Harmful Algae Bloom Could Form In Lake Erie In July

TOLEDO, OH — Lake Erie will experience a moderate blooming of harmful algae this summer, according to forecasts from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

According to researchers, this year's bloom will occur in the western portion of the lake and will measure 4.5 on the severity index — which is actually among the smaller blooms to form in Lake Erie since 2011. Anything above 5 is considered a severe bloom. Last year's harmful algae bloom was a 7.3 on the severity index.

Smaller blooms can actually be more toxic than larger blooms, the NOAA said. Smaller blooms can have higher concentrations of toxins. Researchers are still studying the predicted bloom to see how toxic it may be.

The bloom is expected to form in mid- to late-July, the NOAA projected. Relatively cool May and June temperatures prevented cyanobacteria from forming earlier. Researchers believe the bacteria just began forming last week.

“The mild rainfall this spring compared to last year will lead to a much smaller bloom,” said Richard Stumpf, lead scientist for the Lake Erie bloom forecast. “While the bloom this year probably will not be as mild as in 2018, we still expect to see large areas without substantial effects. This depends on where the bloom gets pushed by the wind, so anyone using the lake needs to regularly check the location of the bloom.”

If there are calm winds this year, the toxins within the harmful algae blooms may be concentrated on the water's surface, the NOAA said. How long the bloom will last will also be wind dependent.

“The expectation of a smaller bloom than 2019 is clearly something we should welcome. Nevertheless, we still have work to do,” said Christopher Winslow, director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory.

While researchers and officials celebrated the projection of a less severe algae bloom than in previous years, they noted this was not a reason to be idle in cleaning and protecting Lake Erie.

“Harmful algal blooms, which have plagued the waters of western Lake Erie and its tributaries for the last decade, are a painful reminder that more has to be done at the federal, state, and local level to protect and restore our beloved Lake Erie,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, whose coastal district stretches from Toledo to Lakewood.