Lake Erie Algae Blooms Could Be Second-Worst on Record

July 17, 2015

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an especially bad year for Lake Erie algae. Scientists from NOAA are saying this year’s bloom will be worse than last year’s—though not as bad as 2011’s record toxic algae bloom.

“Potentially, this could be the second worst bloom that we’ve seen on Lake Erie,” says NOAA’s Rick Stumpf.

In 2011, Lake Erie’s worst-ever toxic bloom drifted far east of Cleveland. And last year, the city of Toledo had to shut down its water supply for nearly three days. Stumpf says the main factor is this year’s record June rainfall, which washed more algae-feeding nutrients from farmland into the lake. But Stumpf believes most water treatment plants should be able to cope with the blooms. And biweekly NOAA bulletins on algae blooms will help boaters, fishermen and vacationers know which areas to avoid.