Blue-Green algae?

[zbigbadaaron]

So there is this kind of algae that has been getting in all of our ponds and lakes around the county. Its supposed to have a kind of bacteria in it that makes people sick. How long does this bacteria last? Its been like this since the 13th.

[whoopbazz]

As a fomer fish farmer which I spend at good many years pond farming catfish, I know a bit about this stuff.

First off it is NOT an algae but a bacteria with some chlorophyll in it. It thrives in hot weather in calm stagnent water with lots of nitrogen. During the day it produces O2 at very high rates. In some cases of large infestations (as in old catfish ponds), to the point of very high supersaturation levels. But, at night (and this is the big thing here), since it is a bacteria...it consumes O2 and makes CO2. To the point of almost anerorobic  (no O2 present) condiontions occur). This will cycle to until it uses up all the nutirents  (nitrogen or phosphorus) in the water.

The bloom the crashes, dies, and in some cases releases a toxic chemical that will kill every living thing (I mean fish, frogs, crawfish, the works). This chemical is only present for a very short time, which makes it almost impossible to detect afterwards.

As far as your question there are some bacteria the give off toxins while they live. And they will need to run there life course.

Here in Eastern PA we have been having lakes closed due to bacteria blooms...the same few lakes each summer. The DCNR won't tell you it is fecal bacteria from the excessive goose crap in the water from the out of control goose populations. Maybe this is the case for you?

[zbigbadaaron]

Yeah, there are geese all around the pond, and lots of ducks too.

[Nibbles]

Yeah, there are geese all around the pond, and lots of ducks too.

Shoot the geese when no one is looking. Save the fish!

[Glenn]

Try this instead:

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/algae_control.html

or this

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/algae_plant.html

or this

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/algae_copper.html

Oh, and hey, here's more info on Algea:

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/algae.html

And here's some general info on "runaway" aquatic plants this time of year:

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/aquatic-vegetation.html

Is the word "Resource" in our name?  :

[Team9nine]

So there is this kind of algae that has been getting in all of our ponds and lakes around the county. Its supposed to have a kind of bacteria in it that makes people sick. How long does this bacteria last? Its been like this since the 13th.

heres a link:http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2010/jul/13/blue-green-algae-found-rock-county/

It's going to be around for a while. Blue-greens fire up during the warmest months of the year, though they can be found in your water at lower levels year-round. Since we're just getting into the two hottest months, expect a lot of it around at least until waters start to cool in Sept. A lot depends on the severity of the bloom. Has become a very common occurrence around here in our reservoirs from May-Oct. Lots of good info out on the web if you do a Google search for "toxic algae" or "blue-green algae".

-T9