The first big blue-green algae bloom of 1987 has been discovered along the western side of Lake Okeechobee, water managers said Friday.
A small, preliminary water sample collected Thursday showed the presence of anabaena circinalis, the same species that dominated a 200-square-mile bloom in August.
The 1986 bloom killed apple snails and other invertabrate species and was considered a threat to fish and wildlife before it dissipated in September. The event underscored the dire health of the lake, which serves as a critical backup supply of freshwater for Broward and Palm Beach counties.
A South Florida Water Management District spokesman said district scientists were investigating the new bloom Friday and expected to have results of more extensive water tests by Monday.
Ron Bishop, a district spokesman, said investigators did not find the extensive green scum that appeared on the lake`s surface last summer. However, he said, there was a green tint to the water caused by the bloom in an area about 10 to 15 miles long and more than one mile wide.
``We don`t know at this point how intense the bloom is. It is there and we`ll know more by Monday,`` Bishop said.
The blue-green algae blooms occur in response to high concentrations of the nutrient phosphorus, which is the primary threat to the lake`s health.