Grand Lake Microcystin Levels Drop Below Historical Average After Early Spring Spike

The Lake Improvement Association is reporting encouraging movement in the latest microcystin readings from Grand Lake St. Marys.

According to data, graph and analysis courtesy of Dr. Stephen Jacquemin of Wright State University Lake Campus, microcystin levels have dropped back below historical averages for this time of year following an early spring spike.

While that trend is encouraging, the Lake Improvement Association says readings are still above both the World Health Organization and Ohio Department of Natural Resources advisory thresholds.

The data also shows that the lake’s seasonal pattern appears to be running about two weeks ahead of normal this year. The Lake Improvement Association says that is likely connected to algal biomass not dropping as low as usual during the winter, leaving a larger algae population in the lake as spring arrived.

Monitoring will continue through the summer.

The Lake Improvement Association says the current trend is encouraging, and officials are hopeful levels remain below historical averages as the season continues.

Microcystin levels can be monitored at lakeimprovement.com.