Battling Harmful Algal
Blooms: A Case Study
Callon Hegman
Illinois Office Manager
2 minute read
The Problem
A homeowner in Illinois was alarmed by the pea soup appearance of their 11.22-acre lake, a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and recreation. To prevent a harmful algal bloom, they turned to Aquatic Control.
What Is Blue-Green Algae?
Often mistaken for algae, blue-green algae is actually a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria. It thrives in warm, nutrient-rich waters and can rapidly form unsightly blooms. These blooms can turn water a pea soup green or light green and often emit an unpleasant odor.
More importantly, cyanobacteria can produce toxins harmful to wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans. To combat these blooms and improve lake health, it’s essential to reduce nutrient levels.
The Remedy
To address the nutrient issue, Aquatic Control recommended EutroSORB WC, a proven solution for reducing nutrient levels in water bodies.
The Results
Conclusion
The target goal of reducing algal blooms was successfully achieved through monthly applications of EutroSORB WC. The frequency of algal blooms was significantly reduced, with only one bloom observed in 2023 compared to five in 2022. Growth of Pithophora was substantially diminished, and Spirogyra became the dominant green algae issue. Additionally, native pondweed growth thrived, contributing to the overall improvement in lake health.
