Dead fish, including largemouth bass and tilapia, are floating along the shoreline of the Crane Point section of the Sawgrass Lakes community in Port St. Lucie, leaving residents concerned about the lake’s health and the city’s response. “This is absolutely the worst I’ve seen,” said James Herbert, a resident on the lake. Herbert believes the city’s recent treatment for blue-green algae has worsened the situation. The city says the treatment is necessary to prevent any of the toxic algae from overtaking the water.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”The chemicals killed the lake, and they’re trying to fix it with more chemicals. It’s not the way to go,” Herbert said. Bob Shonce, another resident, said the lake’s problems date back years, beginning around 2020. He has been in consistent communication with the city about the lake’s health. “They’ve tried numerous things, and they’re here today. A number of them are here today trying to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it,” Shonce said. City officials acknowledged the complexity of the issue, citing factors such as blue-green algae, low dissolved oxygen levels and previous fish kills. They confirmed that the lake was treated earlier this week for blue-green algae and that dissolved oxygen levels are currently being monitored. Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.”There’s not necessarily any one silver bullet. And that is part of what the challenge is, is trying to find something that’s going to work and be as effective as possible,” said Scott Samples from the city of Port St. Lucie.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
Dead fish, including largemouth bass and tilapia, are floating along the shoreline of the Crane Point section of the Sawgrass Lakes community in Port St. Lucie, leaving residents concerned about the lake’s health and the city’s response.
“This is absolutely the worst I’ve seen,” said James Herbert, a resident on the lake.
Herbert believes the city’s recent treatment for blue-green algae has worsened the situation. The city says the treatment is necessary to prevent any of the toxic algae from overtaking the water.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“The chemicals killed the lake, and they’re trying to fix it with more chemicals. It’s not the way to go,” Herbert said.
Bob Shonce, another resident, said the lake’s problems date back years, beginning around 2020. He has been in consistent communication with the city about the lake’s health.
Hearst OwnedWPBF 25 News
Dead fish, including largemouth bass and tilapia, are floating along the shoreline of the Crane Point section of the Sawgrass Lakes community in Port St. Lucie, leaving residents concerned about the lake’s health and the city’s response.
“They’ve tried numerous things, and they’re here today. A number of them are here today trying to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it,” Shonce said.
City officials acknowledged the complexity of the issue, citing factors such as blue-green algae, low dissolved oxygen levels and previous fish kills. They confirmed that the lake was treated earlier this week for blue-green algae and that dissolved oxygen levels are currently being monitored.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
“There’s not necessarily any one silver bullet. And that is part of what the challenge is, is trying to find something that’s going to work and be as effective as possible,” said Scott Samples from the city of Port St. Lucie.