The Microcystis cyanobacteria bloom continues in the western basin of Lake Erie. Recent satellite imagery (Sept. 2) shows the bloom extending from Maumee Bay north along the Michigan coast, to Brest Bay; east along the Ohio coast to the Marblehead Peninsula, offshore through the Bass Islands, and up to 10 miles east of Pelee Island.
Observed conditions (8/27-9/2) promoted mixing and eastern transport of surface bloom concentration, now present in the central basin. Measured toxin concentrations still exceed the recreational threshold where the bloom is most dense (appearing green from a boat), corresponding with areas of orange and red pixels. Keep pets and yourself out of the water in areas where scum is forming. The persistent cyanobacteria bloom in Sandusky Bay continues. No other blooms are present in Lake Erie.
Winds (9-26 kn) forecast through Thursday (9/5/19) will promote mixing and eastern transport of surface Microcystis concentrations along the Michigan coast. -Keeney, Jima
To find a safe place for recreation, visit the Ohio DOH “BeachGuard” site: http://publicapps.odh.ohio.gov/beachguardpublic/
Ohio EPA’s site on harmful algal blooms: http://epa.ohio.gov/HAB-Algae
NOAA’s GLERL provides additional HAB data here: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/HABs_and_Hypoxia
