2022 July - Sept
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July 2022
July 2022: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA), Microcystis Aeruginosa, grows visually present again in the lake, gaining visual dominance. Its known visual characteristics of bright green specular particulate which forms into a paint like streaks and build ups in the water has been consistently documented (since 2018). Larger shoreline BGA buildups (like at the Southern 'Entrance' Lobe on 7/4) have not been documented or seen at this time of year since July 2018. Its known associated irritating BGA odor has been present. The water clarity overall is poor, and has been turbid with a greenish tint and visible BGA particulate within the water column again for early July. The nutrients already present within the water continue to sustain Microcystis Aeruginosa's dominance and growth.
July 13, 2022 -- DEP sampled and found again detectable Microcystin Toxin Levels in the water column, values increased from June (approx. 12-25 times higher depending on sample location). The Northwest Lobe, Southern 'Entrance' Lobe, and Southeast Lobe, were sampled and the measured Microcystin Toxin were as follows: 9.5 ppb and 8.6 ppb and 10 ppb. All are over the EPA contact limit for 8ppb. The City has made no notification to the public about these Microcystin toxin levels. See DEP Table for details.
There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality) in 2021 to present whatsoever-- multiple suggestions requested since 2020 (and listed on this website) remain purposefully ignored without explanation.
For brevity, when the term "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance. Lyngbya is "Lyngbya Wollei".
21 of 31 days (67.7% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
July 1 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Green turbid water; some green Lyngbya and Ruppia floating mats; (front) invasive alligator weed growing into water from shore
July 3 2022
Northwest Lobe
Blue-green algae growing and stuck in cattails
July 3 2022
Southeast Lobe (after downpour rain event)
Blue-green algae streaking and stagnant bubbles;
mild-medium odor present;
floating cattail islands blown into lobe (over 20) likely from storm drain turbulence which pushed them into lake to float with wind direction
July 4 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae build-up; stronger odor present
dark Ruppia mats
July 4 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; turbid greenish water
July 5 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; turbid greenish water; BGA streaking and clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya;
Alligator weed; brown pine nuggets that went into storm drain (and into lake) due to run off
July 5 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; turbid greenish water; black mat of Lyngbya; (right) some Ruppia strands
July 5 2022
Northwest Lobe
Red arrows illustrate Blue-green algae still stuck in cattails; medium odor present
July 6 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; turbid greenish water; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya;
Alligator weed; brown pine nuggets still present
July 7 2022
Northwest Lobe
Massive amount of floating cattail islands; Ruppia/Lyngbya mats
July 7 2022
Northwest Lobe
Red arrow illustrate Blue-green algae still stuck in cattails; white Styrofoam container litter; medium odor present
July 8 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; turbid greenish water; brownish Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; some pine nuggets still present
July 11 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; Alligator weed (left); brown pine nuggets still present
July 13 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; Alligator weed (front)
July 13 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA particulate in water column, gives green tint; (right) black Lyngbya piece floating
July 14 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya
July 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking and stagnant bubbles build up; BGA particulate in water column, gives green tint
July 17 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; Alligator weed (green leaves front)
July 20 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Red figure highlights faint bright green BGA specular amounts present within the green-black Lyngbya and Alligator weed (green leaves) invasive plant
July 20 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya
July 21 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; Living or newer? Lyngbya is dark or black in color; alligator weed (green leaves front and left) invasive plant
July 22 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; Living or newer? Lyngbya is dark or black in color; alligator weed (green leaves front and left) invasive plant
July 24 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Increased BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; odor noticeable
July 24 2022
1) Southeast Lobe 7:42 PM
Faint BGA streaking and stagnant bubbles, these bubbles are produced during the BGA photosynthesis/respiration cycle, and this phenomenon (since 2019) precedes the growth of larger visible green surface blooms.
July 24 2022
2) Southeast Lobe 8:33 PM
BGA build up, very noticeable odor
July 25 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA build up, very noticeable odor
Winds were easterly, which is why largest amount of BGA in water has been pushed to this shoreline as a build up
July 25 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; noticeable odor
July 25 2022
1) Southeast Lobe 11:56 AM
BGA stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya, trapped by cattails; noticeable odor
July 25 2022
2) Southeast Lobe 7:34 PM
yellow line estimates distance of BGA buildup from shore; medium to strong odor
July 26 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA trapped in cattails;
medium to strong odor
July 26 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; odor noticeable
July 27 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
yellow line estimates distance of BGA buildup from shore; noticeable odor
Winds were easterly, which is why largest amount of BGA in water has been pushed to this shoreline as a build up
July 27 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; odor noticeable
July 27 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA trapped in cattails; odor noticeable
July 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; odor noticeable
July 28 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA trapped in cattails; odor noticeable
July 29 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats; odor noticeable
July 31 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya
July 31 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; odor noticeable
July 31 2022
Northwest Lobe
yellow line estimates distance of BGA buildup from shore; red arrows denote where thicker BGA scum mat is within cattails (higher Microcystin toxin levels risk due to increased BGA cell concentrations);
strong BGA odor present to sidewalk
July 31 2022
Southeast Lobe (North End)
BGA in Ruppia/Lyngbya mats and BGA streaking (left); strong odor present at shoreline and noticeable odor at street; BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 2022
August 2022: Toxic blue green algae Microcystis Aeruginosa is present in large visible quantities with noticeable noxious odors directly associated with the the presence of this BGA species. Though odors and their strengths are not always explicitly noted with each image, it does not imply that no comment on odor means no BGA odor were detected. The likelihood of BGA odor being present and detectable upon these weekly observations is high. The BGA odor strength usually increases with the visual amount of BGA present.
The City has taken no actions in regards to BGA control since March 2022, nor has implemented the well established cost effective proactive actions to reduce the nutrients within the lake that fuel the growth of this BGA. Thus, BGA remains and so does its human health risks in the long and short term from Microcystin toxin exposures in the air and water. The BGA is growing within the water column throughout the lake to make a visible turbid green appearance, during these growth spurts streaking then "surface blooms" occur and get pushed to shore where there is the highest concentration of cyanobacteria cells and the highest risk for Microcystin toxin.
August 11, 2022 -- DEP sampled and found again detectable Microcystin Toxin Levels in the water column. The Northwest Lobe, Southern 'Entrance' Lobe, and Southeast Lobe, were sampled and the measured Microcystin Toxin were as follows: 5.2 ppb and 12 ppb and 16 ppb. 2 of 3 are over the EPA contact limit for 8ppb. The City has made no notification to the public about these Microcystin toxin levels. See DEP Table for details.
For brevity, when the term blue-green algae or "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance. Lyngbya is "Lyngbya Wollei".
16 of 31 days (51.6% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
August 1 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA clumps stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; darker submerged clumps and floating pieces are living Lyngbya
August 2 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA buildup; noticeable odor from sidewalk
Winds were westerly, which is why largest amount of BGA in water has been pushed to this shoreline as a build up
August 2 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA streaking; blue-green algae clumps trapped by floating cattail island; noticeable odor
August 3 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; odor noticeable
August 3 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA build up, white coating on brown cattail reeds is dried toxic BGA residue
August 4 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA particulate in water column; BGA stuck in Ruppia/Lyngbya; odor noticeable
August 5 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA buildup; stuck to remaining floating Lyngbya/Ruppia/Etc. debris
August 7 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA, some surface scum areas have turned whitish, UV exposure?
August 7 2022
Northwest Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup; very strong odor noticeable
August 7 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA in floating Ruppia/Lyngbya debris and BGA streaking; visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 8 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA in floating Ruppia/Lyngbya debris and BGA streaking; visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 8 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
yellow line estimates distance of BGA buildup from shore; noticeable odor
Winds were easterly, which is why largest amount of BGA in water has been pushed to this shoreline as a build up
August 9 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in floating Ruppia/Lyngbya? debris and BGA streaking; visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 10 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in floating Ruppia/Lyngbya? debris and BGA streaking; visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 10 2022
Southeast Lobe (Cattails)
BGA trapped in cattails; odor noticeable; visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance
August 10 2022
Southeast Lobe
Visible BGA remains in water column giving it a greenish and turbid appearance;
1) August 11 2022 8:13 AM
Southeast Lobe
BGA streaking
2) August 11 2022 2:46 PM
Southeast Lobe
BGA buildup; strong odor and acute health effects observed from being outside and exposed to air
August 11 2022
Northwest Lobe
BGA trapped in cattails; strong odor noticeable
August 12 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA in floating Ruppia/Lyngbya? debris; water remains greenish in color
August 13 2022
Southeast Lobe
BGA in a more granular scum texture pushed to shore
August 14
Southeast Lobe
BGA streaking
August 16 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA trapped in cattails; odor noticeable
August 18 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Water remains greenish in color
August 18 2022
Southeast Lobe
Water remains greenish in color
August 22 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
August 24 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
August 25 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Water remains greenish in color, oak leaves and debris from storm drain on surface of water
September 2022
September 2022: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA), Microcystis Aeruginosa, remains visually present again in the lake. The water clarity overall is poor, and has been turbid with a greenish tint and visible BGA particulate within the water column. BGA odors remain noticeable. Though odors and their strengths are not always explicitly noted with each image, it does not imply that no comment on odor means no BGA odor were detected. The likelihood of BGA odor being present and detectable upon these weekly observations is high. The BGA odor strength usually increases with the visual amount of BGA present. City contractor Cardno-Stantec confirms Microcystin toxin remains present in the lake from their testing results.
The City has taken no actions in regards to BGA control since March 2022, nor has implemented the well established cost effective proactive actions to reduce the nutrients within the lake that fuel the growth of this BGA. Thus, BGA remains and so does its human health risks in the long and short term from Microcystin toxin exposures in the air and water. The BGA is growing within the water column throughout the lake to make a visible turbid green appearance, during these growth spurts streaking then "surface blooms" occur and get pushed to shore where there is the highest concentration of cyanobacteria cells and the highest risk for Microcystin toxin.
For brevity, when the term "BGA" is referenced in the photo notes, it means the long-established "Microcystis Aeruginosa" type, with the bright green paint like appearance. Lyngbya is "Lyngbya Wollei".
15 of 30 days (50% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented
Sept 1 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
Sept 2 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
Sept 4 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
Sept 5 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water remains greenish in color
Sept 5 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking and stagnant bubbles build up; BGA particulate in water column, gives green tint;
floating cattail island present after rain event storm drain outflow
Sept 6 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Floating plant has gray-green BGA stuck to its leaves; water green-brown in color now
Sept 7 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup
Sept 7 2022
Southeast Lobe
floating cattail islands present after rain event storm drain outflow
Sept 11 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Beached cattail islands recently removed from shoreline
Sept 11 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Brown turbid water
Sept 14 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup; floating cattail island with BGA residue
Sept 15 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup
Sept 16 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup; Winds were easterly, which is why largest amount of BGA in water has been pushed to this area as a build up, compared to other photo
Sept 16 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA streaking and surface clumps
Sept 18 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae sub-surface buildup trapped against floating cattail
Sept 18 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, streaking, and stagnant bubbles
Sept 19 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA smaller surface particulate and denser BGA stuck to plant debris
Sept 20 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
BGA smaller surface particulate; gray-green BGA stuck in cattail reeds;
brownish tint to water
Sept 22 2022
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, streaking, and stagnant bubbles
Sept 25 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup, streaking, and stagnant bubbles
Sept 26 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae buildup and streaking
Sept 28 2022
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Hurricane Ian winds, increased wave action; whitecaps and foam observed;
more floating cattail islands pushed to shoreline due to wind