The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's annual forecast predicts the toxic algae bloom on Lake Erie will be smaller this summer than last.
It predicts the algae bloom will reach 4.5 on the severity index, down from 7.3 last year . The measurements indicate the amount of algae in the water for an extended period. Scientists say there was less spring rainfall than a year ago, washing fewer fertilizers that feed algae into the lake and its tributaries.
