Water Quality Index (WQI) is an average of 5 different parameters giving a river a good (0-45), fair (45-60), or poor (60+) rating. Learn more about the Water Quality Index »

Although present in all surface waters, nutrients are among the leading causes of degradation of Florida water resources. Learn more about nutrient chemistry »

Parameter	Latest Value	Historic Range	Additional Information
Total Nitrogen (TN)	870.0 ug/l 8/1/2017 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	190.0 - 9,550.0 ug/L 3/29/1973 - 1/3/2018 466 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Total Phosphorus (TP)	213.0 ug/L 8/1/2017 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	20.0 - 2,640.0 ug/L 7/23/1973 - 1/3/2018 960 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin	3.0 ug/L 8/1/2017 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	0.7 - 186.0 ug/L 10/15/1973 - 3/6/2018 275 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin	0.4 ug/L 12/8/2015 Source: SWFWMD Water Quality Sampling Data (STORET)	0.4 - 70.5 ug/L 7/17/2001 - 12/8/2015 91 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data

Water clarity or turbidity measures the degree to which light is blocked because the water is cloudy or contains suspended particles, such as algae. Water clarity is one indicator of a waterbody's ability to sustain plants and wildlife. Learn more about water clarity »

Whole River Range

As of 7/2/2013,
Average turbidity is higher than it has been historically.

The currently used bacterial indicators for recreational waters include total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus. Indicator organisms themselves are not necessarily pathogenic but their presence "indicates" or suggests recent contamination by human sewage or other waste which may result in human illness. Sources of contamination include storm water runoff, sewage overflows and feces from wild and domestic animals. Learn more about bacteria »

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is one of the most important indicators of water quality. It is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. Learn more about dissolved oxygen »

The Impaired Waters Data is the most recent available data from FDEP, but it may not reflect the current FDEP impaired list. These data are updated when and as soon as they are made available from FDEP.

This waterbody is impaired according to the State of Florida's Impaired Waters Rule (IWR) Chapter 62-303 F.A.C. that governs the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Program or according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Identification of Impaired Surface Waters (IWR) is a new scientific approach for guiding Florida Department of Environmental Protection process for identifying and prioritizing impaired surface waters in Florida. The rule evaluates whether waters meet their designated uses for a particular analyte, which include aquatic life use support, primary contact and recreation use support, fish and shellfish consumption use support, and drinking water use support. All water resources in this county are designated as Class III waters. Class III waters are considered recreational use waters, which means that the water should be fishable and swimmable. Class II waters are for shellfish propagation and harvesting. Class I waters are considered potable (drinkable) water supplies. As part of the terms of a court order related to the 1998 303(d) list of impaired waters, some waters are listed as impaired by EPA but not listed by the State of Florida. Learn more about impaired waters »

Pollutants

This waterbody has been associated with the following WBIDs deemed impaired by the Environmental Protection Agency's 303(d) list:

WBID	Basin	Impairment(s)	EPA Details
2069	PUNTA GORDA ISLES CANAL	CHLOROPHYLL-A, DISSOLVED OXYGEN, MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE	View additional EPA information »
2070	PUNTA GORDA ISLES 2 CANAL	MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE	View additional EPA information »
2073	MANGROVE POINT CANAL	DISSOLVED OXYGEN, MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE	View additional EPA information »

Source(s): US Environmental Protection Agency

• View map of WBID boundaries and verified impairments within the mapping interface

 

• Charlotte Harbor Study Area Impaired Waters Map
• Frequently Asked Questions About TMDLs - What is a TMDL? What is a WBID? What does it mean when a water body is impaired? (And other questions)
• Proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria for the CHNEP Estuarine System (Draft)

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