A report on ways to minimize the impacts of harmful algal blooms in freshwaters across the United States presented by federal government agencies on Monday offers few solutions and relies heavily on future research to develop responses to the noxious and often toxic plants. 

This year's dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to be the largest on record and growing U.S. corn production is a primary cause of the worsening conditions, federal and state scientists said Tuesday.

Once known for its clear, blue waters, Grand Lake was turned green this summer by algae, prompting action by people distressed about the future of the state’s largest natural lake that is also a major conduit of water for the Front Range. In the summer, the algae levels were so high that a first-ever drinking-water ban was imposed.

Scientists acknowledge there are no simple solutions for a recent algae outbreak that is littering shorelines with stinky muck, and it may be responsible for die-offs of loons and other water birds.  `We've done a