Algae blooms and visibility

[TFC187]

Didn't know whether to post this question here or in the Marine Science section but here goes:

I am a new diver and was wondering how long do algae blooms typically last? Specifically, when diving in the quarries in the midwest, at what time in the calendar year can we expect to see the vis improve and the algae decline?

 

[Guba]

Algae blooms are dependent upon a lot of factors...temp of the water, species, volume of water source, availability of nutrients in the water, etc...

How long they will last also is dependent upon numerous factors. In my neck of the woods, once the late summer blooms start, they generally hold on until a major change in the ambient air temp (and thus, water temp). That means vis is bad until early fall. After that, there is a gradual clearing (and subsequent falling of water temps, too).
Some water sources, such as those fed by springs, will have blooms of shorter duration and will naturally clear much faster.

 

[drbill]

Day length is another major factor. Here in SoCal, we have a reasonable amount of light in winter (it never rains in southern California), but day length is short. Cold water contains much more nutrients than warm water (inflection point at about 68 F). Here in the ocean off Catalina phytoplankton may disappear when temperatures increase above above 68-70 F for prolonged periods despite the fact that day length is long.

 

[CaseyJr]

Guba, thanks for the info. We just came back from Clear Springs Scuba Park (Terrell, TX -- spring fed) where they were in the midst of an algae bloom. We estimated visibility at 10'-15' (the estimate is an estimate --we're new at this). We plan to return in another month, so maybe vis will be better.