Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection's Water Quality Status Map

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Protect Florida Together website features user-friendly interactive water quality status maps for Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Protecting Florida Together water quality status map

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Algal Bloom Dashboard

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's interactive Algal Bloom Dashboard provides the most comprehensive information on algal blooms available in Florida.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Algal Bloom Dashboard

Algae Notification

Algal Notification on Corps Properties

To ensure a safe and healthful environment for project visitors and employees, the South Florida Operations Office, as instructed by the Florida Department of Health, will advise the public regarding presence of/or risk of cyanotoxins from blue-green algae blooms at designated dam walkways, fishing piers and boat launch areas.

Signage will be located on Corps property at the entrances of dam walkways, boat ramps, campground entrance stations, fishing piers and walkways.

  • Boat Ramps (St. Lucie, Port Mayaca, Ortona North, Franklin South, Franklin North)
  • Campground entrance stations (St. Lucie, Ortona South, Franklin North)
  • Fishing Piers (Ortona North, Ortona South, Franklin North, St. Lucie and Moore Haven)
  • Other bulletin boards positioned where visitors are in close proximity to water throughout all recreation areas.
  • Walkways across locks open to the public.

Public Health Advisories

Yellow- blue green algae present

 


Red - Florida Department of Environmental Protection testing indicates toxins present

 

 

Date W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam Ortona          Lock and Dam

Julian Keen, Jr.
Lock and Dam

Port Mayaca Lock and Dam St. Lucie Lock and Dam
As of June 7, 2022 (info current, no change since last posting)          

 

Stay Informed

Florida Department of Health: The Florida Department of Health (DOH) provides education to the public to prevent and reduce illnesses caused by harmful algae blooms.

Algae bloom toxicity levels: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida’s water management districts collect samples when algae blooms are observed. 

Suspected algae-related illness: Citizens are advised, if they have any suspected algae-related illness or health effects due to exposure to algae, to see their physician and report any suspected illness to the Florida Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.

Stay Away

From the Florida Department of Health:

In water bodies with blue-green algae, if people or animals splash or if boats create wakes, the cyanotoxins in the algae can release into the air.
The toxins mix with water droplets and spray—that’s how people and animals can inhale the toxin. These toxins can’t pass through your skin easily so swallowing large amounts of contaminated water is what causes illness. This algae is blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor like rotting plants. Pets can become sick from blue-green algae so keep them out of those areas and away from contaminated marine animals and fish.

SYMPTOMS? Stay away from blue-green algae.  For some people, blue-green algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to smells can have respiratory irritation. Sometimes, high exposures of toxin can affect the liver and nervous system.
If you come into contact with blue-green algae, get out of the area and wash off with soap and water. See your doctor if you think blue-green algae has made you sick.

CONTAMINATED WATER  Water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick—stay away from these areas.
 
Get more information from the Florida Department of Health