State officials raise concerns about Lake Erie algae and phosphorous worsened by record rain

12/15/2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — State officials warn that Lake Erie has its worst toxic algae ever and say fish and tourism are threatened.

Lake Erie overseer Roger Knight with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says the trends are going in the wrong direction no matter where on the lake you go.

The algae blooms are fed by phosphorous, which has been at higher levels in Ohio waterways because of increased farm fertilizer runoff due to record rainfall. The Columbus Dispatch reports Knight presented a report Wednesday to the Lake Erie Commission in Columbus showing phosphorous is above what's considered safe in almost every section the lake.

Jack Madison manages a marina in Ottawa County and says the past summer brought algae so thick you could set a beer can on it.