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Experts Project Large Algae Bloom in Lake Erie this Summer

Jun 27 | 2017  by

By Beth Florkowski of Fausone & Grysko, PLC posted in News and Press on Tuesday, June 27, 2017.

Paul Bohn, Esq.

Large algae blooms in Lake Erie over the past couple years have been problematic and that doesn’t look to change this summer.

Because of the large rainfall experienced in the region during the month of May, experts have predicted a large algae bloom in Lake Erie this summer. Rain travels through farmlands picking up excess nutrients from fertilizer chemicals and puts phosphorus in the lake.

Combined with their displeasing appearance, algae blooms can become toxic and put people and their pets in danger. Occasionally, algae blooms have forced beaches to be temporarily closed.

By measuring rainfall and the phosphorus collected, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration has come up with a way to project the size of the summer’s algae bloom.

Analysts say that there are still two months left in the phosphorus loading season, so there is plenty of time for their predictions to change. Even though the area had a relatively dry March and April, a gloomy May has skyrocketed phosphorus levels past those of 2016.

Although there is no model to predict the toxicity of the algae blooms, NOAA has said they are continually working on one. Until then, they will have to hope for a dry summer to reduce the chances of a large bloom.