Health official confirmed Friday that a blue-green algae outbreak in the Caloosahatchee River is toxic to humans and animals.
“A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors,” a Florida Department of Health in Lee County press release reads.
DOH officials say the bloom is centered around North Shore Park and West First Street and Altamont Avenue in downtown Fort Myers. It warned people not to swim, water ski or do other activities in water where there is an active bloom. Blooms can also be harmful to pets.
Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce said his group is watching both the conditions in the river and the lake.
“We are very concerned about the current bloom levels on the lake, and we know the Army Corps has tried not to impact our estuary too much,” Pierce said.
“We’re into the rainy season and we’re at that threshold where releases would stress the estuary,” Pierce said. “All these things that are going on further justify the need for us to get Everglades restoration projects done as soon as possible. We really want to see this water flowing south and alleviate some of the discharges to our watershed.
Pierce said at times, the river already has too much freshwater flowing through the lock.
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