Duckweed on Lake Taneycomo

Environmental Officials have an explanation for the odors reported along an area waterway.

Information for the story below courtesy the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and ky3.com:

A growing concern among residents near Lake Taneycomo, close to Branson, is the foul stench that has started to permeate the air in the region. Many are now worried that this issue will only worsen as what they describe as a "green slime" takes over sections of the lake.
Joe Enno, a resident near the lake, expressed his concerns, saying, "The view is not looking too good, and the air is foul. It smells just like a hog lot." Enno, who lives near the Edge Water Beach resort, has witnessed the growth of this slimy substance over the past three years. He added, "It used to be beautiful, and you would see the eagles flying by, and now they can’t land on any of this."r

The root cause of this problem is now under scrutiny. The Director of the Environmental Services Program with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources explained, "We had teams go out and investigate, and the majority of what we have found is a massive growth of tiny plants called watermeal or duckweed."

The drought conditions in the area are believed to be a contributing factor to this issue. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) noted that this year, they received an increased number of reports regarding "possible algae" on Lake Taneycomo. "It’s due to drought conditions and that the lake is not getting fresh water moving through it as much as it usually would," stated the DNR.
However, the agency assures the public that the stench is a result of the plants dying off and poses no health concerns. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted tests and did not find any toxins in the water. Additionally, the blue-green algae counts are so low that no immediate action is deemed necessary.

As the "green slime" issue continues to affect Lake Taneycomo, residents and authorities will need to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the lake's ecosystem can eventually recover and return to its former state of beauty.