Lake Jesup Innovative Algae Harvesting Pilot Project Celebration Dec. 17

PALATKA – The St. Johns River Water Management District will host a celebration of the Lake Jesup Innovative Algae Harvesting Pilot Project on Dec. 17 to showcase the project’s ability to harvest and remove algae, suspended solids and associated nutrients from Lake Jesup’s waters.

In this latest project, a harvesting unit mounted on a barge is being transported around Lake Jesup so that algae can be harvested at various locations.

WHAT: Lake Jesup Pilot Project Celebration and Boat Tour WHERE: 2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo, FL 32765 (Signs will direct visitors to the parking area) WHEN: 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 HOW: RSVP by email to dmelcolm@sjrwmd.com prior to Friday, Dec. 3.

The pilot project received a $1.65 million Harmful Algal Bloom Innovate Technology Project Grant through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and began operation in early August. A harvesting unit is mounted on a barge and transported around Lake Jesup so that algae can be harvested at various locations. An innovative dissolved air flotation technology is used to attach microscopic air bubbles to algae and suspended sediment, allowing efficient separation of algal biomass and clarified water. Clarified water returns to the lake while algal biomass is managed/treated at Seminole County’s Yankee Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Learn more about our ongoing work to benefit Lake Jesup at www.sjrwmd.com/projects/#lake-jesup.