Depth-Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping at Lake Okeechobee, FL
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- W81EWF-26-SOI-0001
- Agency
-
Engineer Research and Development Center
US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $95,500
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center is seeking a non-federal partner to conduct comprehensive water quality research on harmful algal blooms (HABs) at Lake Okeechobee, Florida. The primary objectives include collecting extensive water quality data through surface water sampling and subsurface sensor measurements during bloom and non-bloom seasons, with the goal of understanding the environmental triggers of HAB formation. Researchers will be required to submit monthly field data, an annual report, and collaborate on a peer-reviewed publication, with evaluation criteria focusing on technical merits and potential relationship to Department of Defense missions. Eligible applicants are limited to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Key dates include a Statement of Interest submission deadline of February 13, 2026, and a full proposal application deadline of March 15, 2026 for invited participants.
The total award ceiling for this cooperative agreement is $95,500.00, with a one-year performance period. The government will provide up to 22 hydro lab sensors and accessory equipment to support the research. The project will involve several months of intensive data collection, including approximately 30 days before and after the bloom season, with comparative analysis planned between Lake Okeechobee and historical datasets from Clinton Lake in Lawrence, Kansas. Researchers will work closely with HAB ecology and monitoring experts to set up, deploy, and maintain research equipment. The place of performance will be primarily in and around Lake Okeechobee, Florida, with data collection and analysis conducted at the research facility.
Synopsis
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.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| W81EWF-26-SOI-0001_FOA.pdf |
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