2/11 UPDATE: Lake Alert for Lake Highland is now lifted.
UPDATED Information – Lake Highland is being closely monitored for the presence of microcystins (toxins) by the City and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) staff. On Thursday, January 7, 2021, the City of Orlando staff and DEP will be sampling Lake Highland again. The City’s tests will provide an update on the presence of microcystins. At this time, the Lake Alert remains in effect until the official results from the DEP show that Lake Formosa is deemed safe by state standards.
The City of Orlando has issued a Lake Alert for Lake Highland.
City staff has detected the presence of microcystins in the lake that were deemed to be at unsafe levels, according to state standards. As such, all water contact activities are to cease until further notice.
These conditions are caused to algae blooms which are the result of a number of factors, including warmer water, excessive nutrients from fertilizers and septic tanks, among others.
The Lake Alert will remain in place until the levels of toxins have dropped.
https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom