 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, subsurface thicker plume,in water column; red arrow highlight BGA scums (higher toxin risk) trapped in cattail island
March 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, illustrating subsurface thicker plume continued around rest of the lobe
March 29 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up, thicker (higher toxin risk) pushed closest to shore
Day 19 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 29 2022
1) Southeast Lobe 9:23 AM
Blue-green algae streaking in majority of lobe, no wind
Day 19 after March Peroxide Algaecide
March 29 2022
2) Southeast Lobe 10:40 AM
Blue-green algae gets pushed to shoreline by wind, thicker scum builds at shore's edge
March 29 2022
3) Southeast Lobe 10:58 AM
Blue-green algae build-up largest in this lobe section due to current wind direction
March 29 2022
4) Southeast Lobe 1:54 PM
Blue-green algae surface scum from 11:00 AM shifts west due to wind direction; noticeable BGA odors last for hours and can be detected hundreds of feet away from water
March 29 2022
5) Southeast Lobe 7:22 PM
Blue-green algae faint streaking still present in evening
March 30 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, in water column; red arrow highlight BGA scums (higher toxin risk) trapped in cattail island
March 31 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae, to right of cattail island (bright green specs), while some black Lyngbya mats are turning green (lighter color) from sun exposure