Starting on November 30, 2023, a full lake herbicide treatment was initiated on Lake McCoy to control Hydrilla verticillata. A lethal concentration of herbicide (bispyribac) was maintained for approximately 230 days. The treatment was effective. No hydrilla was observed in the lake as of October 31, 2024.

Currently the herbicide concentration is equal to or less than 1 part per billion. All restrictions on irrigation or water usage are lifted. The full lake treatment is now complete.

Please contact our main office at 407-836-1400 or email lakes@ocfl.net with any questions.

November 20, 2024

ORLANDO — The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) cautions the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Rowena – W Shore on November 19, 2024. Water sample testing is underway. Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins. Since environmental conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution, even if presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• We do not recommend that you drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

The Environmental Protection Division will be performing an aquatic plant herbicide treatment on 11/26/2024.

This treatment is part of an ongoing effort to manage emergent and exotic vegetation in the lake.

WATER USE RESTRICTIONS: NONE.

Please direct any questions to the Environmental Protection Division at 407-836-1400.

November 19, 2024

ORLANDO — The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Butler – W Shore. The alert is in response to a water sample taken on November 14, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Butler - W Shore.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• We do not recommend that you drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

November 18, 2024

ORLANDO — The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) has lifted the health alert issued on June 18, 2024, for harmful blue-green algae toxins in Lake Minnehaha – E Dock. Follow-up water samples taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) did not detect algae toxins, indicating the public may resume water-related activities.

It is important that the public exercise caution as blue-green algae bloom status can change when conditions are favorable. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with the water if they see algae blooms.

The latest sampling results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together.

Starting November 22nd, 2024, Lake Weston will receive its fourth in-lake nutrient inactivation treatment to improve lake water quality. You will see a county contractor on the lake applying alum and monitoring the lake to ensure a safe and effective treatment.

Swimming, fishing and irrigation is not restricted during this application, however: We do ask you refrain from wave-generating boating activities while the contractor is on the water.

This application round should span 5 weeks and the contractor will be intermittently working during this period.

Please email EPDWaterSciences@ocfl.net with any questions

On a 752-acre parcel near Bithlo, towering pine trees and leafy shrubs rise above sprawling wetlands as several bird species hop gracefully from branch to branch.

Fortunately, the inhabitants of this property— including threatened gopher tortoises — do not have to worry about losing their homes. As part of its Green PLACE program, Orange County recently bought this land, preserving it for future generations.

Green PLACE, an award-winning initiative that preserves, enhances and restores environmentally sensitive lands, has acquired more than 1,700 acres across 19 properties since the beginning of this year. This includes the 752 acres near Bithlo — the largest single Green PLACE acquisition since the County Commission allocated $100 million in 2021 to expand the program.

“The Green PLACE program reflects our unwavering commitment to preserve the natural beauty of Orange County,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “This type of conservation is essential to protect our natural resources and provide our rapidly growing population with nature-based opportunities for outdoor recreation.”

The program has been lauded by environmental advocates, including leaders of the Nature Conservancy, a national nonprofit with the mission of protecting lands and waters.

“These properties provide a wide variety of essential ecosystem services to residents and visitors who enjoy nature-based recreational opportunities,” asserted Christianah Oyenuga, the nonprofit’s Sustainable Cities Manager.

As the population in the region continues to grow, Oyenuga believes it is vital for Orange County to provide a balance between the built environment and the natural environment through conservation efforts.

“We’re at a pivotal point in time where acquisitions and protection by the Green PLACE program must continue,” she explained. “We need to keep the momentum going by conserving ecosystems that strengthen climate and biodiversity resilience, and safeguard habitats for imperiled and iconic wildlife.”

Since the Green PLACE program started three decades ago, the County has bought 25,182 acres of land, many of which are now open to the public for activities such as hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.

In February, the program won a Regional Diamond Award from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council for its commitment to land conservation. Other notable Green PLACE transactions or approvals this year include 361 acres in west Orange County along the south shore of Lake Sheen and west shore of Pocket Lake; and 163 acres in Christmas just west of Orlando Wetlands Park.

Orange County is dedicated to environmental sustainability and conservation. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently voted unanimously to update its Wetland Conservation Areas Ordinance. These updates will strengthen protection of wetlands and surface waters; make permitting processes more streamlined, predictable and consistent for applicants; and ensure natural resource protections are balanced with property rights.

The County also enacted a new tree preservation ordinance in March that protects more trees during development activities, promotes tree species diversity and updates mitigation requirements.

To learn more about Green PLACE and the County’s conservation efforts, visit Natural Lands.

November 5, 2024

ORLANDO – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Bass Lake – Center. The alert is in response to a water sample taken on October 31, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Bass Lake – Center.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• We do not recommend that you drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations. After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP's Algal Bloom Dashboard.