Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, present a unique water
quality challenge because they can rapidly form dense surface scums, or blooms, and produce potent toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Worldwide, cyanobacteria blooms are anticipated to become more prevalent, more frequent, and more severe under future climate and land use scenarios, and Minnesota lakes are not an exception to this prediction.
Chris Filstrup, Natural Resources Research Institute applied limnologist, lead a conversation with Itasca Waters Practical Water Wisdom series last week about cyanobacteria blooms and implications for lake and public health. Topics included environmental factors that contribute to cyanobacteria blooms, research from Minnesota lakes, and ways that you can contribute towards preventing cyanobacteria blooms in your favorite lake.
