Volunteers help clean algae from Weeki Wachee
WEEKI WACHEE — Chuck Morton stepped into the water at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, pivoted and let himself fall backward.
“That’s the only way you get used to it,” Morton said of the water’s chilling temperature.
Volunteers clean up algae from the swimming areas at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
In moments, Morton, a member of the Friends of Weeki Wachee support group, grabbed a large, porous red bag and jammed his hand deep into thick algae at his feet.
The dark-green algae, called lyngbya, not only mars the springs’ natural beauty, it also covers other foliage in the water, preventing the plants from getting light and ultimately killing them.
Morton pulled up a fistful of lyngbya.
“It looks like a Brillo pad,” he said. “You could throw this stuff out on U.S. 19, drive over it for three or four months, put it back in the water and it’ll come right back to life.”
A couple of times a month, members of the Friends of Weeki Wachee, as well as the Brooksville and Spring Hill Central Rotary clubs and other volunteers, go to the park to remove algae from the swimming area and nearby river.
Last week, a group from Divers 4 Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rehabilitating wounded U.S. veterans through scuba diving, also helped remove algae.
After the algae is removed, it is dried and then spread to other areas of the park, where it is used as fertilizer.
A couple of dozen volunteers were in the 74-degree water Wednesday evening. Several people used rakes to peel the algae away from other plants.
Karen Van Sickle, of the Rotary Club of Brooksville, said her club and the Spring Hill Central Rotary club decided last year to help keep the springs clean.
“It’s important for tourism, but it’s also our water supply,” she said. “Some springs are all but collapsing.”
On Wednesday in Tallahassee, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission, made up of House and Senate members, agreed to use $25 million for a list of springs projects outlined by Gov. Rick Scott. None of that money is earmarked for Weeki Wachee, making the volunteer labor even more valuable.
The springs that will benefit from the money include Fanning, Levy Blue, Jackson Blue, Wakulla, Volusia Blue, Silver, Wekiva, Aripeka, Chassahowitzka and Crystal springs, and springs associated with Econfina and Holmes creeks, the Ichetucknee, Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers and Lake Panasoffkee.
In 2008, the Southwest Florida Water Management District removed algae from Weeki Wachee Springs and planted eel grass.
The district’s efforts were effective, but park workers have struggled more recently to keep out the algae.
Toby Brewer, park manager at Weeki Wachee Springs, was grateful for the volunteers’ help.
“We like to keep it healthy and clean and clear,” he said. “Our main attraction is the water. It’s great to have the community involvement.”
Information from Tampa Tribune’s wire stories was used in this report.
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