Green algae spotted in Cape Coral, NFM waterways

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Minor amounts of algae were found in the water near the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Monday, a Cape Coral city spokesperson said.

“We’ve limited our visits to the beach here at the Yacht Club,” Sandra Dixon, a Cape Coral resident, said. “Especially because the water is, you know, getting a little bit greener and browner and we have concerns for ourselves and our grandchildren.”

A viewer sent video to WINK News of algae in water near Jaycee Park. Still, the detection of algae will not change any operating procedures at this time, the city said.

“It’s pretty disgusting looking actually,” added Steve McCullough. “I won’t go in this, and I can’t believe people are swimming in it even though they say it’s okay.”

The city says it will follow any advisement from the Florida Dept. of Health in Lee County in dealing with the algae.

Toxic blue-green algae recently took the east coast of Florida by storm in a mess caused in part by freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee and an increase in nutrient runoff.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says it collected samples from the Cape Coral Yacht Club late last week but the test results aren’t back yet, leaving parents worried.

“I look over to the right and there’s children swimming in that water and I told my daughter, who’s going to be 18, I wouldn’t let her swim in there,” said Erica Herold.

Health officials say bacteria levels at the Yacht Club were good when the water was previously tested on July 5, but swimmers should still avoid areas with mats of algae on top.