Tampa Bay algae bloom status

Tampa Bay algae bloom history

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection sampled Tampa Bay 399 times between 2020 and 2022. Staff saw a bloom on 0 visits (0%).

The highest microcystin result recorded here was 9.5 µg/L, above the US EPA swimming advisory level of 8 µg/L. 1 sample was at or above that level.

Recent Tampa Bay algae reports

Recent reports came from 11 different locations around Tampa Bay, including Tampa Bay - Maximo Park, Tampa Bay - Piney 15 and Tampa Bay - Piney 13. A bloom in one cove or beach doesn't mean the whole lake is affected, and conditions can differ a short distance away.

What the Florida results mean

Florida records whether staff saw a bloom at each visit and, when a sample is tested, how much microcystin it contained.

Bloom seen

Staff saw a bloom at the sampling site, and no toxin was found or tested.

Toxin detected

Microcystin, a liver toxin made by blue-green algae, was found in the sample.

8 µg/L or more

At or above the level where the US EPA recommends swimming advisories.

Is Tampa Bay safe for dogs?

Dogs are at the greatest risk from toxic algae. They swallow water while swimming, eat scum on the shore and lick algae off their fur afterwards, and a small amount can kill a dog within hours.

• Keep your dog on a lead near water that looks green, scummy, foamy or discoloured, and away from algae washed up on the shore.
• If your dog gets in, rinse it straight away with clean water and don't let it lick its coat.
• Call a vet immediately if your dog vomits, drools, has diarrhoea, staggers, shakes or seems weak after being near the water.

Health effects of toxic algae

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can produce toxins that affect the liver, nervous system and skin. Swallowing water during a bloom can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin contact can cause rashes, and breathing spray from the water can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Children are at higher risk because they are smaller and more likely to swallow water.

How to spot a bloom

Toxic blooms can look like pea soup, spilled paint or green streaks on the surface, and they can also be blue, brown, white or red. Scum often collects along the shore downwind. If you can't see your feet in knee-deep water, or you aren't sure, stay out.

Don't drink untreated lake water, and don't boil it to make it safe: boiling doesn't destroy algal toxins. If you feel unwell after contact with the water, contact a doctor or Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222.

Nearby lakes with algae reports

• Manatee River13 km away, 11 reports, last in 2022
• Braden River15 km away, 2 reports, last in 2020
• Pasadena Lake22 km away, 5 reports, last in 2022
• Harbor Isle24 km away, 48 reports, last in 2022
• Harbor Isles24 km away, 11 reports, last in 2020

All Manatee County lakes with algae reports

Questions about Tampa Bay

Is there algae in Tampa Bay right now?

Florida's most recent sample from Tampa Bay, on 18 August 2022 at Tampa Bay - Maximo Park, found no visible bloom and no microcystin toxin was detected. Florida publishes its data in yearly batches, so for today's conditions check the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard and the signs at the shore.

When was the last algae bloom at Tampa Bay?

The most recent entry in Florida's data is from 18 August 2022 at Tampa Bay - Maximo Park: a sample with no bloom seen.

Has Tampa Bay had toxic algae before?

Reports for Tampa Bay come from 2020 only.

Can dogs swim in Tampa Bay?

Keep dogs out of the water whenever a bloom is reported or the water looks green, scummy or discoloured. Dogs are the animals most often killed by algal toxins because they swallow water and lick their fur. If your dog swims in water that might have algae, rinse it with clean water and call a vet if it vomits, drools, staggers or seems weak.

Can you eat fish caught in Tampa Bay during a bloom?

If you keep fish caught during a bloom, health agencies advise removing the guts and liver and rinsing the fillets in clean water before cooking, because toxins collect most in the organs. Some agencies advise not eating fish from an active bloom at all, so follow local guidance.