Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Toxic algae concerns ramp up as harmful blue-green algae is back in Lake Okeechobee.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach and Martin Counties issued blue-green algae alerts after samples from the water in both counties showed the presence of the harmful bacteria.
The lake is just over 14 feet, which is a few feet above where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prefers to have it ahead of the rainy season. That means the chances are increased for discharges into the St. Lucie Estuary.
The Army Corps just recently delayed implementation of its new water release schedule, which was expected to decrease the likelihood of east-west discharges from Lake Okeechobee.