The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is offering a funding opportunity titled "Depth-Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping at Lake Okeechobee, FL," aimed at conducting research and development on harmful algal blooms (HABs) through extensive environmental data collection. The initiative seeks to gather water quality data to understand the behavior of HABs, identify environmental triggers, and compare findings with historical datasets from Clinton Lake, Kansas. This research is crucial for improving lake management practices and public health advisories related to HABs. The total program funding is estimated at $95,500, with applications due by February 13, 2026, for statements of interest and by March 15, 2026, for full proposals. Interested applicants can contact Kisha M. Craig at kisha.m.craig@usace.army.mil for further information.

W81EWF-26-SOI-0001_FOA.pdf

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) issued an initial announcement for a funding opportunity titled "Depth-Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping at Lake Okeechobee, FL." This initiative seeks applications for a lake assessment effort to conduct R&D on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Okeechobee through environmental data collection via sensors and surface water sample analysis. The project aims to understand HAB behavior, identify environmental triggers, and compare new data with historical datasets from Clinton Lake, KS. The estimated award ceiling and total program funding are $95,500. The announcement outlines a two-phase application process, with statements of interest due by February 13, 2026, and full proposals (by invitation) due by March 15, 2026. This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). The public will benefit from improved understanding of HAB causes, assisting lake managers in issuing timely advisories and reducing public health risks.

 Effective management of HABs requires extensive, long-term water quality monitoring capable of capturing the complex conditions that lead to bloom formation. Because HAB events are highly unpredictable, it is essential to collect a wide array of water quality parameters across both bloom and non-bloom seasons to identify the intricate combination of environmental triggers involved. In Lake Okeechobee, this need is especially important due to its relatively shallow depth, which creates unique thermal and ecological dynamics that differ substantially from those observed in deeper lakes. These site-specific differences may influence bloom frequency, intensity, and duration, making detailed, sustained monitoring a critical step toward understanding HAB behavior in this system. To address this need, the proposed work will involve several months of intensive water quality data collection in and/or near Lake Okeechobee, extending through the bloom season and including approximately 30 days before and after to capture rapid seasonal transitions. Surface water sampling and subsurface sensor measurements will be supported by HAB ecology and monitoring experts, who will also assist with equipment setup, deployment, and routine maintenance. The newly collected data from Lake Okeechobee will be compared to historical datasets from Clinton Lake in Lawrence, KS, enabling a comparative analysis of HAB triggers across two distinct lake environments. This comparison is expected to provide valuable insights into the site-specific behavior of HABs in Lake Okeechobee and contribute to a broader understanding of bloom dynamics. Ultimately, the objective is to generate the critical information needed to elucidate the environmental drivers of HAB formation in Lake Okeechobee.

Kisha Craig &lt;br/&gt;Contract Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 6016345397

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