Algae Bloom?

tunedportcj5 · Newbie Joined: 05 Aug 2005 Posts: 8 City: Jacksonville

There is a health advisory here in Jacksonville (St. Johns River) where there are high levels of Algae Bloom. We don't ride IN the river, but we ride in some of the creeks connecting to it. We rode all last weekend and a few nights last week.... none of us are sick, I feel fine. What do you guys think?

Here is some info... http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=42333

I'm gonna tear it up tomorrow but I dont feel like getting sick!

Thanks!

Craig-R · Guest

sounds just like red tide, makes you cough and stuff. other than coughing i think you'll be ok

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

We usually have an algea bloom on our lake a couple times a summer, mostly due to fertilizer runoff and temperature. Ive ridding in green algea which is pretty harmless. Blue I know is poisionious to dogs and small animals who drink it. I have never purposely drank blue algea, but I think it would be something to avoid drnking.

Ive ridden in the blue stuff lots, fell and drank some accidentally, but didnt get sick or anything. I can attest to the algea hurting your eyes if it gets in there, but nothing too serious. If it becomes unbearable for me I just visine it out and problem solved. I think you can get away with riding in it no problem, just be careful not to drink it in large amounts, and have some visine or clean water on your boat to rinse out your eyes/skin if it starts to become irritated. I think the Florida Health Department is moreso trying to cover their own butt.