Have you heard or read something about blue-green algae recently?

If you’ve already read this blog post, Thank You for visiting today and please scroll down.

By the way, the most-viewed topic the last 2 months? The daily and weekly “Progress Reports” on the Gulfstream Hotel — and next Monday, every Monday, is another weekly progress report — of course, as previous progress reports have shown, don’t get your hopes up. There will probably be no progress to report but continue to stay tuned.

Now back to, “heard or read something about blue-green algae?”

First, please take note: Thus far this year there have been NO WATER RELEASES from Lake Okeechobee east into the Indian River Lagoon.* Please continue reading to learn why this is very important. Also, below is more information (including a video) about the Lake Worth Lagoon you may have missed.

From this blog on Thursday, news from Alex Hagan at WPTV/NBC5. Headline datelined July 19th:

“Scientists, county leaders looking to solve Treasure Coast bacteria issues”

Two excerpts from this news segment are below (use link to watch an on-site interview by Mr. Hagan): 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. - If you're looking for a place to cool off on the Treasure Coast, avoid the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.

and. . .

     Most recent testing labels the water quality as poor.
     “One of the major problems,” says Brian Lapointe with FAU Harbor Branch.
     He has been studying this issue for more than 30 years.
     “Poor soil conditions and in the wet season, high water tables that in many cases infiltrate the drains fields of septic tanks,” [emphasis added] says Lapointe.
     He says he is working on a study with Port St. Lucie city leaders to find the source of the pollution.

On lagoons in South Florida. . .

Have you read “Paddling the habitats of Lake Worth Lagoon” by reporter Willie Howard? Two short excerpts:

     To date, the county [Palm Beach County] has overseen 49 environmental restoration projects in the Lake Worth Lagoon, the 20-mile-long estuary that stretches from Ocean Ridge to North Palm Beach.

and. . .

     Creating a place for paddling, fishing and nature observation is a side benefit of the restoration work. [emphasis added] The Snook Islands Natural Area [City of Lake Worth] features a boardwalk and gazebo overlooking the mangrove islands, educational kiosks, day-use boat docks, a fishing pier and a kayak launch on the northwest side of the Lake Avenue Bridge.

For more about the Lake Worth Lagoon, here is a short video† to share with your friends and neighbors:

*More information from the South Florida Water Management District.

For more recent news on this topic, from AP reporters Jason Dearen and Mike Schneider, and by NPR Miami correspondent Greg Allen use this link.

†Film titled, “Under the Big Top”, (PG; July 2017). Narrated by Mr. Greg Rice; starring the City of Lake Worth and our Intracoastal Lagoon. Please note: special care was taken not to injure or harm birds, fish, eels, or turtles. Lookouts and volunteers detected no blue-green algae, press, or media during the filming of this event.