9/11/2024
WT Staff
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September 11, 2024 updated 929 pm EDT
Category 2 Hurricane Francine Main Surge unfolding now in Louisiana
Streamflow Situation from the USGS network of streamflow gauges
Tracking Francine: Now a category 2 hurricane with sustained wind speed 100 mph, Francine's storm surge is unfolding, Amite River is flooding near Maurepas. Tornado Watch and Flood Watch in effect with life-threatening storm surge, winds, flooding and tornadoes expected. Tracking Francine, one-stop event page for #Francine, here.
Clear and sunny today with no hazardous weather in the forecast from Cleveland or Wilmington local forecast offices of the National Weather Service. USGS network of streamflow monitors in Ohio show largely below normal volumes midweek with half a dozen monitors recording 1st percentile flows, dispersed around the state from Auglaize and Maumee Rivers in the northwest to Hocking River in the southeast, Ohio River south central Ohio and Mad River in the southwest. Severe drought remains in the Lower Maumee River watershed and Hocking River watershed, moderate drought extensive in the northwest Lake Erie basin, Wills Creek watershed and Ohio River minor tributaries Raccoon-Symmes watershed. As of this report, there are no extreme high flows recorded in the network.
WT HAB Tracker from the satellite monitoring program of the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science(NCCOS), Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) and State sources where available
Tracking HABs and hazardous materials spills through the state waterways for potential impacts to drinking water sources and recreational water takes on a new meaning during flood events. Where cyanobacteria blooms have been growing for some time, and where the concentration can be estimated, the presumption of cyanotoxins must follow. In times of flooding, the water bodies with significant HAB blooms should be regarded with extra caution. Large inland water bodies in Louisiana anticipate storm surge today due to Francine making landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas have appeared clear of HABs most of this season with no HABs observed in the most recent satellite image from NCCOS, September 8. On the other hand, Lac des Allemands and Bayou Fortier have been running lakewide HABs of extreme high concentration for weeks. Should these lakes overflow, HAB toxins could become mobile over a larger area. Those in the area should avoid contact with this water.
Louisiana
The latest satellite image of Lake Pontchartrain and the southeast water bodies is dated Sep 8, snapped in high wind conditions over 18 mph. The hurricane warning includes storm surge potential for the large inland lakes, including Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas, so far this season no significant HABs. Lac des Allemands and Bayou Fortier lakewide HABs run 1 to 2 million cells per ml, the north half of Lake Verret shows a lakewide HAB 700 thousand cells per ml. This water should be presumed to carry cyanotoxins, exercise caution and remove yourself and pets from around these water bodies if at all possible. See the latest LA HAB Tracker report, here.
Lake Erie west basin
Lake Erie west basin is revealed in a clear, full color satellite image from NCCOS, captured Sept 10 at a reduced wind speed, 6.2 mph. West and south shorelines from north of Monroe, Michigan beyond Vermilion-on-the-lake in Ohio again covered by HABs. Maumee Bay at Toledo from the outlet of the Maumee River to North Maumee Bay runs a lower concentration in this image, from 1.5 to 2 million cells per ml down to 1 million cells. The highest concentration found in Maumee Bay State Park positioned just off shore at 2 to 3 million cells per ml. Another hot spot is visible right along shore on the west side of Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge 2 million cells per ml. The band of HAB run about 5 nm wide along the Ohio shoreline to Camp Perry, leaving a narrow band along shore past Port Clinton. The open water HAB surrounds the islands, including Pelee Island on the Canadian side of the border, the concentration at open water moderate 200 thousand cells or less. Sandusky Bay Aphanizomenon HAB is lakewide in the bay 800 to 900 thousand cells per ml. The area east of Sandusky Bay around Sandusky City drinking water intake remains visible, 200 thousand cells per ml. See the latest Ohio HAB Tracker update, here.
New York
No updates have been added as of this report, two hundred and fifty-seven HABs reported Tuesday afternoon, down from 352 Monday. First HABs of the season were confirmed yesterday for Seneca - Cayuga Canal, Raquette Lake and Morningside Pond with the majority of HAB activity in the Finger Lakes region. The latest impacted water body list is available here.
A new satellite image uploaded September 10 shows Lake Champlain fully, again no HAB in the northeast bay, the bloom in St Albans Bay has increased in concentration from 600 to 700 thousand cells per ml to 1 to 3 million cells, a hot spot in the center of the bay. Lake Carmi HAB appears to have broken up and dispersed, the visible HABs match the color scale for 600 to 700 thousand cells per ml. See the NCCOS color image of Lake Champlain here.
California
California Water Boards Recent HAB Update came out Friday, Sept 6 with 12 DANGER and 12 Warning advisories posted in recreational water bodies. Danger and Warning advisories are posted on the beaches, be sure to heed the specific safety measures to avoid inhaling, ingesting or absorbing cyanotoxins. The symptoms of contact with toxins include skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset in humans, and rapid demise for pets. The presence of bluegreen algae is not always indicative of cyanotoxins, this can only be established through water testing. Presumption of the presence of the toxins with the bluegreen algae is a cautious approach to public safety, given the health risk. Cyanotoxins damage vital organs, the signs of which may not be felt until damage is done. Find the US EPA national beach advisories dashboard, here.
Check out the latest California HAB Tracker report, here, and while you are visiting WTCAL.us, see the bluegreen tags on the California map for more information.
Georgia from Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN)
Cyanobacteria cell counts have been added for select Georgia water bodies as available from CyAN satellite early detection system. Jackson Lake, Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell have been assessed, the measurements are not current, however do indicate the past presence of cyanobacteria. Georgia does not presently require drinking water facilities to test for cyanotoxins, this is a discretionary matter for the State to determine. Lake Burton is the high cell count leader at over 500 thousand cells per ml, measured April 20, 2024. Next is Alexanders Landing in Walter F George Reservoir, measured around 125 thousand cells per ml in early June this year. More to follow as we work through the Cyanobacterial Assessment Network (CyAN) collected data for the major water bodies in Georgia. See the Georgia water bodies list with cell counts here.
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