July 13, 2009
Algal Bloom Safety
With blue-green algae season in high gear, we wanted to review safety around the water when blooms effect your lake.
Keep pets and children away from the water, a small amount of the toxin has killed dogs and young children.
A new study by the CDC also recommends avoiding powerboats during blooms, due to the possibility of airborne microcystins.
Check any drinking water for musty smell or taste. Boiling the water does not remove the toxins.
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April 29, 2009
Algae as a Biofuel
The race for alternative energy is creating some interesting choices, like algae. Scientists are trying to harvest algae to become the next great biofuel. But, they are finding algae might not be the easiest subject to harvest. The expense and the finicky nature of the organism has many researchers searching for answers. Could the Midwest with countless watersheds become a player in this burgeoning science?
Listen to a NPR special on Algae, here.
New center in San Diego to focus on algae as biofuel
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November 13, 2008
Eutrophication Costing the U.S. Billions
A new study shows eutrophication of freshwater systems in the U.S. is costing Americans between $2.2 and $4.4 billion dollars a year. The biggest losses occur to lakefront property values, which lose value to the degradation of water quality. Those...
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November 4, 2008
More Dogs Die Due To Blue-Green Algae
4 dog deaths across Wisconsin and Minnesota from the toxins in blue-green algae has many hunters alarmed; due to the fact that the deaths occurred while duck hunting. A large number of algal blooms this late in the year is... Continue reading "More Dogs Die Due To Blue-Green Algae"
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October 16, 2008
Blue-Green Algae Guide
Do you have questions about blue-green algae? Find out how your drinking water is treated for algae, and how municipalities deal with the toxic nuisance, here.... Continue reading "Blue-Green Algae Guide"
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August 29, 2008
Clean Up Canada's Lakes
Researchers from the University of Regina in Canada are studying the effects of fertilizers and nitrogen on lakes in the country. They want to see if the reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus and timing of applications can help clean up some... Continue reading "Clean Up Canada's Lakes"
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August 13, 2008
Lake Tahoe Is Clear
Lake Tahoe keeps warming like many bodies of water around the world, but amazingly it has become clearer. After the Angora Fire many were worried that runoff and pollutants would cloud the water, but the water clarity is better than... Continue reading "Lake Tahoe Is Clear"
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July 23, 2008
Algae and Lakes
As first predicted by the MLPC algae is overtaking lakes across the Midwest at a record pace this summer. From Lake Monona to Fountain Lake, algal blooms have lake lovers running from local shorelines.... Continue reading "Algae and Lakes"
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June 20, 2008
Algal Blooms and Flooding
Algae choking Lake Mendota The Midwest Lakes Policy Center is predicting a record number of algal blooms in lakes this summer throughout the Midwest. The algae will be due to the massive amount of runoff, fertilizers and nutrients that... Continue reading "Algal Blooms and Flooding"
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June 2, 2008
Summertime Safety Around Algae
Three species of blue-green algae, microcystis, anabaena and aphanizomenon are popping up in more and more lakes all over the country. Hundreds of lakes have one or more blooms a summer. Please be very cautious around any floating mat of... Continue reading "Summertime Safety Around Algae"
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May 29, 2008
Clean Your Lake or Pond
Organic Environmental Technology is introducing a new technology to improve water quality in small lakes and ponds. The technology includes a proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms that are the natural enemies of the putrefying bacteria found in ponds and lakes.... Continue reading "Clean Your Lake or Pond"
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May 28, 2008
DNR Testing Lakes
Clear Lake and other lakes in Iowa are being currently tested by the DNR. The tests are for turbidity, water temperature, pH and bacteria levels. The DNR is making sure the water quality of the lakes is right for the... Continue reading "DNR Testing Lakes"
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May 20, 2008
New Zealand's Lakes
Algae and invasive weed populations are not just a problem here in the United States. Lakes around the world are facing many of the same problems. Read this story out of New Zealand, and see what they are doing to... Continue reading "New Zealand's Lakes"
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March 6, 2008
Lake Joseph
Recent tests of Lake Joseph in Ontario, Canada show average phosphorus concentrations in the lake have almost doubled since the late 1990s. It is still unclear what is causing the increase, but it has many people in the community of... Continue reading "Lake Joseph"
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February 21, 2008
Algae and Silver Carp
Scientists in China will use fish to clean up one of the country's most polluted lakes. 50,000 silver carp have been introduced into Chaohu Lake and another 1.55 million will be added over the next month. Each individual carp is... Continue reading "Algae and Silver Carp"
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February 1, 2008
Barley Straw and Lakes
Lake owners and cities around the Midwest are now using barley straw to break down algae in lakes and ponds. The straw is high in carbon and low in phosphorus. The barley attracts microbes that eat phosphorus that would otherwise... Continue reading "Barley Straw and Lakes"
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January 14, 2008
Didymo, Rock Snot-Spreading
Didymosphenia geminata, Didymo or rock snot is an algae strain that may be spreading across North America. It is of great concern because it does so well in pristine systems, which is such an unusual characteristic for algae. This particular... Continue reading "Didymo, Rock Snot-Spreading"
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December 21, 2007
Algae and Boats
We all know to avoid algae blooms in the water. But, now we may not be able to share airspace with the toxins that take over many lakes every summer. Scientists studying algae in Bear Lake, Michigan discovered boat traffic... Continue reading "Algae and Boats"
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