A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ranger samples at Milford Lake, Kansas, during a harmful algal bloom event in the summer of 2021. (USACE photo by Kansas City District)

WASHINGTON - The rapid bloom of tiny freshwater microorganisms, called cyanobacteria, sometimes releases toxins that are harmful to aquatic life and can contaminate drinking water. These harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a significant threat to public health and safety, ecosystems, freshwater resources and recreation. They also cause about $82 million in economic losses to the seafood, restaurant and tourism industries each year.