Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
W.P. Franklin Lock Beach on the Caloosahatchee River Quietly Closed – This Time, for Good
With no fanfare, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers quietly closed a well-loved Caloosahatchee beach. This week, staff will start sodding over the sand that slopes to the river at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. That hasn’t stopped determined swimmers, however.
Toxic Algae Found in Caloosahatchee River Near Franklin Lock
The weather is heating up and so is the water, and if last years summer was any indication, that’s not a good mix for water quality. Large amounts of algae were spotted near Franklin Lock and Dam this weekend, the Calusa Waterkeepers posted a few pictures of the algae build up through their Facebook page.
CDC Plans to Uncover the Health Effects of Blue-Green Algae
It is dangerous. But what can it do to your health? That is the question at the center of the water quality crisis. Now, researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are trying to get you answers. They are focusing on the people exposed to the algae blooms.
CDC to Study How Inhaled Algae Toxins Affect Lake Okeechobee Fishing Guides
Federal scientists plan a first-ever study of Lake Okeechobee fishing guides to help understand the long-term health effects of the lake’s cyanobacteria blooms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intends to recruit 50 volunteers for the research.
Algae Bloom Appears at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers
A floating layer of algae has appeared at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. John Cassani points out, “There’s some huge developments across the street and there’s also some development in the headwaters, so I’m guessing whatever algae bloom it is, it’s responding to the additional nutrient enrichment.”
Blue-Green Algae Spotted in North Fort Myers
Calusa Waterkeeper found algae appearing on the river all the way from Labelle to North Fort Myers. Cassani says this could be an early start to a long season of harmful algal blooms. “It’s a little bit early, and water temperatures are still getting warmer.
Hearing on Chiquita Lock Removal Wraps Up
A legal challenge to the state intent to issue a permit for the removal of the Chiquita Lock has concluded. Rebuttal witness John Cassani said he believed the removal of the lock would be detrimental to Matlacha Pass, which has been designated as an outstanding waterway by the EPA.
Florida’s New Blue-Green Algae Task Force
WGCU Media catches up with Florida Gulf Coast University’s Professor of Marine Science, Dr. Mike Parsons, to learn about the new Blue-Green Algae Task Force. They also check in with John Cassani to get the latest on what he’s seeing in area waterways.
Green Slime Along the Caloosahatchee River Concerns Neighbors
The WINK News drone spotted algae near the Edison Bridge in North Fort Myers. Even more concerning, the Calusa waterkeeper tweeted: Cyanobacteria pigment levels in the water at the Franklin Lock are 15 times higher than they were last year at this time.
Governor DeSantis will Attend Rooney’s Roundtable on Harmful Algal Blooms at FGCU
Governor Ron DeSantis will attend U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney’s multi-agency roundtable on harmful algal blooms at FGCU followed by a press conference. Rooney’s decision to keep the gathering closed to citizens and the media has been controversial.
Expert Comments to the ACOE for Lake Okeechobee’s Regulation Schedule
The Center for Biological Diversity joined forces with Calusa Waterkeeper, Sierra Club, Bullsugar and Save the Manatee Club to submit scoping comments for the ACOE’s review regarding an upcoming revision to the Lake Okeechobee System Operations Manual.
Study Shows Bad Septic Tanks Polluting Water
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University presented results of a study to Lee County Board of Commissioners to show the sources of bacteria polluting the Caloosahatchee River. John Cassani with Calusa Waterkeeper says some of the septic tanks could be up to 60 years old.