August 4, 2022 – UPDATED INFORMATION:

On July 28, 2022, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) tested water samples from Lake Ivanhoe and determined that potentially unsafe concentrations of toxins are present in the lake due to an algae bloom. As a precaution, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is advising everyone to refrain from swimming and recreating in Lake Ivanhoe until further notice.

Algae is always present in water, however, not all algae produce toxins. Algae blooms are most common in Florida during the summer and early fall, due to high temperatures and sunlight.

The official toxin determination is obtained from FDEP's data, and until the levels are deemed safe by state standards, the Lake Alert will remain in effect as per FDOH. Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms by visiting ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.

To report a bloom to FDEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.

Prior notices follow:

July 19, 2022 – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has lifted the Health Alert for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Ivanhoe. This is in response to a site visit and water samples taken from the site.

The public may resume normal activities in and around Lake Ivanhoe. Because of the fluid and organic nature of algal blooms it is possible that bloom conditions could return so the public is advised to watch for and report future algae blooms on Lake Ivanhoe.

June 14, 2022

UPDATED Information- A Lake Alert for Lake Ivanhoe was issued on April 27, 2022, due to a potentially unsafe concentration of toxins present in the lake. City of Orlando Stormwater staff have been continuously working with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) since the Lake Alert was issued. This message is to provide an update on the status of the lake.

The results from the latest sampling event performed by FDEP staff on May 26, 2022, which can be found here: floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom, indicate there are still potentially unsafe concentrations of toxins present in the lake at this time. Lake Ivanhoe will continue to be closely monitored by City of Orlando and FDEP staff. Lake Ivanhoe was sampled again by FDEP on June 13, 2022, and, once we receive the results, the City of Orlando will provide another update. At this time, the Lake Alert remains in effect until further notice.

Please continue to call the Lake Alert number, 407.246.2220, for the most up-to-date information regarding your lake. During weekdays, the City's Lake Alert website, orlando.gov/lakealert will also have the latest information.

On April 27, 2022, the City of Orlando stormwater staff tested water samples from Lake Ivanhoe and determined that potentially unsafe concentrations of toxins are present in the lake. As a precaution, we are advising everyone to refrain from swimming, recreating and irrigating in/from Lake Ivanhoe until further notice.

For reference, cyanobacteria/blue-green algae are always present in the water, however, not all bacteria have the ability to produce toxins. Toxicity is hard to predict because a single species of algae can have toxic and non-toxic strains. Nothing can be done to treat algae blooms without causing massive fish kills. Due to this, the city will work closely with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to closely monitor Lake Ivanhoe. The city staff will continue to routinely test the lake, but the city's tests will only provide an update on the presence of toxins. The official toxin determination is obtained from FDEP's laboratory data, and until the levels are deemed safe by state standards, the Lake Alert will remain in effect.

Please encourage your neighbors to register for the Lake Alert at orlando.gov/lakealert so they too will get important information about Lake Ivanhoe directly.

In the meantime, as we stated above, the city would advise refraining from swimming, recreating and irrigating in/from the lake until further notice.