Weather
Lake Erie Alert: Toxic Algal Bloom Remains in Western Waters
Monroe, MI – A harmful cyanobacteria bloom remains present in western Lake Erie this week, with researchers warning that toxins have been detected above the recreational limit in portions of the lake.
By Cole Barrett · 2026-10-07T19:11:01.670Z
Monroe, MI – A harmful cyanobacteria bloom remains present in western Lake Erie this week, with researchers warning that toxins have been detected above the recreational limit in portions of the lake.
According to an update from the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, in partnership with NOAA Great Lakes researchers, cloud cover and winds above 9 mph have recently prevented scientists from determining the bloom's full current area.
Satellite imagery from Monday showed a band of relatively low to medium cyanobacteria concentrations stretching from near Monroe, Michigan, eastward toward Leamington, Ontario.
Researchers said patches of the bloom may also remain near the Michigan and Ohio shoreline, including around Maumee Bay. The affected region includes waters near the Toledo metropolitan area and communities along western Lake Erie.
Toxins associated with the bloom have been detected below the recreational limit in western Lake Erie overall, according to the update, but scientists cautioned that toxins can become highly concentrated in surface scums .
People should avoid contact with visible scum and keep pets out of affected water. Cyanobacteria blooms, commonly called harmful algal blooms, can produce toxins and create health risks for people and animals.
The latest satellite image included with the update showed cyanobacteria concentrations across portions of the western basin, though clouds obscured significant sections of the lake. Researchers use satellite imagery, sampling data and other observations to track the bloom's location and intensity.
Conditions can shift as winds and weather move or concentrate blooms. Residents, boaters and pet owners around western Lake Erie should check NOAA's latest harmful algal bloom forecasts and local advisories before entering affected water.