PORT CLINTON, Ohio — With such a rainy spring this year, water levels along the Lake Erie coast are at record highs.
Algae experts have said that with the constant heavy rains, comes a higher potential for more nutrient runoff as well.
Gov. Mike DeWine visited Lake Erie for Fish Ohio Day Monday and saw first-hand how high the water level is in Port Clinton and Ottawa County.
DeWine said a healthy lake is a top priority for his administration, which is why they have employed their H2Ohio plan to help streamline the process of cleaning runoff into the lake utilizing newly created wetlands.
"We know that algae bloom is a problem, we certainly didn't see any out there today, but we know it's going to be coming. We didn't get this problem overnight and we're not going to get rid of it overnight, but we are really really focused on a long range plan," DeWine said.
The official 2019 Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast will be announced next week on July 11 at the Ohio State Stone Laboratory.