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Weekly Water Quality Report

Florida Oceanographic Society 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.

Part 1: Florida Oceanographic Society's Water Quality Report

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 a “C+” based on water clarity, oxygen content, and salinity values in 27 reports across 9 zones.

Discharges from Lake Okeechobee had a weekly average flow of 864 cfs (current Lake Okeechobee daily status, see Table 2). Weekly mean inflow into the St. Lucie Estuary was 1,445 cfs (see Figure 5). Salinities across the SLE and IRL were poor – good across all zones. Figure 4 shows how these salinities affect oyster habitat health in the IRL.

Water clarity (visibility) was graded as poor – good for seagrass health across all zones within the SLE and IRL. Throughout the SLE and IRL, dissolved oxygen levels were good at all sites.

Disclaimer: 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.

Part 2: Summary of Water Quality Updates Obtained from Publicly Available Sources

Table 1.  All results were within acceptable levels for enterococcus bacteria. Click for current Martin County and St. Lucie County reports.

FDEP Blue-Green Algal Blooms Report

From the week of December 20, 2024 – January 9, 2024, FDEP reported algal bloom conditions in 12 of 28 samples collected. “Satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 1/9 shows sparsely scattered low to moderate bloom potential near the shoreline in the northwest, west and southern shores of the lake. Satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 1/9 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential.”

SFWMD Weekly Environmental Conditions Reports

Lake Okeechobee: SFWMD reported on January 15th, 2025, “Lake Okeechobee stage was 13.45 feet NAVD88 (14.76 ft NGVD29) on January 12, 2025, which was 0.22 feet lower than the previous week, 0.67 feet lower than a month ago, and is the lowest lake level in January since 2020. Average daily inflows (excluding rainfall) were similar to the previous week, at 1,310 cfs compared to 1,340 cfs. Average daily outflows (excluding evapotranspiration) increased from 4,350 cfs the previous week to 5,810 cfs. The most recent non-obscured satellite image from January 12, 2025, suggests minimal bloom activity on Lake Okeechobee.”

St. Lucie Estuary: SFWMD reported that “total inflow to the St. Lucie Estuary averaged 1,445 cfs over the past week with most of the flow coming from the Tidal Basin. Mean salinities increased at all sites in the estuary over the past week. Salinity in the middle estuary was within optimal ranges for adult eastern oysters (10-25).”

Table 2. Weekly average inflows into the SLE. Data reproduced from the SFWMD Environmental Conditions Report.

Figure 5. Total weekly mean inflow into the St. Lucie Estuary compared with compared with FOS weekly water quality grade throughout 2024.

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). 

Water Quality Report compiled by

Florida Oceanographic Society
890 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34996
Website: FloridaOcean.org

Questions? Contact our Research Department: 
Email: nwinn@floridaocean.org
Office: 772-225-0505 ext. 114