Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
FGCU Professor may be Downplaying Blue-Green Algae Outbreak
A Caloosahatchee River water advocate says a Florida Gulf Coast University professor is endangering public health by downplaying the ongoing blue-green algae outbreak in Lake Okeechobee and the river.
Shades of Blue Water Turning Green
So far this summer, Army Corps officials have been releasing Lake Okeechobee water in pulses as the lake level rises and the wet season continues, which is leading to blue waters of the Caloosahatchee Estuary and connected waterways to turn green with algal blooms.
Opinion: Cape Coral Should Fix & Update the Chiquita Lock
Something needs to be done about the Chiquita Lock. The lock was designed to prevent Cape Coral’s polluted water from entering the Caloosahatchee estuary. It has fallen into disrepair, is a headache for boaters, and is dangerous for manatees.
Cape Coral City Council Approves $300,000 to Fight Algal Blooms
The Cape Coral city council has approved $300,000 to be used in the continuing fight against algal blooms. The money will be used to purchase additional bubble curtains and continued water treatments.
Lake O Water is Tainted and can Pollute the Caloosahatchee Estuary
Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce says even small amounts of Lake Okeechobee water will infect the Caloosahatchee River with toxic blue-green algae blooms. Water is being released from the lake now as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tries to keep surface levels in check.
Testing Relationship Between Algae Outbreaks and Health Concerns
Water infested with blue-green algae is not safe to swim in, play in or drink because of harmful toxins. Although, far less is known about what’s in the air regarding those same algae outbreaks. Calusa Waterkeeper & volunteers deploy ADAM, aka Aerosol Detector for Algae Monitoring, to monitor & sample air near algae outbreak hotspots.
New Tech Studying Blue-Green Algae in SWFL
Calusa Waterkeeper continues to deploy their high-tech ADAM devices around our local watershed for studying the blue-green algae outbreaks. Blooms are present on the lake, in the Caloosahatchee and along canals in Southwest Florida.
ADAM Testing Equipment Deployed as Blue-Green Algae Bloom Spreads to Cape Coral
A toxic blue-green algae bloom that’s been drifting around downtown Fort Myers has now spread to other areas, including the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce deploys an aerosol detection for algae monitoring unit along the Caloosahatchee River near algae hot spots.
Toxic Blue-Green Algae Thickening in Caloosahatchee
A toxic blue-green algae bloom appears to be strengthening in the Caloosahatchee, as green slicks of the organisms are visible in Fort Myers. “I’ve been seeing it around the Edison Bridges and a little downtown,” said Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce. “It’s that lime-green streaking at the surface.”
Who Pays for the Technology Aimed at Keeping Blue-Green Algae at Bay in Cape Coral?
WINK News has spoken with many Cape Coral residents to address some pressing questions surrounding bubble curtains, which are aimed at reducing algae entering our canal system from the Caloosahatchee River.
Calusa Waterkeeper Issues Area’s Bacteria Sampling Report for June
This month out of the 30 sites throughout the watershed tested by the Calusa Waterkeeper, 23% passed and 77% failed. The highest FIB count reported of 2,909 MPN at Manuel’s Branch will be discussed in a upcoming meeting.
Meet the New Collier County Waterkeeper, Ray Bearfield
There are 15 Waterkeeper organizations here in Florida, including the Calusa Waterkeeper and the Collier County Waterkeeper which welcomes Ray Bearfield as the new Waterkeeper.