According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lake Erie is in for severe algal blooms again this year, potentially rivaling the 2011 event that contaminated Toledo’s drinking water.
The agency rates algal blooms on a scale of severity from 0 to 10; those rated 5 or higher are cause for concern. The 2011 bloom—the most severe observed to date—earned a 10. This season’s is predicted to be 8.7, with a potential range from 8.1 to 9.5, according to a recent report.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lake Erie is in for severe algal blooms again this year, potentially rivaling the 2011 event that contaminated Toledo’s drinking water. The agency rates algal blooms on a scale of severity from 0 to 10; those rated 5 or higher are cause for concern. The 2011 bloom—the most severe observed to date—earned a 10. This season’s is predicted to be 8.7, with a potential range from 8.1 to 9.5, according to a recent report. [text_ad] Algal blooms are caused by nutrients in agricultural and urban runoff. After a relatively dry spring, heavy rains in June produced record discharge and nutrient loadings from the Maumee River, which will result in a more severe bloom, NOAA predicts. NOAA is currently providing twice-weekly bulletins on the water quality in western Lake Erie. Field data from NOAA and other agencies and universities, including data on algal biomass and toxicity, are used to help refine forecasting models. NOAA is also developing hypoxia forecasts for other regions including the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Northwest. This article from Stormwater magazine looks at ongoing assessment efforts in the Great Lakes, including an intensive assessment that takes place every five years. This article provides more detail about some of the specific monitoring processes used to gauge water quality at the intake of Toledo’s water supply, about 4 miles out in Lake Erie.
Algal blooms are caused by nutrients in agricultural and urban runoff. After a relatively dry spring, heavy rains in June produced record discharge and nutrient loadings from the Maumee River, which will result in a more severe bloom, NOAA predicts.
NOAA is currently providing twice-weekly bulletins on the water quality in western Lake Erie. Field data from NOAA and other agencies and universities, including data on algal biomass and toxicity, are used to help refine forecasting models. NOAA is also developing hypoxia forecasts for other regions including the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Northwest.
This article from Stormwater magazine looks at ongoing assessment efforts in the Great Lakes, including an intensive assessment that takes place every five years. This article provides more detail about some of the specific monitoring processes used to gauge water quality at the intake of Toledo’s water supply, about 4 miles out in Lake Erie.Janice Kaspersen
Janice Kaspersen is the former editor of Erosion Control and Stormwater magazines.
