SWFL’s algae situation continues to worsen, gunk decaying in Caloosahatchee

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The algae situation in Southwest Florida is getting worse as a bloom decays in the Caloosahatchee River.

Algae first appeared in Lake Okeechobee, then at Franklin lock, the Alva Boat Ramp, and now its in Fort Myers at the Davis Boat Ramp.

There’s a thin green film floating across the surface of the Caloosahatchee. The recent blooms smell worse than they look.

The Calusa Waterkeeper said that they are sampling the green gunk to find out how toxic it is.

On Wednesday, the Waterkeeper group sent a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection asking for them to adopt enforceable water standards for toxins that are found.

People living along the river are hoping this summer won’t be a repeat of 2018.

“It’s turning greener,” Joy Lecraw, an Alva resident, said. “And I see it coming in on waves and when it’s very still water you can see it just under the surface… everywhere.”

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