2023 Oct - Dec
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October 2023
October 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA) remains visually present within the water column as there are larger particulate specs dispersed, and usually an observable green tint to the turbid water from farther view. Shoreline BGA surface streaking (both gray and green BGA states) and large bright green BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is dominantly present and growing in large enough colonies and quantities to form visible particulate. This BGA is likely the Microcystis Aeruginosa or a combination thereof of Microcystis species and the other identified BGA species from prior water quality data. The City of St. Petersburg has ceased water quality sampling (including toxin testing) after the beginning of July 2023 despite confirmed toxic algal bloom dominance and Microcystin toxin levels.
There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality). No nutrient reduction treatment methods have been applied since 2020. The cost effective suggestions of increased aeration, beneficial bacterial treatments, and cattail removal have not been utilized for over 3 years. No dredging plans or schedule have been completed by the City. The City contracted September 2021 Sediment Report stated the sediment (this is the dredged material placed during the 2002 City approved USACE-SAJ Harbor Isle Lake Fill project) was the highest internal nutrient load and dredging was an applicable removal option.
Tampa Bay Area is still in severe drought conditions as of Oct 3, 2023. This condition may be contributing to the less intense presence of surface scum BGA at this time. Rainfall events are noted within the photos, as they likely aid in BGA surface bloom attempts [rainfall notes are in review and currently not noted after Oct 7, please check back]
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. It appears another granular type/visible form of Microcystis is also present, distinct from the paint like form.
14 of 31 days (45% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
Oct 05 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Yellow arrows denote the blue-green algae gray translucent streaking, which appears to be a weakened state of the BGA but still demonstrates the lake's conditions are favorable to proliferate and become visible.
Oct 05 2023
Southeast Lobe
Bright green blue-green algae clumps stuck in the rocks and floating on the surface, overall yellow-green turbid water.
Oct 06 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green streaking and specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
On Oct 7 2023, Rainfall event, measured ~0.14"
Oct 10 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Oct 10 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
October 13 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denotated by red arrows.
October 19 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
October 20 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denotated by red arrows.
Green turbid water.
October 22 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface buildup.
October 23 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
October 23 2023
1) Southeast Lobe ~8:09 AM
Blue-green algae sticky bubbles and translucent streaking, a part of BGA lifecycle.
October 23 2023
2) Southeast Lobe ~11:31 AM
Blue-green algae specs on surface and within water column, green turbid water tint due to microscopic dominance of BGA colonies.
October 24 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae granular clumps and green turbid water.
October 25 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae olive green and gray streaking and bright green granular clumps.
October 26 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green granular clumps and green turbid water (lack of clarity of the 2 PVC pipes not removed when nanobubble generator was taken out on Dec 2 2021)
October 27 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
October 29 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
October 29 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae streaking and granular clumps of other Microcystis? type
October 30 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae gray streaking and bright green granular clumps, green turbid water.
October 31 2023
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface buildup and other type of bright granular specs on surface (other Microcystis type?), denotated by red arrows.
October 31 2023
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe - West View
Blue-green algae surface buildup, grayish color streak indicates dying cells.
November 2023
November 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA) remains visually present within the water column as particulate specs, which appears as green tinted turbid water from farther view within the water column. Shoreline BGA surface streaking (both gray and green BGA states) and large bright green BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is dominantly present and growing in large enough colonies and quantities to form visible particulate. This BGA is likely the Microcystis Aeruginosa or a combination thereof of Microcystis species and the other identified BGA species from prior water quality data. The City of St. Petersburg has ceased water quality sampling (including toxin testing) after the beginning of July 2023 despite confirmed cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) dominance in samples and confirmed Microcystin toxin levels.
There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality). No nutrient reduction treatment methods have been applied since 2020. The cost effective suggestions of increased aeration, beneficial bacterial treatments, and cattail removal have not been utilized for over 3 years. No dredging plans or schedule have been completed by the City. The City contracted September 2021 Sediment Report stated the sediment (this is the dredged material placed during the 2002 City approved USACE-SAJ Harbor Isle Lake Fill project) was the highest internal nutrient load and dredging was an applicable removal option.
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. It appears another granular type of Microcystis is also present in clumps.
Rainfall events are noted within the photos, as they likely aid in BGA surface bloom attempts [rainfall notes are in review and currently not noted, please check back]
26 of 30 days (86.6% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
November 1 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows;
Green tinted water (indicating planktonic cyanobacteria bloom)
November 2 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 3 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 5 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows; trapped into floating cattail islands.
November 6 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 7 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 7 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae sticky bubbles and gray streaking (a part of life cycle), and bright green clumps.
November 8 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 9 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs and clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 12 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
November 13 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular clumps on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 14 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
November 15 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, within brown debris.
November 16 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
November 16 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae light-medium streaking.
November 17 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 17 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 19 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 19 2023
1) Southeast Lobe ~9:02 AM
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
November 19 2023
2) Southeast Lobe ~12:41 PM
Lightened surface streaking and bright green granular clump type remains.
November 20 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
November 21 2023
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green granular clumps and green turbid water (lack of clarity of the 2 PVC pipes not removed when nanobubble generator was taken out on Dec 2 2021)
November 21 2023 - View 2
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Close up of granular BGA type (Another Microcystis species?)
November 22 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright green granular clumps and green turbid water.
November 23 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
November 24 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 25 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface.
November 26 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 27 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 28 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
November 28 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae light gray-olive surface streaking and grandular BGA clumps.
November 29 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
November 29 2023
Southeast Lobe
Blue-green algae granular clumps.
November 30 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and bright green granular clumps (another Microcystis type?)
December 2023
December 2023: The confirmed toxic planktonic blue-green algae (BGA) remains visually present within the water column as there are larger particulate specs dispersed, and usually an observable green tint to the turbid water from farther view. Shoreline BGA surface streaking (both gray and green BGA states) and large bright green BGA specs or clumps were documented. These are indicators that BGA is dominantly present and growing in large enough colonies and quantities to form visible particulate. This BGA is likely the Microcystis Aeruginosa or a combination thereof of Microcystis species and the other identified BGA species from prior water quality data. The City of St. Petersburg has ceased water quality sampling (including toxin testing) after the beginning of July 2023 despite confirmed toxic algal bloom dominance and Microcystin toxin levels.
There has been no additional methods used by the City to proactively prevent these toxic blooms (and improve overall water quality). No nutrient reduction treatment methods have been applied since 2020. The cost effective suggestions of increased aeration, beneficial bacterial treatments, and cattail removal have not been utilized for over 3 years. No dredging plans or schedule have been completed by the City. The City contracted September 2021 Sediment Report stated the sediment (this is the dredged material placed during the 2002 City approved USACE-SAJ Harbor Isle Lake Fill project) was the highest internal nutrient load and dredging was an applicable removal option.
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. It appears another granular type of Microcystis is also present in clumps.
Rainfall events are noted within the photos, as they likely aid in BGA surface bloom attempts [rainfall notes are in review and currently not noted, please check back]
23 of 31 days (74% of the month) noticeable toxic blue-green algae quantities were documented. This does not include the presence of the likely toxic planktonic algal bloom in the water column creating the green turbid water, which is likely a dominant toxic cyanobacteria type. (Cyanobacteria is commonly considered a planktonic algae type despite being bacteria.)
Dec 01 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Greenish tint to water.
Dec 03 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 04 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 05 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Faint green-gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Dec 07 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Dec 08 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 10 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 11 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt), some green clumps still present.
Dec 12 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow. Yellow arrow points to faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Dec 13 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 14 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 15 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 17 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
Dec 18 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
Dec 19 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
Dec 20 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
Dec 21 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 22 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup:
bright green - white - olive green - gray colors, various stages of life cycle
Dec 22 2023
Southeast Lobe ~10:34 AM
Blue-green algae surface streaking and granular specs.
Dec 22 2023
Southeast Lobe - West View ~1:22 PM
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
Dec 26 2023
1) Southern (Entrance) Lobe ~10:14 AM
Close up of BGA - arrow denotes second granular type of BGA, another Microcystis type? It's visibly different than Microcystis Aeruginosa's paint like form.
Dec 26 2023 - View 2
2) Southern (Entrance) Lobe ~11:57AM
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup.
Dec 26 2023
1) Southeast Lobe ~10:03 AM
Blue-green algae buildup.
Dec 26 2023
2) Southeast Lobe - East View ~10:03 AM
Blue-green algae surface streaking and buildup with gray white color.
Dec 26 2023
3) Southeast Lobe ~12: 57 PM
Blue-green algae submerges below water's surface and becomes plume within water.
Dec 27 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface and faint gray streaking and bubbles of BGA (weakened regrowth attempt)
Dec 28 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrow.
Dec 29 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs on surface, denoted by red arrows.
Dec 31 2023
Southern (Entrance) Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs, stuck in floating debris.
Dec 31 2023
Southeast Lobe
Brown colored water, Prorocentrum minimum again? or some other planktonic algae form?
Dec 31 2023
Northwest Lobe
Blue-green algae bright granular specs, stuck in cattails, denoted by red circles.