Caloosahatche River Advisory - Harmful Algae

Advisory – Caloosahatchee River Exposure
LABELLE, FL. -- The Hendry & Glades County Health Departments have issued an advisory to warn people against exposing themselves, their pets or their livestock to the waters in the Caloosahatchee River.

This advisory applies to the river's freshwater segments from the Moore Haven Locks extending westward through LaBelle to the Lee County Line, as well as the river's tributaries because of possible sporadic but potentially harmful algae blooms.

If the river waters look greenish, off-color, smells different or if you see dead or distressed animals or marine life, local health officials are recommending not to fish in the waters, not to participate in recreation in the waters and do not to drink the water.

Algae may grow in lakes, canals and rivers throughout the region for the foreseeable future and tracking all of them is impractical.

The Army Corps of Engineers is planning "pulsed" releases of water from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee in the next few days with the intent to bring more fresh water into the river, to possibly alleviate the algae problem down stream.

Local health officials may upgrade this advisory to a health warning if toxic blooms are identified in public areas.