A look back at toxic algae blooms from Lake O discharges since 2005

Treasure Coast Newspapers

MARTIN COUNTY- Fluorescent green toxic algae blooms, which contain ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, slimed the Treasure Coast during the "Lost Summers" of 2005, 2013, 2016 and 2018. The algae was not found in the St. Lucie River during years when Lake Okeechobee discharges did not take place.

Take a look back at TCPalm's visual diary of the algae blooms, community reaction and response from politicians.

Austin Kemp, of Central Marine, wearing a gas mask while taking a boat out for a test run in the algae-filled waterway of the St. Lucie River on Thursday June 30, 2016 in Stuart, after Sen. Bill Nelson viewed the algae in the river from their marina.

The Florida Department of Health issued a health alert in March after confirming the toxin microcystin in at least three locations, including two that are over 8-parts-per-billion, which the Environmental Protection Agency says is harmful:

St. Lucie Canal (C-44) at the 96th Street bridge: 17 parts per billion
St. Lucie River at Four Rivers in Palm City: 11 parts per billion
St. Lucie River at the Palm City Bridge: 0.92 parts per billion