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June 25, 2009

Algae blooms prompt alert

Recurring summer problem on area lakes

By Tanner Kent

CLEVELAND — When it comes to algae, ugly is ugly.

Recent rains may have removed much of the greenish tint from the thick, matted algae bloom that blankets the water just offshore from Bob Sutter’s East Lake Jefferson home. But the brownish-hued goop left behind is no better for aesthetics.

“Out 100 feet from shore, it’s been just miserable,” said Sutter, a seven-year resident on the north side of the lake. “When it gets hot, I call it the ‘teabag effect’ — it just sits there and brews.”

This week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued a statewide alert to warn people to watch for a particular type of algae bloom — blue-green algae — on their area lakes. This particular algae is toxic and can be harmful and possibly fatal, especially to dogs and other animals.

Only problem is, blue-green algae can be difficult to distinguish from other equally fetid but non-toxic algae varieties that are abundant in southern Minnesota’s nutrient-rich lakes.

MPCA spokeswoman Cathy Rofshus said the general rule of thumb is “When in doubt, best keep out.”

Most algaes, she said, emit a foul odor. But blue-green, in particular, is said to smell like manure or rotten eggs. Its appearance is often compared to green paint or pea soup.

“It’s not something you want to dive into,” Rofshus said. “It’s nature’s way of telling us to stay out.”

Algae blooms are nothing new in southern Minnesota. The blooms cause everything from mild rashes to organ damage, and the MPCA has issued alerts in previous years. The blooms generally pop up after a stretch of hot weather produces rapid algae growth that is spurred by excess nutrients in the water from fertilizer runoff and faulty septic systems

Tom Conroy of the Department of Natural Resources office in New Ulm said the algae blooms are a continual concern to the DNR.

Most DNR efforts, he said, are concentrated on watershed conservation practices because once the algae blooms, “There’s nothing we can do.”

Rofshus said the recent storms that passed through the area will only provide a temporary respite from the algae problem. She said the rain will help get water flowing, but the runoff will only add more phosphorous and nitrogen into the lakes, exacerbating the problem in the long run.

Conroy said the only real solution is to continue improving water quality and encouraging cropland management techniques.

“It’s an ongoing, never-ending battle,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sutter has his own battle to fight on East Jefferson Lake. An avid Jet Skier, he said he’s always enjoyed cruising the Jefferson-German lakes chain.

Not anymore, though.

“Since I’ve been here,” Sutter said, “the algae has not been this bad, this consistently.”

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