Is Algae A Friend or Foe for the Lagoon?

This picture was sent by a prominent opponent  Andy Lyon 

"Here is your winter walkway! Full of algae already!"

Yes and there is algae in the main channel and algae on the north side of the PCH bridge and on up into the watershed. Its pretty common occurrence when the sun starts to heat up.

  

We are not sure why Andy has a problem with algae, but we are open to what ever information he would like to provide. Is it a visual problem? Algae in and of it self is not a bad thing unless it gets to levels that can use up too much oxygen, but circulation in the lagoon in general has been increased to counter balance that effect.Too many nitrates and phosphates can encourage rapid algae growth and Tapia partly to blame when they are discharging from Nov. 15th to April 15th. It can't be ruled out that Colony septics are still contributing to nitrates ( from human waste ) and phosphates ( from household cleansers ) entering the underground water table. There are also barnacles which is a benthic community organism that is growing on the underside of the ramp. This is another good sign the lagoon is healthier as it also been a place for fish to hide out from the bigger predator fish that lurk in the more open water. The water probes have had clusters of barnacles which were non-existent in the old channels. The Egrets don't mind the algae on the ramp, seem to like fishing there and eat the insects that gather on the algae. It will be interesting to see what happens when the lagoon breaches and the ramp is not submerged. I suppose the State will have to waterjet any algae off the ramp that does not get pulled out when the lagoon drains.