Monthly Archive: February 2008

Report Toxic Blue-Green Algae Blooms

The Washington Dept of Ecology has started a program to test blue-green algae blooms for toxicity. Any blooms in Green Lake should be reported so they can be recorded and tested. The bloom usually looks pea-green, and can be scum or filaments or small spheres.

blue-green algae looking green

Toxic blue-green algae looks pea-green in this Feb. 2008 Green Lake photo.

As the cells die, they can release pigment that is a striking blue, as seen in the photo below. Digital photos help document the bloom and can determine whether to sample. Contact Gayle Garman/Richard Fleming (206-525-1974), Sally Abella (206-296-8382, or Tricia Shoblom (425-649-7288) to report a bloom.

bright blue algae scum

Dec. 2007 close-up photo of the toxic blue-green algae in Green Lake.

The 2007 bloom was sampled by the County Dept. of Natural Resources and was predominantly Anabaena flos-aquiae, which can produce a neurotoxin. Shoreline accumulations also were seen Jan. and Feb. 2008. The blue-greens float to the surface, are pushed around the lake by the wind, then accumulate at the shoreline. The toxin may persist in the water a week or more after the bloom. The best way to minimize possible animal poisonings by the blooms is to keep animals away from the affected waters.

Minutes for February 19, 2008 Meeting

Meeting Notes
February 19, 2008

Attendees:
Corinne DeLeone (Seattle Public Utilities)
Samual Murchie (VOW)
Frank McDonald (Seattle Public Utilities)
Ingrid Wertz (Seattle Public Utilities)
Paul Chasan (Green Legacy Initiative)
Doug MartinJulie ClarkCole ClarkLiz HersethSteve QuartermanJake LynchKaren SchurrGayle GarmanRobin AmadonRichard FlemingMary Lou KnoxKevin StoopsKris FullerMichael Cornell

A. Monitoring report
Richard Fleming

  1. December 2-4, 2007 – 6 inches of rain fell in 40 hours (3.7 inches in 4 hours on the morning of December 3).
  2. Photos show water gushing out of the Densmore Drain; the grate fastenings were bowed and the SW grate corner was loosened. It looks like sediment that washed out of the drain was deposited as a 2 ft deep delta near the SE corner of the vault.
  3. Read More »