Summer officially started on June 20 and plans to make the most of the warmer weather will be discussed in communities across the country. Garden furniture will come out, winter clothing will be put away and the siren call of the water will prove difficult to resist.

While the arrival of the sun was greeted with mainly smiles, federal and state environmental authorities will be taking steps to ensure that another annual visitor is dealt with in a timely fashion. Hot weather is exactly what blue green algae looks forward to and, every year, owners of properties that border inland lakes or waterways brace themselves for the appearance of cyanobacteria in their neighborhood.

The potentially toxic bacteria is a regular visitor to towns across the country and while it is seen as a nuisance to business owners and health officials alike, the blooming of blue green algae in lakes has been happening for millions of years. They can form substantial mats on the surface of the water and the smell of rotting algae is not pleasant.

According to the Lake County Record-Bee, a MediaNews Group affiliate, there have been "dozens" of algae removal attempts at Clear Lake, California, but with "limited success." The battle against the blooms has irritated many local residents who have nicknamed it "Green Lake."

"Clear Lake goes through the algae blooms and weed growth every summer," said Terry Knight, a columnist for the Bee. "They have been part of Clear Lake for millions of years and it doesn't mean the lake is unhealthy or polluted."

The blooms can be harmful to humans and deadly to animals. The Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted fifteen factors to be aware of during the summer season and checking the water at beaches or lakes was on the list.

The EPA relies on state environmental agencies to warn them of any water closures in their regions but they admit that it may be more prudent for concerned residents to "check out state specific beach advisory and closing notifications."

Terry Knight takes a more realistic view of the problem. He appreciates blue green algae is not a part of summer that people enjoy but, in the long run, the blooms will be back again next year.

"Nothing much has changed in the 50 years that I have been familiar with the lake," he said. "I expect the algae will be here for another 100,000 years."

Posted on June 21st, 2012 under Lake and Pond Algae Control