CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A research project on the Lake Winnebago system is designed to track harmful bacteria known as blue-green algae, but also gather information on ways to combat the situation.
On the surface of a Lake Winnebago lagoon in nearby Menasha, blue-green algae is growing.
“Blue-green algae is actually a misnomer. It’s blue-green bacteria. It’s cyanobacteria. It’s a bacteria that releases toxins that can cause harm to humans and animals,” said Shannon Davis-Foust, UW-Oshkosh Biology Environmental Studies Lecturer.
“These blooms can create sort of a blanket on top of the water, looking similar to pea soup,” said Keara Halliday, UW-Oshkosh Senior Student.
“We have just begun recently to see a lot of the harmful algal blooms on the surface, because the temperatures, and also the nutrient loading is a little bit greater at this time of year,” said Shawna Jackson, UW-Oshkosh Junior Student.
Using National Weather Service satellite imagery as a guide, the UW-Oshkosh researchers took to the waters on the northern shoreline Monday morning. The team checked water clarity, temperature and gathered samples to study.
“Harmful algal blooms are actually one of the least understood phenomena in the lake. And we also have very little data on exactly how harmful they are,” said Davis-Foust.
Researchers say the study is two-fold.
“We’re also interviewing people, taking some surveys and also trying to get the community to get involved in the social media aspect of our project,” said Halliday.
“We’re testing the public’s perception, and behaviors in relation to the presence, or lack thereof of harmful algal blooms on the Winnebago Lakes Pool System,” said Jackson.
The survey also features a way to submit photos of suspected blooms.
Researchers say they processed about 60 surveys in the last two months.
Researchers say they plan to gather samples for the rest of the summer.
Laboratory results could be presented in the form of community workshops.
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