If you’ve ever been swimming at Presque Isle, you may have seen signs advising you to avoid the green, murky areas of the water, also known as “harmful algal blooms.”
Harmful algal blooms (HAB) occur when warm temperatures and excess nutrients in water runoff cause certain species of algae to rapidly reproduce, some of which release toxins into bodies of water like Lake Erie.
When in doubt, stay out – Dept. of Health warns of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie
One Gannon University director said the current water temperature of Lake Erie is in the 60s, which is uncommon in October, and as the climate keeps getting warmer, HABs have become more likely to sprout.
“What’s happening with climate change, we’re seeing the lake temperatures rise, and as a consequence of that, we’re seeing these larger, more long-term harmful algal blooms, and they’re growing,” said Sherri Mason, Gannon University Project Neptwne Director.
On Tuesday, PennFuture, Conservation Voters of PA and local leaders came to the Blasco Library on Front Street to highlight the urgency of the issue and call the public to action.
While the harmful algal blooms can pose health risks to wildlife, pets and even people, officials who spoke at the event said the problem could affect other aspects of the Erie community, such as fishing, swimming and overall maritime recreation.
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“It can really affect the economy. Nobody wants to come to a region and recreate in green, toxic water and one of the strongest legs of Erie’s economy, per a quote from Erie’s own John Oliver, is our tourism, right? Under his lead, we’ve seen it go from less than half a million to over two billion dollars,” said Mason. “All of that can be counteracted if we’re constantly having these harmful algal blooms.”
Mason said Lake Erie is the “canary in a coal mine” for issues like this, as the lake’s shallow depth makes it more susceptible to HAB growth compared to the other Great Lakes.
She said just 11 years ago, on Lake Erie, Toledo, Ohio, went three days without access to clean water after an algal bloom was so bad the water treatment plant couldn’t clean it enough to be safe, leaving the community unable to drink, bathe, or clean.
Local politicians are also looking to make sure that doesn’t happen in Erie, and one state representative said he’s been discussing the issue as a member of the Great Lakes Commission.
“We will meet in Wisconsin in the last weekend of October, and to hear these issues that we can bring to the table when I’m there, it resonates with all the Great Lakes states, and when we get together, we try and formulate plans or ideas that we can do in our own areas, so it’s imperative that I hear from constituents and from other stakeholders for tourism, for industry,” said Pat Harkins, Pennsylvania State Representative.
Harkins said those looking to get involved about the issue can contact local representatives, explore local initiatives and check out local university programs.
As for doing your part to stop algal blooms before they happen, Mason said to reconsider how you fertilize your garden, as certain fertilizers can enter water runoff and dump excess nutrients into waterways, which helps HABs grow.