UPDATE @ 3:46 p.m.:
Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County said after a visual inspection of the algae along the Great Miami River that no further testing is warranted and the algae is not toxic at this time, according to a spokesman.
The health department will continue to monitor the conditions of the algae for any changes should they occur.
UPDATE @ 2:42 p.m.:
Public Heath - Dayton & Montgomery County said they plan to inspect algae growing on the side of the Great Miami River between the Stewart Street bridge and Interstate 75 sometime Friday, according to a spokesman.
During an initial visual inspection, Public Health will determine if any further testing is needed to determine if it is dangerous to the public, the spokesman said.
RELATED: Afternoon showers today, dry through the weekend
The Miami Conservancy District said they did their own independent sampling of a portion of the algae about 1000 feet downstream from the Stewart Street bridge and tested for one toxin, which showed up negative, according to Mike Ekberg, manager for water monitoring and analysis with the Miami Conservancy District.
“I only tested for one algal toxin and I did not identify the type of algae growing on the banks,” Ekberg said. “Therefore, I cannot say with 100 percent certainty that a harmful algal bloom is not occurring. However, a negative result for microcystins (one of the more common algal toxins) is a good sign.”
Ekberg said to his knowledge a harmful algae bloom has never been documented on the Great Miami River.
The algae bloom is the first to be reported to Public Health this year, the spokesman said.
INITIAL REPORT:
If you've driven or walked by the Great Miami River lately in Dayton, you may have noticed algae growing along the banks of the river.
WHIO-TV Chief Meteorologist Eric Elwell passed by the river on his way to work Wednesday and noticed the algae bloom between I-75 and the Stewart Street bridge.
Sky7 flew over the river and captured images of the algae which stretched from the shoreline on both sides of the river and was as wide as 2 to 3 feet in some areas into the river.
Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs contacted the Ohio EPA which stated told her that this was the first they heard of it and requested McCall submit a report. They were unable to tell Vrydaghs if the algae growing along the banks of the Great Miami River was toxic until testing could be done.
They did say that although most blooms are green algae and not harmful, there are some that are actually a type of cyanobacteria that have the ability to produce toxins – called harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Elwell said the algae growth is likely due to the recent lag in rainfall as the Miami Valley hasn't had significant rainfall in nearly ten days. The lack of rain has lowered the river stages around the Miami Valley and has also slowed down the river flow.
The slower flow, along with debris from grass clippings and other decaying material such as sticks and leaves could be a cause of the growth. It is also possible that chemicals such as fertilizers and other pollution may be to blame such as what commonly causes toxic algae to grow in Grand Lake St. Marys and Lake Erie.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says a toxic algae bloom is underway in the western basin of Lake Erie. At this time, it is unclear if the algae forming along the banks of the Great Miami River is the same type.
Officials do say if the algae becomes widespread enough, it can cause a widespread kill of underwater life such as fish. According to the Ohio EPA website, it is advised that people stay away from the algae blooms until its toxicity is determined or additional rainfall allows the algae to be washed away.
