MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Some say it looks like pea soup. Others say it’s as green as the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day.
- Blue-green algae found in canals by Manatee River
- Bloom causing water to turn green
- Residents advised to avoid water
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Residents living on the canals by the Manatee River, just north of SR 64 in Bradenton, knew something in the water just wasn’t right when the color started to change earlier this week.
"Just following the rain, it popped up all green like this,” said lifelong resident Nick Ellis.
He said he’s lived on the water for 30 years and has never seen anything like it.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed a type of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, is causing the change in the water. As of Friday morning, the DEP states that no toxins have been detected in their water samples that have been taken at five locations on the Manatee River.
Blue-green algae, the DEP states, is naturally occurring and common in freshwater. It can also occur in brackish water as well. It tends to grow when water temperatures get higher and the daylight hours get longer.
Experts say higher levels of nutrients in the water, as well as sediment, can lead to higher levels of cyanobacteria growth.
“The less that goes in the water, the better,” said resident Paul Croft. “I think we're all very concerned and careful about the canals and the water we live in.”
The Florida Department of Health says residents should avoid coming into contact with algae and recommends not swimming or fishing where a visible bloom is present.