Harmful Algal Bloom

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) represent a significant and costly threat to our nation’s economy and natural resources, which includes particular impacts to USACE mission areas. HABs are most often caused by photosynthetic microbes called cyanobacteria, which are sometimes informally referred to as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are not considered an invasive species and does occur naturally in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. However, when the nutrient (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) levels in that ecosystem increases beyond the norm and is no longer in balance, in combination with warm temperatures, often leads to the excessive and rapid growth of the bacteria, creating a harmful algal bloom.

HABs impact ecosystems in a variety of ways, including the production and release of potent neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, cytotoxins, and gastrointestinal toxins, which directly impact human and wildlife, livestock, and pet health. Although some HABs do not produce toxins, all HABs degrade aquatic ecosystems by shading out submerged vegetation and disrupting aquatic food webs. Decay of HAB biomass can also cause prolonged decreases in dissolved oxygen (hypoxia), which can kill fish and harm benthic macroinvertebrate communities.

USACE has local and regional policies for HAB monitoring and reporting and the ERDC has R&D mandates to develop and test technologies to reduce HAB impacts. The following web pages provides relevant links to USACE direction, policies, and progress, as well as useful links from federal partners engaged in the reduction of HAB impacts.

USACE Policies

The following table is a representation of the current existing policy and guidance for each MSC regarding USACE staff roles and responsibilities in regard to HABs.
**If you know of a policy that is not included or that a listed policy is out of date, please contact Brianna.L.Treichler@usace.army.mil to help update this table.**

Date	Title	Description
Great Lakes and Ohio River Division
2/21/2023	MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDING GENERAL, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Invasive Species Policy	Update to Invasive Species Policy Guidance in fulfillment of Section 501 of WRDA 2020. Update to policy includes HABs within the USACE Invasive Species Program.
11/1/2020	LRC - Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan: USACE, Chicago District	Reference for harmful algal bloom response for rivers and reservoirs within USACE Chicago Districts area of responsibility. Specifies monitoring of HABs and associated toxins supports the ability to meet authorized purposes described in each project's WCM.
8/1/2012	LRH - MEMORANDUM: Hazardous Algal Bloom (HAB) Response Plan for Huntington District	Memo for coordination of HAB responses. Applies coordination with multiple Districts (LRP, LRL, LRN). Contains full response plan for LRH.
8/8/2023	LRL - Louisville District Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan, Revision 2	Reference for harmful algal bloom response within the Louisville District's area of responsibility. Specifies monitoring of HABs and associated toxins supports the responsibility to meet authorized purposes described in each project's WCM.
3/7/2023	LRN - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes & Ohio River Division - Nashville District, Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan	Reference for harmful algal bloom response within the Nashville District's area of responsibility. Specifies monitoring of HABs and associated toxins supports the responsibility to meet authorized purposes described in each project's WCM.
7/21/2012	LRP - Draft Harmful Algal Bloom Response Plan	Specifies parameters for BGA levels and responses according to World Health Organizations (WHO) published standards. Defines monitoring, sampling, analysis, and communication procedures. Provides key messaging and talking points.
Mississippi Valley Division
2/1/2020	MVP/MVR/MVS - Upper Missippi River Harmful Algal Bloom Response Resource Manual	Manual developed by the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association to provide information to assist states, and their federal/other partners in addressing HABs on the Upper Mississippi River. "This Manual was developed in consultation with the interagency UMR HAB Work Group, which was formed in early 2016 per the direction of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA) Board. The Manual is considered a working draft and is subject to further updates annually."
Northwestern Division
2024	NWP - Blue Green Algae in District Operating Project Waters-NWP	Update to the District BGA policy including attachments, responsibilities, procedures, and definitions. SOP clarifies roles and responsibility of relevant USACE offices regarding BGA and the recreating public, project purposes, existing water uses, and public health and safety. Living document.
South Atlantic Division
7/17/2023	SAJ - CESAJ-OD-S MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD: South Florida Operations (SFOO) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Harmful Algal Blooms	Memorandum supersedes the “SFOO Efforts Regarding Harmful Algal Blooms” Memo dated 18 August 2021 (attached) and is pursuant to WRDA 2022 SEC. 8141. This MFR is also in accordance with the “Corps Records Relating to Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Okeechobee, FL” Memo (attached). Background information on cyanobacteria and potential for toxin production. States "USACE is not responsible organization for water quality" regarding Lake Okeechobee. Defines mandate for required PPE wear by USACE employees per bloom index (chart).
South Pacific Division
10/1/2019	Division - CESPD-PDO, MEMORANDUM: Policy Guidance for Public Notification/Monitoring of Cyanobacteria	Gives background and hx of cyanobacteria and its impacts to Corps facilities. Defines roles/capabilities for testing and notifications regarding HABs.
5/16/2018	SPK - CESPK-CO-OR, POLICY MEMORANDUM 24: Public Notification for Cyanobacteria	Policy and procedures for public notification for cyanobacteria for all Civil Works Water Resource Projects where the Sacramento District has operations and maintenance responsibilities. Specifies responsibilities from field up to District Office levels for reporting of HAB and postings. Defines monitoring responsibilities of field staff. Notes that District is not to perform toxin tests and defines reasoning why policy was decided upon, with main focus to provide education and outreach.
5/10/2023	SPK - CESPK-OD, POLICY MEMORANDUM 20: Reporting Procedures	Policy and procedures for Operations Division for reporting incidents, mishaps, injuries, etc on Sacramento District projects with O&M responsibilities. No specific HABs information, just reporting procedures. Document signature indicates recent update in 2023.
12/16/2020	SPN - CESPN-DE, POLICY MEMORANDUM: Public Notification for Cyanobacteria	Policy and procedures in regard to cyanobacteria public notification for all Civil Works Water Resource Projects where the San Francisco District has operations and maintenance responsibilities. Defines requirements for reporting and notification of HABs. Policy states USACE staff are not to conduct toxin testing and focus is on public outreach and education of HAB risks.
Southwestern Division
7/21/11	SWT - Memorandum of Record - Corps District Blue-Green Algae (BGA) Issues	(Not A Policy) Response to BGA issues inquery in SWT, provides information of issues/advisories/closures in other Corps Districts during season, written by James L Harris - Environmental Biologist
3/27/2012	SWT - Tulsa District (SWT) Communications Plan, Blue-green algae warnings and advisories in Tulsa District Lakes	Specifies communication strategy for BGA blooms in Oklahoma and Texas. Deferral for communications in Kansas to KDHE.
5/22/12	SWT - BGA Background	(Not A Policy) SWT background document w/SWT experience & perspective as of 2011 rec season w/ other Corps Districts, written by James L Harris - Environmental Biologist
6/12/2012	SWT - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District, Blue-green Algae Response Procedures, 12 June 2012	(129 Pages) Specifies parameters for BGA levels and response according to WHO published standards. Contains Kanas Dept of Health (KDHE) BGA Response Plan, signage examples, press release examples, SWT SOP for Field Sampling (FEB 2000), SWT BGA Communications Plan

Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC) Resources

The USACE Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Research & Development Initiative supports development, demonstration, and delivery of scalable HAB prevention, detection, and management technologies intended to reduce the frequency and severity of HAB impacts to water resource development projects and freshwaters across the nation. The initiative website includes links to HAB tools and training methods (e.g., HAB Explorer), publications, project factsheets, program factsheets and more.

Reports

• Regional analysis of lake and reservoir water quality with multispectral satellite remote sensing
• Water quality: An Open-Source R Package for the Detection and Quantification of Cyano-bacterial Harmful Algal Blooms and Water Quality
• Harmful Algal Bloom Interception, Treatment, and Transformation System, "HABITATS": Pilot Research Study Phase I

USACE Outreach Information (Public Education Materials, Posters & Brochures, etc)

The following table is a representation of various outreach materials that have been produced by USACE MSCs.
**If you have outreach materials that you would like to share, please contact Brianna.L.Treichler@usace.army.mil to help update this table.**

Type	Title/Description	Details
Great Lakes and Ohio River Division
Poster	LRL - Harmful Algal Blooms - BE AWARE	Educational poster developed with USACE & Kentucky
Guidance/Report	LRN - Algal Bloom Notification Guidance, Identifying A Harmful Algal Bloom, USACE LRN Algal Bloom Reporting Form	Guidance for USACE LRN field staff for identifying and reporting Harmful Algal Blooms.
Report	LRN - Form USACE LRN Algal Bloom Reporting Form	Form for reporting harmful algal blooms.
Mississippi Valley Division
Pamphlet	MVR - Harmful Algal Blooms - What are they? What do I need to know?	Educational pamphlet about harmful algal blooms, potential health effects, and how to identify HABs. Also includes how the Corps is involved in HAB monitoring in Iowa.
Pamphlet	MVR - Harmful Algal Blooms - What are they? What do I need to know?	Educational pamphlet about harmful algal blooms, potential health effects, and how to identify HABs. Also includes how the Corps is involved in HAB monitoring in Illinois.
North Atlantic Division
Signage	NAE - Cyanobacteria Info Sign	Publisher File. Informational sign about cyanobacteria, bloom characteristics, and risks. Also, explains Advisory Status levels and what they mean for safety. Allows for posting of advisory levels.
Signage	NAE - Current Status Signs	Publisher File. Slat design for posting advisory levels in conjunction with information sign.
Field Example	NAE - Cyanobacteria Info Sign - In The Field Example Image	Example of sign and slats used in the field at a launch area.
Poster/Sign	NAP - Watch - Look Out for Harmful Algal Bloom	Educational poster regarding general education and awareness of HABs
Poster/Sign	NAP - Harmful Algal Bloom Advisory	Educational poster used to post for increased awareness and HAB condition level within reservoir.
Poster/Sign	NAP - Harmful Algal Bloom Warning	Educational poster used to post for increased awareness and HAB condition level within reservoir.
Southwestern Division
Poster	SWT - Blue-green Algae & Oklahoma Lakes: What YOU Need To Know	Educational poster defining what blue-green algae is, associated illnesses, health symptoms, pet safety, why you should be concerned.

Education & Webinars

• Harmful Algal Bloom indicator estimation in small inland waterbodies: The ArcGIS Pro water quality toolbox and HAB Explorer online web application, 10 Feb 2022
• HAB Explorer Web Application, 26 January 2022
• Power of ERDC Podcast – HABs, 30 July 2021
• Remote Sensing Training, 25 March 2021
• An Update of Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts to USACE Operations and Operation Control Measures to Address HAB Impacts, 11 April 2017
• Invasive Species Webinars

Other Resources, Plans, Education Materials

Other Federal Agencies

• US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms
  HARRNESS - Plan
• USEPA CyanoHAB Resources
  USEPA Toolkit
• CDC Harmful Algal Blooms and Your Health
  CDC HAB Communication Resources
  CDC Social Media Toolkit
• NOAA What Is A Harmful Algal Bloom?

State Resources

• Kansas Department of Health and Environment – Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)
• Ohio Department of Health – Harmful Algal Blooms
• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality – Blue Green Algae Information
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection – Harmful Algal Blooms

Educational Institutions

• University of Florida, IFAS Extension – Water Programs, Harmful Algal Blooms