Alva homeowner alarmed as blue-green algae blankets river property

ALVA, Fla., (WINK) — Blue-green algae has appeared along the Caloosahatchee River, alarming a local resident concerned about her family's health.

Melissa Musselman walks down to the Caloosahatchee River almost every morning. Her six-and-a-half-acres are home to chickens, horses, and a beautiful view of the river. Musselman said it's her forever home. 

"We love it out here," Musselman said."It is absolutely paradise, it's real serene." 

That serenity was shattered when she looked down at the water Wednesday morning. Blue and green algae covered the Caloosahatchee just behind her home.

"I looked down, and it was immediate, and it was thick," Musselman said. "It looks like green marble."

Musselman said the algae extended halfway through the river. 

This comes just days after the Lee County Health Department issued a blue-green algae warning for the Caloosahatchee and Sebastian Canal. The algae thrives in warm water, sunny conditions and slow-moving water with excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

The algae was less than 50 feet from Musselman's water well. She's concerned the algae could seep into her water supply, threatening her health and the health of her animals.

"It's very concerning, very concerning," Musselman said.

Musselman says she came to the area to escape development. Now she's worried that she might have to pack up and leave once again.

"This was going to be our forever home and it's being encroached on," Musselman said.

WINK News collected a water sample to bring to Florida Gulf Coast University's Water School for testing.