St. Lucie River
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The Water Quality Status Tool Currently Displays Relevant Water Data For 3 Major Waterbodies In South Florida And Will Be Rolling Out Statewide Next Year.
Protecting Florida Together’s water quality status tool displays relevant data collected from various government and citizen groups including: the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This tool initially focuses on three major South Florida waterbodies, but will be expanded statewide and enhanced with additional features and data next year. Blue-green algae and red tide data is updated daily, while the frequency of background nutrient samples may range from annually to weekly. For more information, visit the Overview page. Markers on this map are associated with location data submitted when samples are taken or reports are made, however actual environmental conditions can change or move more quickly than this site can be updated. Please take caution and review the educational resources on this website to ensure your safety. For more information read our disclaimer information.

To start, select the type of data markers you are interested in:

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The Caloosahatchee Estuary Basin is the 277,408-acre watershed draining into the tidal portion of the Caloosahatchee system, currently excluding the upstream watersheds that contribute flows to the estuary above S79 (Franklin Lock). DEP identified the Caloosahatchee Estuary as not meeting water quality standards for nutrients. The Caloosahatchee Estuary BMAP was adopted in November 2012 to implement the nitrogen (TN) TMDL.
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Lake Okeechobee, the largest lake in the southeastern United States, is a shallow, eutrophic lake with an average depth of 9 feet. The Lake Okeechobee Watershed covers more than 2.9 million acres and consists of 9 sub-watersheds. DEP identified Lake Okeechobee as not meeting water quality standards for nutrients. The Lake Okeechobee BMAP was adopted in December 2014 to implement the phosphorus (TP) TMDL.
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The St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin is a 514,649-acre watershed located in southeast Florida in Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Okeechobee County. It drains into the St. Lucie Estuary, a major tributary of the Southern Indian River Lagoon. DEP identified the St. Lucie River and Estuary as not meeting water quality standards for nutrients (TN & TP) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The St. Lucie River and Estuary BMAP was adopted in June 2013 to implement the nutrient TMDLs.
Health Notification:
Warning
  • Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae may be in these waters. Not all blue-green algae blooms contain toxins. However, adults, children and pets should avoid swimming in or drinking water from these waters while blue-green algae blooms are present.

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Caution

    Due to the level of bacteria from fecal contamination in this waterbody, the Florida Department of Health advises against swimming until further notice. High bacteria levels indicate an increased risk of illness in swimmers. Please keep a close on eye on children and pets.

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    Caution

      Red Tide Algae may be in these waters. Avoid this beach if you have chronic respiratory problems. Keep pets away from water and dead fish. Do not swim near or touch dead fish.

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      Effects Reported:
      Blue-Green Algae

        Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is a type of algae found naturally in freshwater environments. The algae was reported at this location on the date noted. keep a close on eye on children and pets.

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        Red Tide

          Red tide occurs in Florida's coastal waters when a specific type of algae, Karenia brevis, reaches high concentrations – more than 100,000 algal cells per liter. Although Karenia brevis occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, it is not present everywhere all the time. In fact, if the algae that cause red tides are present at all, they generally occur at low to very low concentrations.

          Karenia brevis was reported at this site on the date noted, but at concentrations less than 100,000 cells per liter. Respiratory irritation and shellfish harvest closures are possible.

          Karenia brevis was reported at this site on the date noted at concentrations exceeding 100,000 cells per liter. Possible environmental and health impacts include discolored water, respiratory irritation, fish kills, and shellfish closures.

          More on Red Tide
          Results & Standards:
          Nutrients & Chlorophyll:
          Nutrients ⎯ like nitrogen and phosphorus ⎯ are naturally present in the water and necessary for the healthy growth of plants and animals. However, excess nutrients can lead to rapid growth of algae, which is measured by scientists as chlorophyll a. Excess algae can have negative impacts to fish, wildlife and humans. Below are the key nutrients and chlorophyll being tracked in this waterbody. The dials indicate the most recent sampling result (needle), the magnitude of the applicable water quality standard (white line), and the annual average for that location. A water quality standard is based on a long-term or annual average representative of a healthy system, so a single data point being above the standard does not necessarily indicate the condition of the entire water body. When an entire water body is not meeting its water quality standard, a restoration goal, such as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), may be set as a protective target to reduce the concentration of that nutrient entering the entire water body to eventually meet the water quality standard. More on Nutrients & Chlorophyll
          Nitrogen
          Annual Average:
          Phosphorus
          Annual Average:
          Chlorophyll
          Annual Average:
          To learn more information on the data and how it was acquired read our Data & Methodology FAQ.

          Markers on this map are associated with location data submitted when samples are taken or reports are made, however, actual environmental conditions can change or move more quickly than this site can be updated.
          For more information read our disclaimer information.