Algae bloom stinks up Caloosahatchee River near W.P. Franklin Lock

ALVA, Fla. (WINK) — Concerns are growing along the Caloosahatchee River as visitors at W.P. Franklin Lock report a possible algae bloom, a strong odor, and noticeable changes in the water.

Diana Whatley, a park visitor, was at the lock to observe Purple Martins when she encountered the concerning conditions. She said she comes to the area almost every year to see the birds.

"In that box, if you look real careful, there's like little beaks sticking out," Whatley said.

Her planned day of birding took an unexpected turn. "I will be keeping well away from the water's edge, that's for sure," Whatley said. "Definitely had not anticipated this."

The water glowed a greenish color. "It's pretty nasty," Whatley said. "It's rotten, slightly sewer-ish. I have never seen algae that literally kind of soap sud blue before."

WINK News reporter Bridget Bruchalski visited the park to speak with visitors about what they were seeing and smelling. Just up the Caloosahatchee near the Sebastian Canal, a health warning was issued earlier this month for blue-green algae. Bruchalski sent photos of what was observed at W.P. Franklin Lock to the Florida Department of Health, requesting water testing and confirmation.

"I would hate to be wildlife trying to live amongst that. That's just nasty," Whatley said. "It's actually gotten to where it's kind of too crispy on the top a bit."

Dead fish were rotting along the riverbank. "I wouldn't want to be a fish. I wouldn't want to be a frog, because that's really concentrated toxin," Whatley said.

Whatley expressed concern for people venturing onto the water. "The kayakers, bless them, they're braver than I am," Whatley said. "Do not swim in this mess, do not drink this mess, do not get this mess in your eyes."

As for her day of birding, Whatley summed up the experience simply. "Yuck, that's just kind of yuck," Whatley said.