Algae Bloom on Lake Okeechobee and around the Marina.

City of Pahokee
City of Pahokee Marina

This season the Algae Bloom has been one of Florida’s most active in and around Lake Okeechobee. Over the last several weeks the bloom has been seen in many places on Lake Okeechobee  and around the Marina.  The  University of Florida, Agronomy Department UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and the  US Army Corps of Engineers – ERDC have been studying the algae blooms at Pahokee Marina. 

The research involves deploying devices and other instruments to determine how to cure (resolve) the blooms during aggressive outbreaks. Unfortunately, the outbreaks after settling into an area of water begin to deteriorate ( discolor and turn brown or blue) . The deterioration creates an peculiar  awful smell very similar to that of sewage.

Dr. Ben Sperry, research scientist with Univ. of Florida’s Agronomy Department for Aquatics and Invasive Plant life, who lead the research stated “ there is no alarm, this smell and visual look is a normal occurrence in the algae’s breakdown over time. The research will hopefully provide more information about algae blooms and future prevention of the plant-like growth. University of Florida plans to release its findings of the research once all analysis has been completed with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

For further information on this research at Pahokee Marina contact the

University of Florida, Agronomy Department  - UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants - US Army Corps of Engineers - ERDC

7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653   - Office: 352-392-0335

Chandler F. Williamson, MPA, DPA(20)