After Toledo water ban, experts say Lake Michigan not as prone to toxic algae

Lake Michigan satellite image (Credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC)

After a toxic algae bloom in Lake Erie made water undrinkable in Toledo, water quality experts say Lake Michigan isn’t as prone to toxic algal blooms, according to the Chicago Tribune. They point to a host of factors in making the call.

More shallow waters in Lake Erie make it more susceptible to the blooms, as well as higher water temperatures. The shallow Erie is also highly impacted by farm drainage.

Lake Michigan is much deeper, helping to keep its water temperatures cooler. It has to deal with much less farm drainage, carrying nutrients like phosphorus and other fertilizer components, than Lake Erie.

Image: Lake Michigan satellite image (Credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC)