Algal bloom sets new record for arrival time

Scientists now say western Lake Erie’s Summer 2024 algal bloom — while still only expected to be moderate in size or a little larger — has set a new record for arrival.

“The bloom was established by June 24th, which is the earliest bloom start we’ve identified since our monitoring began in 2002,” according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration bulletin issued Thursday.

Rick Stumpf, who oversees NOAA’s algal-tracking program, told The Blade recently that the consistent trending data of earlier arrival times is likely a symptom of climate change.

There have been multiple years recently in which the bloom season has lingered longer than usual, too.

This year’s bloom came on the heels of an unusually dry and mild winter, following by record April showers and an intense heat wave. The year is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record globally again.

For reasons unknown, it started close to Monroe this year. It usually starts near Toledo.

University of Toledo Lake Erie Center Director Tom Bridgeman said that sampling done by NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor has shown relatively low toxin results so far. That UT facility will be following up with more analysis later, he said.

Mr. Stumpf said that toxin levels tend to be higher at the beginning of bloom season and recede near the end of it.

NOAA said in its bulletin it is sticking to its forecast of a bloom that will be no higher than a 5.6 on its 10-point severity index, which is mostly an average of bloom biomass during its peak 30 days each year. The severity index is not a measurement of toxicity.

“While there have been local bloom impacts along the Michigan coast, the bloom has been slower to expand than last year, likely because of weather conditions (i.e., high wind and clouds),” the bulletin stated. “The bloom will reach a peak in August, continuing into September, with variation in size and location due to wind.”

The federal agency continued to encourage people to keep themselves and their pets out of water where there are surface scums nearby.