Forecasts call for a minor algal bloom on Lake Erie

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (WOOD) Good news for the Great Lakes region. A new forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the harmful algal bloom that occurs on Lake Erie each year will be lower than usual.

This year’s bloom is expected to reach a value of 3 on the harmful algal bloom (HAB) scale, ranging from 2 to 4.5. Last years flowering peaked at 6.8.

The scale is based on the total biomass of algal blooms during the 30-day period of peak bloom. Anything above 5 is considered severe blooming and anything above 7 indicates extensive foaming.

The forecast is a welcome sight for communities that rely on Lake Erie. The lake has regularly faced severe algal blooms in recent years. The 2011 bloom measured at 10 and the 2015 bloom measured at 10.5.

The harmful algal blooms of Lake Eries are made up of cyanobacteria and can produce materials which are toxic to both humans and wildlife. Depending on the location and severity of the bloom, some communities are forced to close beaches, limit fishing and adopt different measures to treat drinking water.

Predicting harmful algal blooms translates the latest science into actionable information for our partners and the public, NOAA Chief Scientist Sarah Kapnick said in a statement. Having accurate and reliable information about this year’s expected bloom will help protect the public health and economic activity of communities along Lake Erie.

Typically, nutritional runoff from agricultural fertilizers feeds the algal bloom of Lake Erie. It will still be there, but tapering spring showers should keep things in check.

While the spring was quite dry, (Lake Erie) received a large nutrient load in March, which will produce at least some light bloom this summer, said Richard Stumpf, NOAA’s chief scientist for forecasting. However, as in recent years, we have a potential additional nutrient load in July, which could lead to more moderate flowering.

This year’s flowering on Lake Erie is expected to begin in mid to late July. Weather patterns through late summer will determine how long the bloom survives and where it ends up.

Algal blooms are not common on the Great Lakes and are usually confined to a few key locations: the western basin of Lake Eries, Green Bay in Lake Michigan and Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. Cyanobacterial blooms are much more common in inland lakes. There were dozens of confirmed blooms last year. Currently, there are two active blooms on Michigan’s inland lakes, including Swan Lake in Allegan County.

State agencies provide public updates through a interactive map showing where cyanobacteria have been reported and where tests have been conducted.

If you suspect a body of water has a harmful algal bloom, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials recommend keeping people, pets, and livestock away from the water. If you have already been exposed, rinse as soon as possible.

Breathing in or swallowing cyanotoxins can cause several symptoms, including runny eyes or nose, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, headache, and dizziness. Exposure to cyanobacteria can also cause skin rashes, blisters, or hives. Pets are at an even greater risk of harmful algal blooms, especially dogs.

If you believe you have been exposed to a harmful algal bloom and feel unwell, MDHHS recommends calling your doctor orpoison controlat 1-800-222-1222.