Scientists say they predict Lake Erie’s summer algae bloom this year will be ‘significant,’ and register above the level considered potentially harmful.
The forecast was released on Thursday by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and their research partners.
Severity is judged on how much algae is there for an extended period of time.
Some blooms can create toxins.
Harmful algae blooms have happened before, since Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes.
Drinking water was contaminated in 2014 for 400,000 people in southeastern Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
These algae formations can pose health risks for humans and wildlife alike.
NOAA says they think this year’s bloom will be smaller than 2011 and 2015, the two largest.
© 2023 - 910 Media Group
