Harmful Algae Blooms
February 25, 2024
Western Basin Lake Erie National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science HABs monitoring program (NCCOS)
The latest image from NCCOS was captured February 24 at a surface wind speed of 24.1 mph. This image is partially cloud obscured with extensive HAB activity at open water and shorelines.
All HAB sightings are matching the color scale for a moderate concentration 100 thousand cells per 100 ml.
Below are the observations from the Feb 24 image unless otherwise noted:
- North Maumee Bay small localized HAB off Michigan shore near Monroe, extensive HABs south of Detroit.
- Toledo - Maumee Bay no HAB detected
- Toledo - Maumee Bay State Park - completely cloud obscured
- Mallard Club Marsh Wilderness Area to Cedar Point completely cloud obscured
- Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge completely cloud obscured
- Reno Beach completely cloud obscured
- Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area completely cloud obscured
- Magee Marsh Wildlife Area completely cloud obscured
- Toussaint River completely cloud obscured
- Camp Perry localized HAB along shore east of Camp Perry
- Port Clinton localized HAB along shore west of Port Clinton
- Catawba Island localized HAB along the shore east of Catawba
- Kelleys Island localized HAB along the east shore
- South Bass Island localized HAB along the north shore
- Middle Bass Island localized HAB along the north shore
Sandusky Bay:
- Muddy Creek Bay - localized HAB on the north shore
- Pickerel Point to Bayview/Route 269 - no HAB detected
- Bay View/Route 269 to Cedar Point - no HAB detected
Lake Erie east of Sandusky Bay:
localized HABs along shore at Vermilion-on-the-Lake
Composited Cyanobacteria Index as reported by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, a visual scale based on true color imagery from the Copernicus- Sentinel 3a satellite of the EUMETSAT Note: Winds above 4.0 mph may begin mixing the bloom and clouds may obscure it, leading to an underestimate of the area. Moderate and low concentrations may not be obvious to the eye.
Ohio BeachGuard, monitoring and reporting provided through the Department of Health with recreational water sampling by County Health departments and/or Ohio Department of Natural Resources, beach monitoring 2024 will resume in spring.
The following Recreational Public Health Advisories remain active at the end of the 2023 season for toxic algae though no further sampling is expected
Toxic algae advisories indicate avoid all contact with the water. Algal toxins have been found at unsafe levels. Swimming and wading are not recommended. Keep pets away.
For more information go to www.ohioalgaeinfo.com or call 1-866-644-6224
Grand Lake - St Marys - Windy Point Recreational Public Health Advisory issued for algal bloom toxin - Sep 18 microcystin 15.2 ug/L - this is up from 4.7 ug/L on Sep 11 - e.coli found at 3 cfu/100ml on Aug 13 - down from 31.5 cfu/100 ml on Jul 30
Grand Lake - Main West Beach - Recreational Public Health Advisory issued for algal bloom - toxin - Sep 18 microcystin at 21.7 ug/L up from 1.8 ug/L on Sep 11 - e.coli found at 15.8 cfu/100ml Aug 13
Grand Lake - St. Mary's Camp - Recreational Public Health Advisory issued for algal bloom toxin - Sep 18 microcystin 25 ug/L - up from 17 ug/L on Sep 11 - e.coli result for Aug 13 is 113 cfu/100ml up from 24.6 cfu in the previous test
Grand Lake - St Marys Main East Beach - Recreational Public Health Advisory issued for algal bloom toxin - Sep 18 microcystin 25 ug/L - this is up from 17.2 ug/L tested on Sep 11 - e.coli found at 193.5 cfu/100ml on Aug 13 - up from July 30 test 63.8 cfu/100 ml
Ohio BeachGuard Bacterial Contamination Advisories
Beach water sampling has ended for the season. The following beaches remain on the active advisory list at the end of the monitoring season. Bacterial contamination advisories are posted when the level of bad bacteria in the water has reached unsafe levels and could make you sick. Children, the elderly and those in ill health or weakened immune systems are advised not to swim
Camp Dennison - Clermont County - Little Miami River - Aug 28 e.coli 340 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 29
Izaak Walton League - Loveland - Little Miami River - Clermont County - Aug 28 e.coli 250 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted August 29
Lake Erie Beaches all advisories have been archived
Sep 7 2023 - The same e.coli test value was posted for Nokomis, Showse Park, Willow Cove D&E Association, Zellers, Nickel Plate and Beulah Beaches during August 2023. See below for active and archived Ohio BeachGuard Bacterial Contamination Advisories.
WT inquired at Ohio Department of Natural Resources to find out why this oddly specific number would be repeating in many tests.
According to spokesperson Andy Chow from Ohio DNR, the value 2419.6 cfu/100 ml "is the highest count that certain analytical methods can compute for E. coli density in water samples".
Note the beaches listed above had e.coli values greater than or equal to 2419.6 cfu/100 ml.
Archived bacterial contamination advisories from earlier this season:
- Beulah Beach Erie County - Aug 29 e.coli 1046.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 31
- Heidelberg Beach Erie County - Aug 29 e.coli 517.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Main Street Beach Erie County - Aug 29 e.coli 770.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 31
- Nokomis Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
- Sherod Park Erie County - Aug 30 e.coli found at 461.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
- Villa Angela State Park Cuyahoga County - Sep 5 e.coli found at 70 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Sep 7
- Edgewater State Park Erie County - Sep 7 e.coli 1046.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Sep 13
- Euclid State Park Cuyahoga County - Sep 5 e.coli 9 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Sep 7
Buck Creek - CJ Brown Reservoir - Clark County - Aug 15 e.coli 2250 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 21
Salt Fork - Guernsey County - Aug 23 e.coli 295 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Showse Park Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli found at 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Villa Angela State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 28 e.coli 8 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 30
- Columbia Park Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 28 e.coli 435 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 28
- Darby Creek - Erie County - Aug 28 e.coli test 387.3 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 29
- Edgewater State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 29 e.coli 25 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 30
- Euclid State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 29 e.coli 10 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 30
- Fairport Harbor Lake County - Aug 28 e.coli 30.9 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 30
- Headlands State Park Lake County - Aug 28 e.coli 135.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 30
- Utopia Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 24 e.coli found at 579 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
- Willow Cove D & E Association Ottawa County - Aug 24 e.coli found at 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Zeller's Beach Ottawa County - Aug 24 e.coli found at 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Old Woman Creek Beach Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli 980.8 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Lake Front Park - Lorain County - Aug 24 e.coli 488.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Lakeview Beach - Lorain County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 16
- Lakewood Beach Park - Lorain County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Main Street Beach Erie County - Aug 21 e.coli 980.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
- Maumee Bay State Park - Lucas County - Aug 23 e.coli 325.5 cfu/100ml - bacterial contamination advisory posted Aug 24
- Nickel Plate Beach Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 23
- Arcadia Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 24 e.coli 921 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
- Beulah Beach Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Castaway Campground and Marina Ottawa County - Aug 24 e.coli 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Century Beach Erie County - Aug 24 e.coli 1553.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 25
- Maumee Bay State Park Recreational Public Health Advisory issued Aug 9 for algal bloom toxin - Aug 11 sample microcystins 3.62 ug/L - confirmed Aug 4 sample 680 ug/L - e.coli found Aug 9 at 8.5 cfu/100ml
- Columbia Park Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 16 e.coli 308 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 14
- Darby Creek - Erie County - Aug 16 e.coli test 648.8 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 17
- Geneva State Park Ashtabula County - Aug 16 e.coli 248 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
Maumee Bay State Park - Lucas County - - algal toxin advisory posted Aug 9 microcystins 680 ug/L on Aug 4, 3.62 on Aug 11
Guildford Lake Main Beach - Columbiana County - Aug 16 e.coli 285.1 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted August 21
Izaak Walton League - Loveland - Little Miami River - Clermont County - Aug 14 e.coli 370 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted August 1
Jackson Lake - Jackson County - Aug 16 e.coli 355 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted August 21
Strouds Run - Dow Lake - Athens County - Aug 17 e.coli 410 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 21
- Cedar Point Chausee Erie County - Aug 21 e.coli 1046.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 22
Turkey Creek - Shawnee - Scioto County - Aug 10 e.coli 594 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 15
Kiser Lake - Champaign County - Aug 2 e.coli 1720 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 25
Pymatuning - Camp - Ashtabula County - Aug 7 e.coli 1987 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 9
Rocky Fork - North - Highland County - Aug 1 e.coli 17300 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 3
Roosevelt - Shawnee Camp - Scioto County - Aug 10 e.coli 988 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 15
Stonelick - Stonelick Lake - Clermont County - Aug 14 e.coli 740 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 25
Crystal Lake Club - Summit County - Aug 1 e.coli 501 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 27
Deer Creek - Fayette County - Aug 9 e.coli 359 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 14
- Pipe Creek Wildlife Area - Erie County - Aug 15 e.coli 410.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 16
- Sims Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 15 e.coli found at 770 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Noble Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 15 e.coli 921 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Lions Park Erie County - Aug 14 e.coli found at 1299.7 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Edgecliff Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 15 e.coli found at 326 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Community Park Beach - Lorain County - Aug 16 e.coli 357.8 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 17
- Cranberry Creek Erie County - Aug 14 e.coli 238.2 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Arcadia Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 15 e.coli 328 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Beulah Beach - Erie County - Aug 15 e.coli 435.2 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 15
- Camp Perry Ottawa County - Aug 10 e.coli 290.9 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 11
- Villa Angela State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 7 e.coli 1300 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 7
- Euclid State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 7 e.coli 1414 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 7
- Edgewater State Park Cuyahoga County - Aug 7 e.coli 26 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 7
- Huntington Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 11 e.coli 49 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 13
- Headlands State Park Lake County - Aug 7 e.coli 112.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 7
- Century Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 8 e.coli 547.5 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 8
- Clarkwood Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 8 e.coli 816 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 8
- Columbia Park Beach - Cuyahoga County - Advisory posted Aug 1 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli Aug 7 7120 cfu/100 ml
- Conneaut Sandbar Beach - Ashtabula County - Advisory posted Aug 7 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli Aug 7 2420 cfu/100 ml
- Noble Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 8 e.coli 345 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 8
- Nokomis Erie County - Aug 4 e.coli 365.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 5
- Orchard Beach - Erie County - July 27 e.coli 727.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 28
- Pickerel Creek - Erie County - July 31 e.coli 225.8 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 29
- Royal Acres Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 8 e.coli 613 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 8
- Showse Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 4 e.coli 365.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 5
- Wagar Beach Cuyahoga County - Aug 7 e.coli 236 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 7
- Main Street Beach - Erie County - Aug 8 e.coli 360.9 cfu/100ml - advisory posted Aug 5
Wyoga Lake - Summit County - July 25 e.coli 326 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 27
Pike Lake - Pike County - July 20 e.coli 243 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted Aug 4
Madison Lake - Madison County - July 26 e.coli 15500 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 31
Buck Creek Main - CJ Brown Reservoir - Clark County - July 18 e.coli 616 cfu/100 ml - advisory ongoing since June 9
Caesar Creek - South - Warren County - July 24 e.coli 1732.9 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 24
Alum Creek Reservoir - Main - Delaware County - July 25 e.coli 399 cfu/100 ml - advisory ongoing since July 27
Delaware Reservoir - Delaware County - July 25 e.coli 4110 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 27
- Sherod Park Beach - Erie County - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 28 - e.coli July 27 sample found 1299.7 cfu/100 ml
- Nickel Plate Beach - Erie County - July 27 e.coli 770.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 28
- Lake Front Park - Erie County - July 27 e.coli 387.3 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 28
- Lakeview Beach - Lorain County - July 27 e.coli 1413.6 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 28
- Lakewood Beach - Lorain County - July 27 e.coli 2400 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 28
- Main Street Beach - Erie County - July 27 e.coli 529.8 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 17
- Euclid State Park - Cuyahoga County - Advisory posted July 29 based on predictive modeling - e.coli July 28 sample found 866 cfu/100 ml
- Heidelberg Beach - Erie County - Advisory posted July 28 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli July 27 sample found 770.1 cfu/100 ml
- Community Park Beach - Lorain County - Advisory posted July 28 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli July 27 sample found .24 cfu/100 ml
- Century Beach - Lorain County - Advisory posted July 28 - e.coli July 27 sample found 727 cfu/100 ml
- Camp Perry - Ottawa County - Advisory posted July 28 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli July 27 sample found 435.2 cfu/100 ml
- Beulah Beach - Erie County - Advisory posted July 28 citing high bacterial levels - e.coli July 27 sample found 676.7 cfu/100 ml
Isaak Walton League - Loveland - Little Miami River - Clermont County - July 17 e.coli 330 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 11
Tar Hollow Camp - Pine Lake - Vinton County - July 19 e.coli 345 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 21
Tar Hollow Main - Pine Lake - Vinton County - July 19 e.coli 365 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 21
Camp Y-Noah - Clark County - July 18 e.coli 249 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 20
- Sawmill Creek - Erie County - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 17 - e.coli July 21 sample found 547.5 cfu/100 ml
Lake Loramie - Shelby County - July 4 e.coli test found 687.7 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted on July 2
Madison Lake - Madison County - July 5 e.coli 1110 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since June 14 -
New Richmond Boat Ramp - Clermont County - June 26 e.coli 610 cfu/100 ml - advisory ongoing since June 22
Camp Dennison - Clermont County - Little Miami River - July 10 e.coli 440 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 11
Dillon - Swimmers Beach - Muskingum County - June 15 e.coli 1733 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since June 16
East Fork Lake - Campground Beach - Clermont County - July 5 e.coli 880 cfu/100 ml - advisory posted July 6
Heuston Woods - Acton Lake - Preble County - July 6 e.coli 2419.6 cfu/100 ml - advisory ongoing since June 21
Buck Creek Camp - CJ Brown Reservoir - Clark County - July 3 e.coli 414 cfu/100 ml - advisory ongoing since July 5
- Utopia Beach - Ashtabula County - July 13 e.coli found at 649 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since July 11
- Whites Landing - Erie County - July 17 e.coli found at 461.1 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 17
- Zeller's Beach - Ottawa County - July 13 e.coli found at 461.1 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since July 14
- Maumee Bay State Park - Lucas County - July 17 e.coli found at 488.4 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 6
- Moss Point Beach - Cuyahoga County - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 11 - e.coli July 13 sample found 1120 cfu/100 ml
- Noble Beach - Cuyahoga County - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 11 - e.coli July 13 sample found 2420 cfu/100 ml
- Pipe Creek Wildlife Area - Erie County - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 14 - e.coli July 14 sample found 387.3 cfu/100 ml
- Camp Perry - Ottawa County - July 13 e.coli found at 613.1 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since July 14
- Century Beach - Lorain County - July 13 e.coli found at 727 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since July 13
- Columbia Park Beach - Cuyahoga County - July 17 e.coli found at 461 cfu/100ml - advisory posted July 17
- Huntington Beach - Cuyahoga County - a Recreational Public Health Advisory issued for toxic algae July 14 - microcystin test results pending - bacterial contamination advisory issued July 17 - e.coli July 16 sample found 138 colony forming units per 100 ml
- Lakeshore Park - Ashtabula County - July 5 e.coli found at 2419.6 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since June 28
- Wagar Beach - Erie County - advisory posted June 26 - June 28 e.coli test 649 cfu/100ml
- Willow Cover D and E Association - Ottawa County - advisory listed June 30 - June 29 e.coli found at 870.4 cfu/100ml
- Zellers Beach - Ottawa County - advisory listed June 30 - June 29 e.coli found at 1299.7 cfu/100ml
Beulah Beach - Erie County - advisory posted June 26 - the June 29 e.coli test 151.3 cfu/100ml
Castaway Campground and Marina - Ottawa County - advisory listed June 30 - June 29 e.coli found at 547.5 cfu/100ml
Clarkwood Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory posted June 27 - June 29 e.coli found at 248 cfu/100ml
Clifton Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory posted June 28 - June 28 e.coli test 727 cfu/100 ml
Columbia Park Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory posted June 26 - June 28 e.coli test found 387 cfu/100ml
Darby Creek - Erie County - advisory posted June 26 - June 28 e.coli test 461.1 cfu/100ml
Lake Front Park - Erie County - advisory listed June 30 - June 29 e.coli found at 2419.6 cfu/100ml
Lion's Park- Erie County - June 26 e.coli test found 261.3 cfu/100ml - advisory ongoing since June 26
Bay Park Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 28 e.coli found at 866 cfu/100ml - advisory posted June 22
June 22 - Kelleys Island State Park - Ottawa County - June 21 e.coli found at 461.1 cfu/100 ml
June 26 - Pine Lake - Tar Hollow - Main - Vinton County - June 21 e.coli found at 236 cfu/100ml
June 26 - Lake Erie - Villa Angela State Park - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued today based on predictive modeling - no test results available
June 26 - Lake Erie - Huntington Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued based on predictive modeling - no test results available
June 26 - Lake Erie - Edgewater State Park - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued based on predictive modeling - no test results available
June 27 - Lake Erie - Lakeview Beach - Lorain County - June 27 e.coli found at 1203.3 cfu/100ml
June 27 - Lake Erie - Lakeside Beach - Ottawa County - June 26 e.coli found at 488.4 cfu/100ml
June 27 - Lake Erie - Euclid State Park - Cuyahoga County - no test results available as of June 27
June 28 - Lake Erie - Century Beach - Lorain County - June 27 e.coli found at 1732.9 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Walnut Beach - Ashtabula County - June 27 548 cfu/100 ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Arcadia Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 1553 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Moss Point Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 1986 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Sherod Park Beach - Erie County - June 28 e.coli found at 435.2 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Community Park Beach - Lorain County - June 27 e.coli found at 2400 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Edgecliff Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 1046 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Utopia Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 1300 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Noble Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 1986 cfu/100ml
June 27 - Lake Erie - Royal Acres Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 3873 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Lakewood Beach Park - Lorain County - June 27 e.coli found at 1203.3 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Geneva State Park - Ashtabula County - June 27 e.coli found at 1293 cfu/100ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Conneaut Sandbar Beach - Ashtabula County - June 27 e.coli found at 288 cfu/100 ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Conneaut Township Park - Ashtabula County - June 27 e.coli found at 435 cfu/100 ml
June 28 - Lake Erie - Sims Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 27 e.coli found at 8664 cfu/100ml
June 20 - Lake Erie - Lake Front Park - Erie County - June 21 e.coli found at 325.5 cfu/100ml, June 20 e.coli result 2419.6
June 16 - Lake Logan - Hocking County - June 14 e.coli found at 345 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Clarkwood Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 13 e.coli found at 1414 cfu/100ml
June 14 - Buckeye Lake - Crystal Beach - Fairfield County - June 14 e.coli found at 355 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - White's Landing - Erie County - June 14 e.coli found at 920.8 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Little Miami River - Izaak Walton League Loveland - Clermont County - June 14 e.coli found at 3300 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Little Miami River - Camp Dennison Municipal Park - Clermont County - June 14 e.coli found at 6500 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Sims Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 13 e.coli found at 2420 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Cranberry Creek - Erie County - June 14 e.coli found at 1119.9 cfu/100ml
June 12 - Lake Erie - Clifton Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 14 e.coli found at 517 cfu/100 ml
June 12 - Lake Erie - Parklawn Beach - Erie County - June 14 e.coli found at 1733 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Showse Park - Erie County - June 14 e.coli found at 435.2 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Royal Acres Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 14 e.coli found at 1553 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Lakeshore Park - Ashtabula County - June 14 e.coli found at 687 cfu/100ml
June 14 - Lake Erie - Lake Front Park - Erie County - June 14 e.coli found at 307.6 cfu/100ml
June 15 - Lake Erie - Lakewood Beach Park - Lorain County - June 14 e.coli found at 744 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Geneva State Park - Ashtabula County - June 14 e.coli found at 920 cfu/100ml
June 16 - Deer Creek - Fayette County - June 14 e.coli found at 410.6 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Bay Point - Market Beach - Ottawa County - June 14 e.coli found at 435.2 cfu/100ml
June 15 - Lake Erie - Sherod Park Beach - Erie County - June 15 e.coli found at 285.1 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Utopia Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 14 e.coli found at 1553 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Arcadia Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 14 e.coli found at 1120 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Orchard Beach - Erie County - June 13 e.coli found at 517.3 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Moss Point Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 13 e.coli found at 1986 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Noble Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 14 e.coli found at 2420 cfu/100ml
June 13 - Lake Erie - Edgecliff Beach - Cuyahoga County - June 13 e.coli found at 1733 cfu/100ml
HABS Hazardous Algae Blooms
Get informed and stay safe around the water this summer
WaterToday collects algal bloom monitoring information from state and federal agencies including but not limited to the CDC, EPA, NOAA and state public health authorities.
HABs alerts are posted on our state maps according to the best available information reported by citizen groups, universities, state and/or federal monitoring agencies.
Before you head out to the beach, pond or stream, check with local authorities to confirm the latest HABs conditions.
Consider carrying a rapid test kit for micro-cystin, the most common of the cyanobacteria toxins.
Sources for algal bloom data:
National Centres for Coastal Ocean Science
A department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCCOS provides harmful algal bloom forecasting for certain water bodies and regions including:
West Basin Lake Erie https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-western-lake-erie-basin/
Lake Pontchartrain https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-lake-pontchartrain-la/
The forecasting is based on true color imagery provided by OLCI sensors on Copernicus Sentinel-3a satellite of the EUMETSAT group
Environmental Protection Agency Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN)
The mission of the CyAN project is to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes and estuaries by providing a useful and accessible approach to detecting and quantifying algal blooms and related water quality using satellite data records.
What is CyAN: Mobile and web-based application for cyanobacteria monitoring
How does it work? Users can enter the coordinates or name of local water bodies for monitoring information.
The CyAN project officially started October 1, 2015. It provided continental U.S. coverage using the Envisat MERIS archive from 2002-2012
Sign up here: https://www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-application-cyan-app
Centers for Disease Control
Environmental Public Health Tracking provides data and information on health outcomes, the environment, population, and exposures, including hazardous algal blooms occurring in water bodies of the USA, both freshwater and marine.
CDC Public Notice on Hazardous Algae Blooms
It is not possible to know if a large growth, or bloom, of algae or cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) is harmful just by looking at it. Some blooms make toxins (poisons), which can still be in the water even when you can’t see a bloom. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful algae and cyanobacteria, what to do if you or a pet is exposed to them, and how to help prevent these blooms.
Swimming and Wading: Stay out of water with a bloom, rinse off if you or your pets are in contact with water
If you see signs of a bloom, stay out of the water and keep your pets out of the water. Do not fish, swim, boat, or play water sports in areas where this is possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria.
Do not go into or play in water that:
- Smells bad
- Looks discolored
- Has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface
- Has dead fish or other animals washed up on its shore or beach
Protect your pets and livestock from getting sick by keeping them away from water with possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria. Do not let animals:
- Get in the water
- Drink the water
- Lick or eat mats of cyanobacteria or algae
- Eat or graze near the water
- Eat dead fish or other animals on the shore
- Go on the beach or shoreline
If you or your pets do go in water that may have a bloom, rinse yourself and your pets immediately afterward with tap water from a sink, shower, hose, or outdoor spigot. Do not let pets lick their fur until they have been rinsed. Pets may have harmful algae, cyanobacteria, or related toxins on their fur if they swim or play in water with a bloom.
Do not fill pools with water directly from lakes, rivers, or ponds. The water could contain algal or cyanobacterial toxins or unsafe levels of germs.
Drinking Water:
Follow local guidance about toxins in tap water
If you are notified of cyanobacteria or their toxins in your public drinking water supply, follow guidance from your local or state government or water utility to reduce the chances of you or your animals getting sick.
Harmful cyanobacteria may grow in water bodies that supply tap water. Although many water treatment plants can remove these toxins, tap water can be contaminated in certain situations. Cyanobacteria can also produce substances that are not harmful, but can change the taste or smell of tap water.
If you have concerns about the appearance, smell, or taste of tap water that you are using, contact your water utility or health department. Consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking until the problem is resolved.
Don’t boil water contaminated with toxins. Boiling water does not remove toxins and can concentrate the toxin.
Fish and shellfish:
Be aware of advisories and health risks related to eating contaminated fish and shellfish
Avoid eating very large reef fish (such as grouper or amberjack), especially the head, gut, liver, or roe (eggs). Large reef fish may be contaminated with ciguatoxin, the algal toxin that causes ciguatera fish poisoning. See the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance for more information on reef fish associated with unsafe levels of toxins.
Check for and follow local shellfish and fish advisories before eating any fish or shellfish you collect yourself. Algal and cyanobacterial toxins in fish or shellfish have no taste or odor. Cooking or preserving food does not remove toxins. Thus, you cannot tell if the seafood is safe by just looking at, smelling, or tasting it.
- Check to see if shellfish beds are closed. State shellfish control authorities (usually state health departments or other state agencies) are required to control for toxins where harmful algal blooms are likely to occur and toxins could build up in shellfish. Common ways state authorities control for algal toxins include routine monitoring for toxic algae or shellfish and testing shellfish for toxins before or after harvesting. If levels of toxins are unsafe, state authorities will close the area for shellfish harvesting until shellfish are safe to eat.
- Check safety advisories from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Report any concerns to your local public health authorities.
EPA notice to the public on harmful algae
Harmful algal blooms can be green, blue, red or brown. They can be scummy or look like paint on the surface of the water.
What are harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms are overgrowths of algae in water. Some produce dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water but even nontoxic blooms hurt the environment and local economies.
What are the effects of harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms can:
- Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals
- Create dead zones in the water
- Raise treatment costs for drinking water
- Hurt industries that depend on clean water
The EPA has a role in enforcing environmental protection regulations to limit discharges into water bodies that contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms.
The EPA also maintains list of Impaired Water Bodies by state, those water bodies that are not supporting their ideal uses for recreation, including swimming, fishing and wading. The EPA works with state authorities to identify water bodies that are not supporting their intended recreational uses, to set daily maximum limits for contaminants and nutrient load for impaired water bodies. The EPA works with state and other federal agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the Clean Water Act, with a role in ordering watershed plans that limit discharges to these water bodies to allow for recovery.
Follow WT Clean Water Act Crime Box to learn about the work of the EPA in historic criminal prosecutions involving illegal discharges to water bodies, or making false reports about discharges.
Check out our With the Flow report format for spills, streamflows, algae blooms and drinking water advisories occurring in the same drainage area in the same time frame, available upon request for a fee.
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