Bright green streaks of blue-green algae now stretch across the Caloosahatchee River. Weekend aerial photos show the river mottled with blooms, colorful on the surface, but a warning sign for the water below.
At first, the scene almost looks calm. But those green patches mean cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, have taken hold. This isn’t just a problem in quiet backwaters. The bloom has moved into the main river channel.
These blooms thrive when they get three things: warm water, plenty of sun, and nutrients. Every time runoff pours through the river basin, that perfect recipe comes together fast…