9/19/2024
WT Staff
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September 19, 2024 updated 305 pm EDT
Algal toxin advisory cancelled for South Bass Island State Park
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
Lake Erie west basin
The Recreational Public Health Advisory posted for South Bass Island State Park on August 19 has been rescinded as the algal toxin level measured in the last two samples came below the safety threshhold for Recreational water. Maumee Bay State Park widespread HAB remains a factor at 1 to 2 million cells per ml up to the beach, the highest concentration found this season in the west shore. The latest water sample taken Sept 10 has returned a microcystins result of 10 ug/L, down from a high of 50 mid August, and 35 near the end of August. The September 3 sample came in below the safety threshhold established for recreational water, 8ug/L according to US EPA. This latest test is back over the safe level, hence the advisory remains.
The latest upload from NCCOS satellite captured Sep 18 at wind speed 7.3 mph, a clear view of Lake Erie from Toledo to the Detroit river in the north and east as far as Vermilion-on-the Lake. The widespread HAB from Maumee River outlet to West Sister Island and Turtle Bay on the Ohio shore. Maumee Bay State Park carries the high concentration hot spot at the west end of the park, 2 million cells per ml. North Maumee Bay widespread bloom is next in line at 1 million cells, the Maumee River and Maumee Bay Toledo widespread HAB close to 1 million cells per ml. The bulk area of this HAB mass runs 1 million cells closer to the Ohio and Michigan shorelines and tapers down to 200 to 300 thousand cells per ml at the open water edges. Sandusky Bay Aphanizomenon bloom has expanded into Muddy Bay in the east, the lakewide HAB 600 to 700 thousand cells per ml. A dense band of bluegreen approximately 3 nm wide lays up against Sandusky Bay's mouth lakeside of Cedar Point at 200 to 300 thousand cells per ml. Prolific HAB activity south of Pelee Island 200 to 300 thousand no longer reaches Kelleys Island, though the wind speed above 4 mph may be distorting a complete view of the HAB presence out there. See the NCCOS image here.
Find the US EPA national beach advisories dashboard, here.
Another calm weather day in Ohio. According to the National Weather Service, no hazardous weather outlooks in effect as of this report. A long way from Ohio, nevertheless capable of bringing moisture inland, we look to see what may come from the Atlantic in the next week or two. National Hurricane Center today reports remnants of Tropical Depression Gordon as disorganized showers and thunderstorms located over the central subtropical Atlantic. Some development of this system is still possible over the next several days, a low chance, 20 percent of this system reorganizing in the next 48 hours. NHC has eyes on another area in the Caribbean that could develop a broad low pressure system capable of forming a Tropical Depression over the next week, the chance of formation here being medium, 40 percent. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast ten or more hurricanes yet this season, 4 to 7 of these could be Category 3 or higher. More to follow.
Streamflow Situation from the USGS network of streamflow gauges in Ohio
Extreme drought remains on the Shade River watershed in Meigs County, three watersheds remain in severe drought as of this report. Hocking River watershed remains in severe drought through Hocking and Athens Counties, Paint Creek watershed is in severe drought impacting Fayette, west Ross and northeast Highlands Counties. On the Lake Erie side of the state height-of-land divide, Lower Maumee River watershed sticks in severe drought another day, the dry conditions here impacting Henry, Lucas and Wood Counties. Much of the remaining surface area of Ohio is rated moderate drought or below normal toward the end of the week. Great Miami and Scioto River upper basins are still clear of a drought status Thursday. Black-Rocky watershed is the last drought free area of the Lake Erie basin, the Ohio River Minor tributaries unaffected by drought are Mahoning and Shenango River watersheds in the northeast and Brush Whiteoak watershed in the south. Extreme low flows appear on the map to the right as brown tags, these are first percentile flows, the lowest water levels recorded on this date in the water monitoring history of each rated site.
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