ALGAE 2020 UPDATE - Good info
Note: We are including this previous 2020 update on the website, as it contains valuable info on how to prevent algal blooms
You may recall that on July 20th of last year, we had a serious blue-green algal bloom appear in our canals. In 2018, we had one that started in September. But this year, we dodged the bullet and no bloom occurred.
The LIWMD Board receives weekly updates from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the algae
situation throughout the entire state. The City has a dedicated staff member in Environmental Services who checks for algae on a biweekly basis throughout the City. And so far, so good.
This year there have been no algal outbreaks anywhere in South Florida. As usual, there have been blooms in Lake
Okeechobee. We posed the question to the scientists in the City’s Environmental Services Department: “ Why were we
lucky this year?” They, as well as the state scientists, aren’t really sure why. There is speculation that there was a massive algae release from Lake Okeechobee several years ago, which would slowly flow to South Florida and it took years for that algae to be ultimately washed out to sea through the canal systems. Additionally, there were extremely high amounts of rainfall in March and April this year, which may have helped. Despite all the work being done on the blue green algae problem at both the state and local levels, it’s a complex issue that won’t be solved overnight. As they study the problem, the City is reviewing a number of methods to reduce the potential for algal blooms including aerators, oysters and bubble curtains.
The Answer: Prevention
Some algae is always present in the water, and it is actually beneficial. But once the water temperature increases to
the right level and the nutrient level is high enough, the blooms occur. Obviously, we can’t control the water temperature but we can control the nutrients that end up in the water: landscape debris, fertilizer and other debris (like dead iguanas & pet waste).
Landscape debris: you can always tell that a neighbor on your canal just had his grass mowed – you see all the grass
clippings and leaves floating by after they were blown into the water. This is illegal, of course, and can result in a $500 fine. You can call FLPD if you see it happening, but the police always arrive after the crew is gone. Lawn debris are believed to be a significant nutrient source for algae growth. The City sends out mailers to all the landscape companies who are licensed to work in the City, reminding them to not blow debris into the canals or the storm drains. Of course, it’s possible some of the landscape crews we see in the neighborhood are not licensed. We have created a simple flyer “Not Into the Canal,” which is available on the menu on this website. You can print it and send it with your monthly check to your contractor to remind him to blow the debris back onto the lawn instead of into the canal.
Fertilizer: To help stop the massive amounts of fertilizer runoff (containing nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus) going
into the canals, the City passed an ordinance in February which prohibits fertilizer application between June 1st and September 30th. Year round, fertilizer cannot be applied within 10 feet of the canal edge. See the menu item to the left to read about this new ordinance.
With a little bit of effort, we can hopefully help minimize blue green algal blooms in our canals. An interesting side
note: in the past, these blooms always dissipate in October just before the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Note: We are including this previous 2020 update on the website, as it contains valuable info on how to prevent algal blooms
You may recall that on July 20th of last year, we had a serious blue-green algal bloom appear in our canals. In 2018, we had one that started in September. But this year, we dodged the bullet and no bloom occurred.
The LIWMD Board receives weekly updates from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the algae
situation throughout the entire state. The City has a dedicated staff member in Environmental Services who checks for algae on a biweekly basis throughout the City. And so far, so good.
This year there have been no algal outbreaks anywhere in South Florida. As usual, there have been blooms in Lake
Okeechobee. We posed the question to the scientists in the City’s Environmental Services Department: “ Why were we
lucky this year?” They, as well as the state scientists, aren’t really sure why. There is speculation that there was a massive algae release from Lake Okeechobee several years ago, which would slowly flow to South Florida and it took years for that algae to be ultimately washed out to sea through the canal systems. Additionally, there were extremely high amounts of rainfall in March and April this year, which may have helped. Despite all the work being done on the blue green algae problem at both the state and local levels, it’s a complex issue that won’t be solved overnight. As they study the problem, the City is reviewing a number of methods to reduce the potential for algal blooms including aerators, oysters and bubble curtains.
The Answer: Prevention
Some algae is always present in the water, and it is actually beneficial. But once the water temperature increases to
the right level and the nutrient level is high enough, the blooms occur. Obviously, we can’t control the water temperature but we can control the nutrients that end up in the water: landscape debris, fertilizer and other debris (like dead iguanas & pet waste).
Landscape debris: you can always tell that a neighbor on your canal just had his grass mowed – you see all the grass
clippings and leaves floating by after they were blown into the water. This is illegal, of course, and can result in a $500 fine. You can call FLPD if you see it happening, but the police always arrive after the crew is gone. Lawn debris are believed to be a significant nutrient source for algae growth. The City sends out mailers to all the landscape companies who are licensed to work in the City, reminding them to not blow debris into the canals or the storm drains. Of course, it’s possible some of the landscape crews we see in the neighborhood are not licensed. We have created a simple flyer “Not Into the Canal,” which is available on the menu on this website. You can print it and send it with your monthly check to your contractor to remind him to blow the debris back onto the lawn instead of into the canal.
Fertilizer: To help stop the massive amounts of fertilizer runoff (containing nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus) going
into the canals, the City passed an ordinance in February which prohibits fertilizer application between June 1st and September 30th. Year round, fertilizer cannot be applied within 10 feet of the canal edge. See the menu item to the left to read about this new ordinance.
With a little bit of effort, we can hopefully help minimize blue green algal blooms in our canals. An interesting side
note: in the past, these blooms always dissipate in October just before the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.