Blue Green Algae Bloom or Cyanobacteria Control in Lakes and Ponds

Recent cases of a blue green algae bloom are on the increase as the average temperature rises and rainfall and phosphorous runoff increases, creating the perfect environment for blue-green algae or cyanobacteria to grow.  Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are capable of producing toxins that can be dangerous or even deadly to humans, pets, and livestock.  In New York, across the Finger Lakes and into Vermont, algae are proliferating, causing a biohazard problem for all areas affected. HABs have impacted the Great Lakes and many other northeastern water bodies not previously affected by the problem.

Phosphorus can come from several different sources in the environment, including agricultural runoff, septic systems, road runoff, and lawn runoff. Reducing phosphorous pollution requires coordination and management practice changes from many different sectors. It will take some time to see effects of any changes as well because phosphorous that has already reached a lake can nourish algae blooms for years.

Recent Increase of Blue-Green Algae Blooms

In particular, what made the fall of 2017 such a perfect storm for algae blooms? First, lake water stratified, and the water at the bottom became depleted of oxygen. With the oxygen gone, the sediment at the bottom of the lake released phosphorous. These bottom waters eventually “turn over” and end up near the surface – as food for algae. The excessive spring rainfall pushed more runoff into the lakes, and the warm fall weather has helped the algae to bloom more aggressively than usual. This is a problem because drinking water in the northeastern states of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and others have been affected by small amounts of toxic algae. This prompted the Senate, on September 26, to pass a bipartisan bill authorizing $22 million a year for five years ($110 million total) to fund research and prevention of blue-green algae blooms on lakes and other sources of drinking water across the United States.

Cyanobacteria or toxic blue-green algae were documented in 60 bodies of water in New York state in 2017. In Lake Erie, National Geographic reported that there were more than 700 square miles of toxic blue-green algae blooms on Oct 3. On September 18 the US government posted a press release stating that “scientists surveyed 1,161 U.S. lakes and found that cyanobacteria were the dominant algae in 76 percent of the surveyed locations. Furthermore, 32 percent of lakes contained toxins produced by cyanobacteria.”

Harmful Algae Bloom Control

The most essential step in controlling blue-green algae control in lakes and reservoirs is to adequately oxygenate the bottom through CLEAN-FLO’s unique lake and reservoir destratification/aeration systems and bioaugmentation program. A CLEAN-FLO reservoir or lake aerator can bind up to three times as much phosphorus and nitrogen to the bottom muck as watershed management can accomplish. This results in up to 97 percent or more phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The phosphorus and nitrogen then become food for insects and fish, resulting in improved lake fishing and pond fishing. Because the phosphorus and nitrogen go into food for fish, the aeration system produces reservoir, lake and pond restoration and algae control.

CASE STUDY: Eliminating Cyanobacteria – Blue Green Algae – in Reservoirs and Lakes

CASE STUDY: Cyanobacteria Control in a Eutrophic Water Supply

Bring Life Back To Your Water Body by Controlling Toxic Algae Bloom With Clean-Flo

Installing one of our inversion oxygenation systems is the most important step to improving water quality, reducing organic muck and reducing algae.  The products below can be added to help control nutrients.

Bio-Booster– Bio Booster is designed to increase diatom populations and reduce excess nutrients.

Clean & Clear^TM -CONCENTRATED ENZYMES is a synergistic blend of special non-toxic vegetable enzymes with minerals and natural plant extracts.