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Hello all!
We're heading down next week, and wondered about whether this "algae bloom/plume" situation is resolved? I haven't seen mention of it for a few weeks so I'm hoping that means it has not been bothering anyone (and won't bother us)!. If anyone has any info to share, it would be appreciated, particularly if there are particular beaches where it may still be present.
We'll be on St. John with a side trip to Jost.
Thanks very much in advance! Thanks too, for the general help provided by this forum - many great tips gotten here!
C-Cmom
All gone.
Cool. Thanks!
Has anyone heard if the algae has affected the coral? I read on internet they won't know for a while. Wouldn't that be tragic?
Really? I had a friend staying in STT last week, and he said Magens Bay still looked pretty green. Where are you located? Does it matter which side of the island you are on? I would assume that once it gets there, it takes a while for the swimming areas (like Magens Bay and Cinnamon and Trunk Bay on STJ) to clear out, b/c the water's so calm in those inlets. Just curious. Thanks.
I believe Magens' water is only exchanged once a year near the beginning of the year.
Cinnamon and Trunk would not be considered 'inlets' in any way - they are exposed to the North and get tremendous water flow.
Dntwt comment was in jest -- Magens does get some water flow but is much more protected and generally more placid than the N. shore STJ beaches.
There is very little if any of the algae plume evident anymore in both the BVI and USVI - pretty much normal conditions - depending on wind , current , ocean swell and bottom topography.
I'm pretty sure I don't know exit zero, and I'm certain s/he doesn't speak for me. My comment was not in jest. I read a 1979 EPA study that determined the rate at which water is exchanged in various bays around STT. The limited tidal range tends to limit water exchange in elongated bays like Magens and Vessup. Vessup Bay requires 27 tidal cycles for a complete exchange of water, and I believe that Magens doesn't fully exchange water but once a year, at the beginning of the year when it is windier and waves are most active.
I totally apologize -- I thought you were kidding. Sorry.
No problem! I too thought it odd and discussed it with someone from the Magens Bay Authority, and it appears that the bay is so well protected that very little water moves in/out until we have the Christmas winds.
Divers say all is clear! During the plume, visibility was close to non-existent! No problems now.
