Certain factors must occur for a blue-green algal bloom to form. High surface water temperatures, large amounts of sunlight and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen are just some of the factors to contribute. These blooms occur mostly in the warmer months of summer to early fall. They are not easy to see with the naked eye unless they clump together and form what is called an algae bloom.
Characteristics of blue-green algae are identified by:
- A pea soup-like appearance
- A general blue-green colour in the water
- Decomposing garbage or fresh mowed lawn odour
- Solid-looking (cottage cheese appearance) clumps floating on the surface of the water
~Muskrat Watershed Council
Photo of a Blue-Green algae bloom
taken by Gigi Larose
Muskrat Watershed Council, Cobden
Renfrew County