South Florida - Friday May 17, 2024: The Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) provides a snapshot of local water quality conditions in the St. Lucie Estuary (SLE) and southern Indian River Lagoon (IRL) using data collected by our Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Program.
This report provides an overview of ecosystem health and function for the SLE and IRL and includes a summary of additional water quality conditions from publicly available sources.
The data is a record of changes in water quality parameters and is an indication of habitat health.
Summary of Weekly Water Quality for Habitat Health for Reporting Week
This week’s water quality grade for habitat health in the SLE and southern IRL earned an “B” based on water clarity, oxygen content, and salinity values in 32 reports across 9 zones.
Discharges from Lake Okeechobee stayed at a 0 cfs constant schedule (current Lake Okeechobee daily status. Salinities across the SLE and IRL were fair - good across all zones.
Water clarity (visibility) was graded as fair – good for seagrass health across all zones within the SLE and IRL. Throughout the SLE and IRL, dissolved oxygen levels were fair-good at all sites.
Florida Oceanographic Society's Weekly Water Quality Report for ecosystem health in the SLE and southern IRL.
Weekly water quality grades for the SLE and southern IRL for 2022 (blue line) and 2023 (red line)
Average weekly salinity upstream of the Roosevelt Bridge (Zones 1 – 4) and downstream of the Roosevelt Bridge (Zones 5 – 10)
Summary of Water Quality Updates Obtained from Publicly Available Sources
FDEP Blue-Green Algal Blooms Report
A message from FDEP’s website indicates that due to a severe weather event in Leon County, this week's sample results will be included in the next report on Friday, May 17, 2024. Below is the data accumulated from last week’s report:
From the week of April 26, 2024 – May 2, 2024, FDEP reported algal bloom conditions in 5 of 21 samples collected. “The satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 5/2 is only slightly obscured by cloud cover and shows low to moderate bloom potential on approximately 45% of the lake, mostly in the northern half of the lake. The satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 5/2 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no visible bloom potential.”
SFWMD Weekly Environmental Conditions Reports
Lake Okeechobee: SFWMD reported on May 15th, 2024, “Lake Okeechobee stage was 12.46 feet NAVD88 (13.77 ft NGVD29) on May 12, 2024, which was 0.30 feet lower than the previous week and 1.19 feet lower than a month ago. Average daily inflow (excluding rainfall) was 360 cfs, lower than the previous week’s flow of 600 cfs. Average daily outflows (excluding evapotranspiration) increased from 4,290 cfs the previous week to 5,310 cfs this week. The May 10th, 2024, NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring System suggested moderate to high cyanobacteria concentrations within much of the northeastern region of the Lake.”
St. Lucie Estuary: SFWMD reported that “total inflow to the St. Lucie Estuary averaged 70 cfs over the past week with all coming from the Tidal Basin. Mean surface salinities decreased at HR1 and increased at the remaining sites in the estuary over the past week. Salinity in the middle estuary was in the optimal range (10-25) for adult eastern oysters.”
Reporting Observations for the Indian River Lagoon
Algal Bloom Monitoring: To report potential blue-green algal blooms, contact FDEP through their online form here or call 800-636-0511.
Fish Kills Hotline: Please report observations of fish kills or diseased fish to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline through their online form here or call 800-636-0511.
IRL Otter Spotter Project: Have you seen a river otter?
Report it here!
IRL Diamondback Terrapin Sightings: Have you seen a diamondback terrapin?
Report it here!
Sawfish Sightings: Have you been lucky enough to spot a sawfish?
Report it here!
Dolphin Spotter: Have you seen a dolphin?
Report it here!
Horseshoe Crab Spotter: Have you seen horseshoe crabs?
Report it here!
Manatee Reporting: To report sick, injured, or dead manatees to FWC call 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
***The data found on this report is collected by citizen scientists who volunteer their time and effort for the FOS FLOWSS program. Although the data is screened, it comes with no warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy or reliability and is intended for educational and outreach use only. Learn more about the FOS Citizen Science Water Quality Monitoring Program.
For up to date information on bacteria levels, visit the Florida Health Beaches Program.
For up to date information on nutrients levels, visit ORCA Kilroy or HBOI LOBO.
For up to date information about algae blooms, visit the Florida DEP's algae bloom dashboard.