NOAA and its research partners are forecasting that western Lake Erie will experience a smaller than average harmful algal bloom (HAB) this summer, which would make it less severe than 2021 and more akin to what was seen in the lake in 2020.
This year’s bloom is expected to measure 3.5, with a potential range of 2-4 on the severity index — whereas last year’s bloom was measured at a 6.
The index is based on the bloom’s biomass — the amount of algae — during the peak 30 days of the bloom. An index above 5 indicates more severe blooms. Blooms over 7 are particularly severe, with extensive scum formation and coverage affecting the lake. The largest blooms occurred in 2011, with a severity index of 10, and 2015, with a severity index of 10.5...
COLUMBUS – Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University, and The University of Toledo are requesting pre-proposals for one- to two-year research projects from Ohio colleges and universities as part of the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI).
Pre-proposals must be submitted online by Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 5 p.m. EST.
The funding focuses on agency priorities aimed at reducing nutrient loading to Lake Erie via wetland design, identifying agricultural management practices that are both efficient and cost-effective, learning about algal toxin formation and human health impacts, and informing water treatment technologies.
Addressing these priorities will help support agencies’ management decisions...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its research partners predict that western Lake Erie will experience a moderate harmful algal bloom this summer. This year’s bloom is expected to measure 4.5 on the severity index – among the smaller blooms since 2011 – but could possibly range between 4 and 5.5, compared to 7.3 last year. An index above 5 indicates the more severe blooms.
Lake Erie blooms consist of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, capable of producing the liver toxin microcystin which poses a risk to human and wildlife health. Such blooms may result in higher costs for cities and local governments that need to treat drinking water, prevent people from enjoying fishing, swimming, boating and visiting the...
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its research partners predict that western Lake Erie will experience a significant harmful algal bloom this summer, potentially reaching levels last seen in 2013 and 2014, though smaller than the record bloom of 2015.
This year’s bloom is expected to measure 7.5 on the severity index but could range between 6.5 and nine. An index above five indicates a potentially harmful bloom. The severity index is based on a bloom’s biomass — the amount of its harmful algae — over a sustained period. The largest blooms, in 2011 and 2015, were rated 10 and 10.5, respectively.
The size of a bloom isn’t necessarily an indication of how toxic it is. The toxins in a large bloom may not be as...
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Harmful algal blooms are expected to be lower this year in Lake Erie than in 2015.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its research partners predict that western Lake Erie will experience a less severe bloom than the record-setting one experienced last year during the harmful algal bloom season, the agency said July 7.
The outlook reflects less discharge from the Maumee River and a return to an average nutrient runoff into the lake, NOAA said. This year’s bloom is expected to first appear in late July and increase in August in the far western basin of Lake Erie. The location and effects will depend on prevailing winds.
“The need to reduce phosphorus and other nutrients from fertilizer, manure and sewage remains,” said...
Heavy June rains causing heavy nutrient runoff into lake basin
NOAA and its research partners, using an ensemble modeling approach, predict that the 2015 western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom season will be among the most severe in recent years and could become the second most severe behind the record-setting 2011 bloom.
The effects of the cyanobacterial blooms include a higher cost for cities and local governments to treat their drinking water, as well as risk to swimmers in high concentration areas, and a nuisance to boaters when blooms form. These effects will vary in locations and severity with winds, and will peak in August or early September.
The bloom will be expected to measure 8.7 on the severity index with a range from 8.1 to potentially as high as 9.5. This is more severe...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The following experts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Ohio Sea Grant College Program are available to speak with the media about the recent report of invasive grass carp breeding in a Lake Erie tributary:
• Eugene Braig, Aquatic Ecosystems Program Director, Ohio State University Extension, School of Environment and Natural Resources, 614-292-3823, braig.1@osu.edu.
Braig can speak on the significance of the finding and the potential impact of grass carp and other Asian carp on Lake Erie.
• Jeff Reutter, Director, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Stone Laboratory, Center for Lake Erie Area Research and Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystem Research Consortium, 614-247-6469 (...
