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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.

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 “B” based on water clarity, oxygen content, and salinity values in 34 reports across 10 zones.

Discharges from Lake Okeechobee increased to a 357 cfs constant schedule (current Lake Okeechobee daily status, see Table 2). Salinities across the SLE and IRL were poor – good across all zones. Figure 4 shows how these salinities affect seagrass and oyster habitat health in the IRL.

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.

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 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 January 20, 2023 – January 26, 2023, FDEP reported algal bloom conditions in 6 of 10 samples collected. “Satellite imagery from 1/25 shows scattered low bloom potential on Lake Okeechobee, predominantly along the western shoreline. The satellite imagery for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries from 1/25 shows no significant bloom potential in visible portions of those estuaries.”

SFWMD Weekly Environmental Conditions Reports

Lake Okeechobee: SFWMD reported on February 1, 2023 “Lake Okeechobee stage was 16.02 feet NGVD on January 29, 2023, which is 0.07 feet lower than the previous week and 0.34 feet lower than a month ago (Figure LO-1). Lake stage remained in the Intermediate sub-band and was 0.75 feet above the upper limit of the ecological envelope. This is the third year in a row Lake stages have exceeded 16.0 feet NGVD in the fall or winter season. According to NEXRAD, 0.34 inches of rain fell directly on the Lake last week. Average daily inflows (excluding rainfall) were like the previous week. Average daily outflows (excluding evapotranspiration) increased from the previous week. The most recent satellite image (January 29, 2023) from NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring System showed low bloom potential across much of the pelagic region, but moderate bloom potential in scattered areas along the nearshore, especially in the western bay. The fourth wading bird survey of the season was conducted on January 26, 2023. Six flocks, with an estimated total of 2,790 birds were seen actively foraging on the Lake, which is less than a third of the five-year average. Water levels remain too high to provide suitable foraging habitat across much of the Lake.”

St. Lucie Estuary: SFWMD reported that “Total inflow to the St. Lucie Estuary averaged 520 cfs over the past week with 360 cfs coming from Lake Okeechobee. Mean salinities decreased at all sites over the past week. Salinity in the middle estuary was in the optimal range (10-25) for adult eastern oysters.”

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

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. You can also download their fish kill reporting app by clicking here. 

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!

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: dbecker@floridaocean.org
Office: 772-225-0505 ext. 112