If you’ve spent any time around Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, or Lake Wylie in recent summers, you might’ve noticed thick, dark, musty-smelling mats floating near the shore. That fuzzy stuff? It’s not harmless lake gunk—it’s a type of algae called Lyngbya, and it’s been quietly spreading across southern reservoirs, turning once-clear waters into mucky messes.
But there’s good news on the horizon.
Starting this month and continuing through September, a coordinated effort is underway to treat Lyngbya in all three lakes. This initiative is led by the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group, with help from county governments, marine commissions, North Carolina State University, and Duke Energy. The result? A much more streamlined and effective plan to tackle this invasive algae head-on.
What Exactly Is Lyngbya?
Lyngbya (recently reclassified as Microseria wollei) is a type of cyanobacteria—often called blue-green algae—that thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water. Unlike some seasonal algae, Lyngbya doesn’t go away when summer ends. It lives year-round on the lake bottom, then floats to the surface as water temperatures rise, forming dense mats that can clog boat motors, reduce water quality, and frankly, make lakes less enjoyable for everyone.
To give you a sense of how aggressive it can be: in 2024, Lake Gaston on the NC/VA border reported over 1,000 acres of Lyngbya infestation.
What’s Being Done?
For the 2025 season, treatment will cover 60 acres total across the three lakes:
- 25 acres in Lake Norman
- 25 acres in Mountain Island Lake
- 10 acres in Lake Wylie
Monthly treatments will be handled by Aqua Services, Inc., using EPA-approved copper-based algaecides distributed by SePRO Corporation. If you live near the water, expect to see airboats cruising the shoreline mid-month, releasing a bright blue liquid into the water. That’s the algaecide at work—it may look dramatic, but it’s safe for fishing, swimming, and watering your plants.
Will It Work?
The short answer: yes, but it will take time.
Because Lyngbya is tough to kill and can look alive even when it’s not, results won’t be obvious overnight. You might see fewer surface mats this summer, but the real payoff will come after several treatment seasons. This approach mirrors the successful program at Lake Gaston, which is already seeing noticeable reductions in Lyngbya after multiple years of consistent treatment.
What Can You Do?
If you’re a lakefront property owner or just someone who loves spending weekends on the water, stay informed! You can report problem areas or learn more about aquatic vegetation management by emailing AquaticPlants@duke-energy.com or visiting duke-energy.com/AquaticPlants.
Bottom line: Lyngbya might be stubborn, but so are we. With consistent treatment and community awareness, our lakes can stay clean, healthy, and a joy to explore for years to come.
Got questions or curious about what you’re seeing in the water? Drop them in the comments—we’ll help you make sense of the science.
Additional Information: