More news on the agea plume

John LMBZ06 · Post by **John LMBZ06** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:48 am

There is another story in the Virin Islands Daily News
dated May 9th about the algea plume. It is an interesting read. You can read about it at: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/

They are saying it is starting to break-up a little bit. Can anybody on island tell us what they are seeing? I will be on island in just over two weeks and am bringing some newbies with me to dive. I was really hoping for some clear water. I have been bragging about it to them for years now.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:56 am

John - When we were there week before last, the algae made for yucky snorkeling, but we noticed it breaking up by the beginning of last week. The water around the islands was starting to look turquoise again at the edges, so even though I haven't read the article you posted yet, I think you'll have good snorkeling in a couple of weeks... as long as there isn't more algae coming.

Here's a picture I took at The Caves, but I didn't get too many others, and this one took some work to make it look good.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:00 am

A trip report detailing recent dives in nearby Virgin Gorda and linking to many photos here:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/ ... ost1004664

Seems like it may depend where you are and where your dive operator takes you, but one would think it should continue to improve.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:21 am

FYI...a new but similar concern

from http://stj.onepaper.com/ May 9, 2009:

Alert: DPNR Advises Public to Refrain from Using Storm-Water-Impacted Areas
by Source staff

May 9, 2009 - The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has announced that as a result of the recent rains throughout the territory, the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) anticipates negative environmental impacts caused by storm-water runoff.
DPNR advises the public to refrain from using the waters throughout the territory until these effects subside. It is also advising parents to instruct their children to keep away from storm-water-impacted beaches as well as areas with manholes and storm-water flooding. There may be an elevated health risk to anyone swimming in storm-water-impacted areas as a result of increased concentrations of bacteria.
All persons should also be aware that storm-water runoff may contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health; therefore, all persons should avoid areas of storm-water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles and drainage basins). DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.
For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 on St. Croix or 774-3320 on St. Thomas.

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Mon May 11, 2009 12:05 pm

I wonder if all that crap on the beach and in the water in the St. John Spice Cam is algae related?

teefal · Post by **teefal** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:11 pm

Any word on which beaches are "storm water runoff areas"? In other words, should we keep out of the water any place?

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:18 pm

teefal wrote:Any word on which beaches are "storm water runoff areas"? In other words, should we keep out of the water any place?

try:

http://dpnr.gov.vi/notices/Mayl_8_2009_ ... visory.htm

& scroll down

teefal · Post by **teefal** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:24 pm

How on earth can "Oppenheimer" beach be effected and "public hawksnest" and "caneel hawksnest" not be affected?

teefal · Post by **teefal** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:27 pm

And for that matter "private hawksnest", which i'm assuming is gibney.

My sister used to live on Presque Isle on Lake Erie. They would have alerts for beaches 12 and 14 sometimes, and I'd always think "And who would go to beach 13" (in between).

teefal · Post by **teefal** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:57 pm

Ah, my mistake ... those are just the monitoring stations... no word on which are affected.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:14 pm

teefal - I still haven't read the article, but I can tell you the algae was affecting the entire region. We saw it from STT to STJ to Virgin Gorda and back to Jost Van Dyke. But like I said earlier, it was breaking up the beginning of last week.

nancyr84 · Post by **nancyr84** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:09 pm

Snorkled today at Salamon and it was gorgeous. Trunk yesterday was great. Maho visibility not so good did not think it was due to algae.
Nancy

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