Blue-green Algae - March 2010
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a common seasonal occurrence in Victoria and a natural component of most aquatic systems, including streams, lakes, estuaries and the sea. Many factors trigger blue-green algae blooms including nutrient loads, low inflows, low storage volumes and higher than normal temperatures.
Blue-green algae blooms are monitored regularly by water corporations and local waterway managers. When sampling and testing have confirmed the existence of blue-green algae, appropriate action is taken based on the use of the water body and the density and nature of the bloom.
The table below is a summary report of significant blooms that have occurred across the state in March. The trend is taken from the last sample report sent to Department of Sustainability and Environment during the month and the action is a summary of what has occurred. For more up to date information on a bloom, refer to the relevant Water Corporation's website.
| Drainage Basin | Location | Use | Trend | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barwon | Painkalac Reservoir | Drinking | ↔ | Regular Monitoring and water treatment. |
| Broken | Boosey Creek | Irigation, Recreation | ↑ | Warning signs errected. |
| Campaspe | Spring Gully Reservoir | Irrigation | ↓ | Stakeholders notified |
| Corangamite | Lake Cobden | Recreation | ↔ | Warning signs erected. Media release issued. |
| Glenelg | Lake Hamilton | Recreation | ↑ | Warning signs erected. Regular Monitoring. Notice in local media. |
| Goulburn | Reedy Swamp | Recreation | ↔ | Warning signs errected. Media release issued. |
| Hopkins | Merri River | Recreation | ↓ | Warning signs erected. Regular Monitoring. Notice in local media. |
| Latrobe | Lake Narracan | Drinking, Recreation, Irrigation, Stock & Domestic. | ↑ | Routine Monitoring. Stakeholders notified. |
| Loddon | Tullaroop Reservoir | Recreation, Irrigation, Stock & Domestic | ↑ | Media release issued. Stakeholders notified. |
| Loddon | Evansford Reservoir | Drinking | ↑ | Water storage taken offline. Regular sampling. |
| Mallee | Hattah Lakes | Recreation | ↓ | Warning signs erected. Regular monitoring. |
| Murray | Murray River - Lake Hume to Yelta | Drinking, Recreation, Irrigation, Stock & Domestic | ↓ | Media releases. Regular sampling. Warning signs erected. All relevant agencies and public notified. |
| Murray | Murray Valley Irrigation Area Channels | Recreation, Irrigation and Stock & Domestic | ↑ | Media release issued. Stakeholders notified. |
| Ovens | Diddah Diddah Reservoir | Drinking | ↔ | Reservoir not in use. |
| South Gippsland | Lance Creek Reservoir | Drinking | ↑ | Regular monitoring and water treatment. |
| Yarra | Heritage Golf and Country Club | Recreation, Irrigation | Warning signs erected at affected lakes. Regular monitoring. | |
| Yarra | Royal Botanic Gardens - Ornamental Lakes | Recreation | ↑ | Warning signs erected. Users notified. |
| Yarra | Yean Yan Reservoir | Drinking | ↔ | Reservoir not in use. |
↔ = no change
↓ = blue-green algal cell counts and/or biovolumes decreasing
↑ = blue-green algal cell counts and/or biovolumes increasing