It's green and rather slimy and it stinks. A new "algae bloom" is discouraging many people who usethe Shenandoah River for recreation.

"It looks the worst I have ever seen it," said Clarke County resident Bud Nagelvoort, who lives on the banks of the Shenandoah near Watermelon Park.

Algae - aquatic plants familiar to most people as the green scum on the surface of ponds - can proliferate quickly, given the proper conditions.

"In October, last year, we had an algae bloom," Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble said. The problem then was the death of many native grasses, which gave the algae the nutrients needed for a growth spurt.

"Within a couple of days, there were these huge filaments of algae" covering the surface of the river "like a bright-green carpet," he said. "Everything in the river had this film."

A wet winter and high water levels helped to clear out the algal mess.

But the recent near-drought conditions in the area, coupled with high heat, have apparently brought the algae back.

"It's floating on the surface in chunks," said Kelble, whose job with the non-profit Riverkeepers organization is to keep watch on the Shenandoah. He reports any problems the stream is experiencing, and tries to find help for them.

The algae bloom is spotty, more evident in some places than others. Kelble said it shows a deep forest-green top and a tan underside.

And a very unpleasant odor.

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