Variable clouds with snow showers. Low 22F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snowfall around one inch..
Variable clouds with snow showers. Low 22F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snowfall around one inch.
Updated: February 3, 2025 @ 4:32 pm
NonStop Local Anchor/Reporter
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is concerned about the rising temperatures of Lake Coeur d’Alene, which have increased over the past 30 years. This change could result in harmful algae blooms in certain areas of the lake.
Swimming in algae-infested waters poses dangers to both humans and pets. Craig Cooper from the DEQ emphasized the lake’s significance, saying, “I mean this lake – It’s the heartbeat of our region.”
The DEQ reports that air temperatures have risen by 2 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit over the past three decades, leading to a similar increase in water temperatures. Cooper explained, “As the air warms, the water warms.”
This warming trend is affecting the lake’s ecosystem. “The kinds of plankton, the kinds of fish we have will change in response to temperature,” Cooper stated. One of the primary concerns is the growth of blue-green algae, a bacteria that can cause rashes and be deadly for pets. Cooper advised, “The best thing to do is stay out of the water if you see a green algae scum.”
Rising water temperatures and decreasing oxygen levels also raise concerns about metal sediments in the lake. “The metals can come out of the sediments and get into the water,” Cooper noted. These sediments, a result of past mining activities, could impact the lake’s ecology. Cooper added, “The metals can come out of the sediments. They can get into the ecology. They can have an impact, and that’s something we want to mitigate and avoid.”
The potential for algae advisories remains uncertain. Cooper remarked, “That’s an incredibly difficult question to answer. It could happen soon, it could happen never. What I can say is that down at the southern end of the lake, where the waters are warmer, where it’s shallower, where it’s greener – they do see algae blooms down there.”
Cooper emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating, “We should always be concerned about keeping our water clean, we should be concerned about our ecology changing in ways that we’re not used to.”
Algae blooms can occur in any body of water, so the concern extends beyond Lake Coeur d’Alene. Residents are encouraged to report any algae sightings to the Idaho DEQ. By calling (866) 671-5385.
NonStop Local Anchor/Reporter
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