Toxic algae confirmed in St. Lucie River (FL); residents urged to avoid contact
The Florida Department of Health in Martin County is urging residents to avoid contact with visible algae in the St. Lucie River from the Okeechobee Canal to the St. Lucie Inlet after initial test results detected bloom concentrations of Microcystis aeruginosa, a type of blue-green algae also known as cyanobacteria that can produce toxins.
These toxins can be harmful to people and pets.
Exposure to water containing algae toxins may cause nausea and vomiting if ingested and rash or hay fever symptoms if touched or inhaled.
Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_martin_county/toxic-algae-confirmed-in-st-lucie-river-residents-urged-to-avoid-contact#ixzz2adkS3Ngz
This goes back to the Army Corps of Engineers. They are trying to lower the water level of Lake Okeechobee. It's currently 4 feet above normal. Since we have no money to actually repair the dike, they allow for the water to be drained into local estuaries. One in particular is the St Lucie River. It used to flow into the Everglades, but now it all flows to the St Lucie River. It's killing fish and other wildlife in and around Martin and St Lucie Counties. This is a bad situation and it's getting worse!!
