Signs warn of toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lake Okeechobee marina
Signs warning of the ills of a blue-green algae bloom stand near the now cordoned-off north-end docks at Pahokee Marina on the shores of Lake Okeechobee in western Palm Beach County.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection tested the waters near the pier on July 6 and updated its findings on July 10. Microcystis aeruginosa is listed as the main toxin in their reports. Satellite analysis shows that Lake Okeechobee surface water has patches of low to high bloom potential on approximately 25% of the lake as of July 6.
Because of that, warnings have been issued warning people of the dangers of blue-green algae.
Five "health alert" warnings about marked blue-green algae locations
Do not swim in the water
Do not get the water in your eyes, nose or mouth
Do not eat shellfish from contaminated water
Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water
Throw out fish guts
Cook fish well
Keep pets and livestock away from the waters
Thomas Cordy is a multimedia journalist at The Palm Beach Post.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County residents warned blue-green algae in Lake Okeechobee