Blobs of algae overtaking some Ohio lakes, ponds

Slimy blobs of algae like the ones that have polluted Ohio's largest inland lake are now being found in some small lakes and ponds. On Lake Erie, algae blooms are popping up in growing numbers earlier than in past years.

Researchers think it's because it has been hotter and rainier than usual and a sign of things to come.

Lake Erie has been plagued for years by blue-green algae, but now there's growing concern about smaller lakes following the discovery of a toxic algae that caused state regulators to warn people not to eat any fish or touch the water from Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio.

The discovery of algae in a lake at summer camp near Bellefontaine in western Ohio led camp organizers to ban swimming for two weeks after 15 children came down with rashes and stomach illnesses that officials suspect was linked to the algae.

Water tests detected a liver toxin called microcystin that went away within a few days, said Tina Badurina, a spokeswoman for the YMCA of Central Ohio, which operates the camp.

Algae blooms are a problem for some private owners of ponds and lakes even though they're still uncommon, said Bill Lynch, an Ohio State University Extension researcher who studies aquatic management.

“It is increasing every year and can be a health risk to humans and animals,” he said.

Older ponds with muddy bottoms tend to release more phosphorous that depletes oxygen so they are at greater risk of algae blooms, Lynch said.

The greatest risk is to small pets and livestock that drink from contaminated ponds. “Just because an algal bloom is present doesn't mean toxins have been released, but you shouldn't take any chances,” Lynch said.

Algae has been detected at two state park lakes this summer — Burr Oak in southeast Ohio and Grand Lake St. Marys, said Mike Shelton, a spokesman for the state's natural resources department.

Tests have not yet determined whether there are toxins in the water at Burr Oak State Park so the state has posted advisories telling swimmers to avoid the algae, Shelton said.

Weather is suspected to be a reason why algae blooms are showing up earlier and more frequently. Heavy rains wash pollutants into waterways and then hot weather makes conditions ripe for algae growth. Temperatures have topped 90 degrees on 13 days in July in northwest Ohio.

Other states, including Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, have had similar problems in recent years with inland lakes.

Indiana's health department said last week that five of nine reservoirs that it monitors have high levels of algae that could cause health problems for swimmers, including rashes and nausea.

“It's been bad the last three years,” said Lenore Tedesco, director of the Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

She thinks the algae blooms in the Midwest aren't going away soon.

“The challenge is nobody knows what to do,” Tedesco said. “There isn't one source and there isn't one solution.”

Reducing phosphorous that feeds the algae is one solution, but doing that isn't so simple.

Much of the phosphorous that ends up in the lake comes from farm fertilizers that are spread onto farm fields and then washed away by rain. Leaking septic systems and storm runoff in cities also adds to the pollution.