California's Clear Lake Turns Green With Algae, Visible From Space, Says NASA

Clear Lake, a popular hub for fishing, water sports, and recreation, stretches over 68 square miles in Northern California.

California's largest freshwater lake has become a vibrant emerald due to a massive algae bloom. The bloom's intensity is so extreme that NASA captured it in satellite images taken in mid-May.

The culprit behind the vibrant hue could be cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, along with other types of phytoplankton. Clear Lake, a popular hub for fishing, water sports, and recreation (nicknamed the "bass capital of the west"), stretches over 68 square miles in Northern California, roughly 100 miles north of San Francisco.

Local public health officials have warned visitors, urging them to be aware of the algae blooms. This includes keeping pets away from the water and avoiding areas that appear discoloured, have surface scum, or emit a foul odour, as reported by the Press Democrat newspaper.