 August 5, 2024 954 am EDT
Ohio HAB Tracker
from NCCOS satellite monitoring and Ohio BeachGuard
Maumee Bay State Park bluegreen algae concentration spiked over the weekend
The latest image of Lake Erie West basin captured August 4 at the uncommon low wind speed 2.2 mph shows a startling and sobering concentration of bluegreen algae material in Maumee Bay State Park. The change from Saturday to Sunday is dramatic, the west half of the shoreline jumped up from the 600 to 700 thousand cells per 100 ml to 2 to 3 million cells, just off shore of the west half of the beach. At the same time, the Department of Health has removed the recreational beach advisory, as samples collected two weeks ago on July 18 showed the algal toxin microcystins back below the safe level. Watching the daily changes in this HAB indicates the algal toxin count will be back soon, the advisory may be delayed, however keep your swimmers and pets away from the water.
Sandusky Bay HAB extent is reduced to dispersed clumps of Aphanizomenon HAB in the water west of OH-269, still presenting a mat with some density filling the water east of OH-269. The concentration matches the color scale for 600 to 700 thousand cells per 100 ml.
Lake Erie West Basin HAB Monitoring Program satellite images supplied by National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
The following observations are based on the clear image from August 4 unless otherwise noted:
- North Maumee Bay widespread HAB 900 thousand to 1 million cells per 100 ml
- Toledo - Maumee Bay widespread HAB extending from Maumee River through the bay into Lake Erie at 800 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Toledo - Maumee Bay State Park widespread HAB block extends 10 to 12 nm from shore 1 million to 3 million cells per 100 ml, hot spot just off shore in the west half of the beach * algal toxin advisory has been rescinded by Dept of Health
- Mallard Club Marsh Wilderness Area to Cedar Point widespread block from shore to 10 to 12 nm into open water 1 to 2 million cells per 100 ml
- Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge widespread block from shore to 10 to 12 nm into open water 1 million cells per 100 ml
- Reno Beach widespread block from shore extending 8 nm into open water 800 thousand along shore up to 1 million plus cells per 100 ml one to two nm from shore
- Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area widespread block from shore extending 8 nm into open water up to 1 million cells per 100 ml with a small hot spot in the center of the mass 1.5 million
- Magee Marsh Wildlife Area widespread block from shore extending 8 nm into open water up to 1 million cells per 100 ml
- Toussaint River outlet widespread HAB running from shore 12 to 15 nm into open water 300 to 400 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Camp Perry widespread HAB from shore extending 10 to 12 nm into Lake Erie runs 300 thousand cells per 100 ml near shore down to 200 thousand cells at the outer edge of the mass
- Port Clinton HAB in Portage River and along shore 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Catawba Island HABs in the east interior harbor and marinas 2 million cells per 100 ml
- Kelleys Island no HABs
- South Bass Island no HAB activity
- Middle Bass Island no HAB activity
Sandusky Bay:
- Muddy Creek Bay - no HAB activity
- Pickerel Point to Bayview/Route 269 - dispersed open water HABs Aphanizomenon 600 to 700 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Bay View/Route 269 toward Cedar Point - widespread HAB Aphanizomenon 600 to 700 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Cedar Point - cloud obscured - clear image August 3 shows no HAB or too low concentration to detect outside of Cedar Point
Lake Erie east of Sandusky Bay no HABs observed
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.
Eighteen beach advisories are listed Monday morning, down from twenty on Friday. Maumee Bay State Park advisory for algal toxin has been rescinded this morning based on two consecutive water samples below the EPA threshold for recreational water. Those samples taken July 18 and July 25 may not reflect current conditions as the satellite imaging indicates the bluegreen algae has dramatically increased in concentration just over this weekend. A high bacteria advisory remains in effect for Maumee Bay State Park. Nine Lake Erie beaches are listed for high bacteria, along with five interior water bodies and four permanent algal toxin advisories for Grand Lake.
Ohio Department of Health posts advisories based on updated lab test results with e.coli levels above 235 ug/L, or based on predictive modeling. Beach advisories based on predictive modeling may display e.coli test results well below the threshold 235 ug/L.
The following list are the beaches with active Recreational Public Health Advisories, test results are updated as they come in, check back for the latest results.
Algal Toxin AdvisoriesUS EPA safe limit for microcystins in recreational water 8 ug/L; OEPA safe limit for drinking water sources .3 ug/L
- Grand Lake - St Marys - Windy Point - Recreational Public Health Advisory - Algal bloom-toxin issued May 23, 2024 July 23 microcystins 21.1 ug/L up from 20 ug/L July 16
- Grand Lake - Main West Beach - Recreational Public Health Advisory - Algal bloom-toxin issued May 23, 2024 July 23 microcystins 12.9 ug/L up from 12.1 ug/L July 16
- Grand Lake - St. Mary's Camp - Recreational Public Health Advisory - Algal bloom-toxin issued May 23, 2024, July 23 microcystins 15.9 ug/L up from 9.6 ug/L July 16
Bacteria Contamination Advisory High Bacteria Level confirmed by lab testing
Lake Erie Beaches
- Bay View West - Erie County - advisory issued 851 am Aug 2, 2024 for e.coli 727 cfu per 100 ml measured Aug 2
- Showse Park - Erie County - advisory issued 841 am July 30, 2024 for e.coli 231 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Lakeview Beach - Lorain County - advisory issued 137 pm July 31, 2024 for e.coli 365.4 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Lakewood Beach Park - Lorain County - advisory issued 144 pm am July 31, 2024 for e.coli 648.8 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Maumee Bay State Park (Erie) - Lucas County - advisory issued 228 pm am July 30, 2024 for e.coli 501.2 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Lakeshore Park - Ashtabula County - advisory issued 306 pm July 9, 2024 for e.coli 276 cfu per 100 ml measured Aug 1
- Sims Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued 1021 am July 30, 2024 for e.coli 291 cfu per 100 ml measured Aug 1
- Nickel Plate Beach - Erie County - advisory issued 838 am July 30, 2024 for e.coli 248.1 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Noble Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued 1035 am July 30, 2024 for e.coli 411 cfu per 100 ml measured Aug 1
Interior Ohio Beach Advisories
- Grand Lake - St Marys Main East - Auglaize County - advisory issued 1225 am July 29, 2024 e.coli 307.6 cfu per 100 ml measured July 28
- Delaware Reservoir - Delaware County - advisory issued 1234 pm Aug 1, 2024 e.coli 860 cfu per 100 ml measured July 30
- Camp Dennison Municipal Park, Little Miami River - Clermont County - advisory issued 919 am August 1, 2024 e.coli 560 cfu per 100 ml measured July 29
- Hueston Woods, Acton Lake - Preble County - advisory issued 1256 pm July 30, 2024 e.coli 2419.6 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Isaak Walton League - Little Miami River - Clermont County - advisory issued 228 pm July 23, 2024 for e.coli 580 cfu per 100 ml measured July 22
Removed from the active advisory list this week:
- Lake Erie - Maumee Bay State Park (Erie) advisory posted July 19 415 pm for algal toxin found 40 ug/L in water sample collected July 11. The advisory was officically rescinded August 5 758 am as consecutive water samples collected July 18 and 25 tested below the EPA guideline for recreational water: test results being 4.7 ug/L and 3.61 ug/L, respectively.
- Bay View East - Erie County - advisory issued 915 am July 26, 2024 for e.coli 101.7 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
- Clifton Beach - Cuyahoga County - advisory issued 904 am July 31, 2024 for e.coli 326 cfu per 100 ml measured July 31
Ohio BeachGuard is a public facing app displaying active advisories for recreational water bodies, including high bacteria advisories and toxic algae advisories. Sampling is done by County Health, water utilities or Ohio Department of Natural Resources with advisories issued and lab test results reported by the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency oversees standard testing of raw water sources for bacterial and cyanotoxin levels in water to be treated for drinking. OEPA and ODNR, Ohio DOH publish test results for drinking water and recreational water separately, even on the same water body. WT tracks bacterial and cyanotoxin values from both the recreational BeachGuard and Ohio Drinking Water Watch.
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 check Ohio State resources here
or call 1-866-644-6224
Western Basin Lake Erie National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
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 loads 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.
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