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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.

Please be advised:

Over the last week, Florida Oceanographic Society scientists have measured alarmingly low dissolved oxygen levels in the Indian River Lagoon – levels that were low enough to possibly cause a fish kill.  Anglers and boaters - if you observe dead or dying fish, please immediately call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s fish kill hotline at the link below.

 

Part 1: Florida Oceanographic Society's Water Quality Report

Figure 1. Florida Oceanographic Society's Weekly Water Quality Report for ecosystem health in the SLE and southern IRL. The breakdown is provided by each zone and location for the measured water quality parameter. Grading is based on Secchi visibility, salinity and dissolved oxygen levels. PDF of the full map with information on grading categories.

Disclaimer: The data above indicates changes in water quality parameters to evaluate habitat health. This map is not to be used to indicate current bacteria levels, nutrient levels, or the presence of harmful algae blooms. 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. 

Figure 2. Florida Oceanographic Society's Weekly Water Quality Map for the SLE and southern IRL. Grading is delineated by each zone, represented by both colors and their corresponding letter grade.

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 “D-” based on water clarity, oxygen content, and salinity values in 26 reports across 9 zones.

Discharges from Lake Okeechobee stayed at a 0 cfs constant schedule (current Lake Okeechobee daily status, see Table 2). Salinities across the SLE and IRL were poor - fair across all zones. Figure 4 shows how these salinities affect oyster habitat health in the IRL.

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

Figure 3. Weekly water quality grades for the SLE and southern IRL for 2023 (red line) and 2024 (blue line). 

Figure 4. Average weekly salinity upstream of the Roosevelt Bridge (Zones 1 – 4) and downstream of the Roosevelt Bridge (Zones 5 – 10). Salinity ratings are based on RECOVER Northern Estuaries Salinity Envelope Performance Measure of 2020. Find out more about the Florida Oceanographic oyster monitoring program and the Florida Oceanographic seagrass 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 September 13, 2024 – September 19, 2024, FDEP reported algal bloom conditions in 12 of 51 samples collected. “The best available satellite imagery for Lake Okeechobee from 9/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows scattered low to moderate bloom potential concentrated mostly along the northern and western shores of the lake. The most recent usable satellite imagery for the St. Lucie Estuary from 9/19 is partially obscured by cloud cover and shows no bloom potential in visible portions of the estuary.”

 

SFWMD Weekly Environmental Conditions Reports

Lake Okeechobee: SFWMD reported on September 25th, 2024, “Lake Okeechobee stage was 13.82 feet NAVD88 (15.13 ft NGVD29) on September 22, 2024, which was 0.20 feet higher than the previous week and 1.00 feet higher than a month ago. Average daily inflows (excluding rainfall) increased slightly from 7,080 cfs the previous week to 7,230 cfs. Average daily outflows (excluding evapotranspiration) were zero. In the most recent non-obscured satellite image from September 22, 2024, NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring System suggests patches of moderate cyanobacteria abundance along much of the western region of the Lake.”

St. Lucie Estuary: SFWMD reported that “total inflow to the St. Lucie Estuary averaged 3,794 cfs over the past week with no flow coming from Lake Okeechobee. Mean salinities increased on the surface but decreased on the bottom at the A1A and US1 bridges and remained the same at HR1 over the past week. Salinity in the middle estuary was in the lower stressed range (5-10) 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.

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

Florida Oceanographic Society's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research and advocacy. 

 

This weekly report is made possible through the support of our members and generous donors. Please help Florida Oceanographic Society continue our critical monitoring and restoration efforts in local waterways by making a donation or becoming a member today! 

 
 
 

Florida Oceanographic Society
890 Northeast Ocean Blvd.,  | Stuart, Florida  34996
772.225.0505 | info@floridaocean.org

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