Slough near private dock experiencing a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in 2022 on West Point Lake The highest ever recorded since the record keeping began in 1997 by the state. The latest samples, in 2023, hit an average of 30ug/L-with a huge spike occurring in October at 69 ug/L. “In 2014, the indicators were below the state standards of 24 ug/L (Micrograms per liter) for the yearly average.” “We’re concerned about the health trajectory that the Lake is currently on,” Jacobs said. It has levels of chlorphyll-a, above state standards, concerning CRK Deputy Director, Henry Jacobs. The lake is located 45 minutes drive north of Columbus. It represents an increase in nutrients which can influence the likelihood of HAB. Its presence is a clue to the negative health of a water body. Chlorophyll-a, is a green pigment that allows algae to use sunlight to grow. The river watchdog group, CRK, has recorded levels of chlorophyll-a, an algae indicator, since 2014. “Our biggest issue is a species that is capable of damaging your liver.” “Humans might get a rash if you come into contact, but if your dog drinks or gets near a HAB water it can die within a few hours,” Ashely Desensi, Technical Program Director of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) said. Coming into contact with HABs or drinking water near a HABs can have serious consequences. Some of these blooms are toxic and known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
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