Lake Erie Algae Blooms

August and September are peak months for the algae blooms that plague Lake Erie each year.  This year, the bloom covers about 620 square miles.  That’s roughly six times the size of the city of Cleveland and is so big, it is easily seen from space.  On "Issues of the Environment" this week, 89.1 WEMU’s David Fair will talk with University of Michigan professor Don Scavia about the 2019 blooms and what needs to be done as climate change seems to be exacerbating the problem.

Algae blooms have been problematic in Michigan, especially in Lake Erie.  In this month's "First Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks to Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-business Association, about ways to keep algae blooms from growing out of control.

The federal government and area farmers could help improve the quality of water flowing through area rivers and streams. 

Another summer of algae blooms in Lake Erie further points to the need for Conservationists and Agri-Business to work together. In this month's edition of WEMU's 1st Friday Focus on the Environment, you'll where that's happening in Michigan, and what more needs to be done.   

If you've spent anytime boating on Lake Erie over the last few summers, you may very well have been diverted by huge patches of algae blooms.

It would appear you'll have the same issue later this summer.

Scientists predict another large toxic bloom will appear on the western side of Lake Erie this summer. The blooms are caused by excessive amounts of phosphorus and other chemicals typically found in agricultural run-off.

Don Scavia is Director of the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan.