Algae and Its Aftermath

The algae issues on our central Indiana waters just keeps getting worse. Here is the latest from FOWR as well as several news links following:

"An algae bloom in Hamilton and Marion counties, first reported on July 12 by members of Friends and others who live on the river or use it recreationally, is continuing to impact water quality. The free floating algae species first observed south of Noblesville has spread throughout Indianapolis, and is thought to be the reason as many as 1,000 dead fish have been reported since July 17.

The species initially impacted were a variety of suckers, with larger carp and catfish now showing up, especially in the section between the Broad Ripple dam and 30th Street. We asked representatives of state, county and city agencies responsible for monitoring the river’s water quality to meet July 29, and discuss the many unknowns surrounding the event. (See Algae are killing fish, but how is a mystery, The Indianapolis Star.)

The algae problem is expected to continue until a sustained rain event flushes the waterway. Its occurrence 10 years after a chemical discharge killed millions of fish between Anderson and Indianapolis again illustrates the role advocates for the waterway can play in sounding an alert. Our organization also continues to advocate for a reduction in non-point pollution, such as from fertilizer run-off, which can create conditions leading to algae blooms and otherwise degrade water quality.

Friends encourages those who observe conditions on the river that are out of the ordinary to call the state’s “Spills and Kills” line at 888-233-7745. Calls are answered 24/7 and automatically logged into an emergency response system that tracks their number and area of origin."

• Algae are killing fish, but how is a mystery
• Algae bloom apparent cause of fish kill
• Algae found at 2 central Indiana reservoirs
• Algae found in two local reservoirs
• State Reports High Levels of Blue-Green Algae at Morse and Geist Reservoirs
• White River fish kill was caused by algae bloom

Comments

[Josh McDermott]

We need a flushing so bad right now at least to elevate DO levels as Im sure thats whats killing the fish. The bloom is a nasty one, it still looks horrible and its not near what it was a few weeks back. Foamy, frothy brown shit all over the river.

On a positive the bass look healthier than expected and most are pretty chunky. BR has many less dead or dying fish than 30th St with just a few scattered here and there.

Hopefully it rains, and rains a ton.

[richard ziert]

Josh,

MAYBE YOU ARE ON TOP OF THIS ALLREADY AND IT IS WHAT YOU WERE IMPLYING.

I wonder what the natural flushing action of a river might have to do with this algae growth. In other words, rivers and streams usually flush/clean themselves over a course of a few miles – provided no additional crap is added along that stretch. I'm a thinking, without getting rid of the algae altogether, adding dissolved oxygen will only make the algae worse. But if the river system has a normal high rate of flow, none of this would be a problem. What if you were to propose to the powers that be to install strategically located pumps to artificially move the water? (Maybe these are in place already and not utilized to their full potential) Not being there or involved, I don’t know “the whole story” (could be political cutbacks going on), but such a plan would eliminate both the algae and increase dissolved oxygen. Paper plans seldom work as planned in the field. But at least it’s a start.

Take care.

Rich

[bmck25]

Hey Josh,

Could you type that I need a couple million dollars and a new boat? Seemed to work for the river.