Punta Gorda Canal System

located within the following watersheds: Charlotte Harbor Watershed, Peace River Watershed

Description

Explore general as well as scientific information about the movement, chemistry and biology of area surface water environments.

The data on this page are designed to give you a picture of the total health of this waterbody. Click the "Learn More" text to learn more about each parameter shown and how it indicates Water Quality.

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Map Legend

: Water Quality sampling site
: Hydrology sampling site

: Closest Rainfall site
: Rainfall sampling site
: Multi-type sampling site
: Other sampling site

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Water Quality Index

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 »

Whole River Range	Data by River Segment
8 - 17 Good - Good Oct-Dec 2018	WQI Data Table and Graph

Nutrient Chemistry

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)	700.0 ug/l 11/6/2018 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	190.0 - 9,550.0 ug/L 3/29/1973 - 11/6/2018 476 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Total Phosphorus (TP)	159.0 ug/L 11/6/2018 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	17.0 - 2,640.0 ug/L 7/23/1973 - 11/6/2018 970 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin	4.0 ug/L 11/6/2018 Source: LAKEWATCH Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring	0.7 - 186.0 ug/L 10/15/1973 - 11/6/2018 283 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	0.4 - 70.5 ug/L 8/17/2005 - 12/8/2015 91 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data

Water Clarity

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	Data by River Segment
As of 10/18/2017: Average turbidity is higher than it has been historically.	Clarity Data Table and Graph

Bacteria

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 »

Parameter	Latest Value	Historic Range	Additional Information
Fecal Coliform	22 CFU/100ml 7/15/2008 Source: FDEP South District Sampling Data	1 - 2,580 CFU/100ml 3/29/1973 - 7/15/2008 273 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Total Coliform	40 CFU/100ml 2/3/2003 Source: FDEP South District Sampling Data	2 - 3,900 CFU/100ml 3/29/1973 - 2/3/2003 203 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Enterococcus	16 CFU/100ml 8/21/2006 Source: FDEP Watershed Monitoring Section	2 - 16 CFU/100ml 7/17/2001 - 8/21/2006 3 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data

Dissolved Oxygen

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 »

Parameter	Latest Value	Historic Range	Additional Information
Dissolved Oxygen	5.6 mg/l 10/18/2017 10:14:00 AM Source: Southwest Florida Water Management District	0.0 - 15.0 mg/l 3/28/1973 - 10/18/2017 5,554 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data

Salinity

Salinity measures the amount of salts dissolved in water. An estuary can exhibit a change in salinity throughout its length as fresh water entering from the tributaries mixes with seawater from the ocean. Learn more about salinity »

Parameter	Latest Value	Historic Range	Additional Information
Salinity	12.2 ppt 10/18/2017 10:14:00 AM Source: Southwest Florida Water Management District	0.5 - 180.0 ppt 5/31/1973 - 10/18/2017 5,623 samples	2 Year Graph Download this data

Impaired Waters

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
Final Report: Mercury TMDL for the State of Florida
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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Advanced Data Features

Data Download and Advanced Graphing Tool - Download and/or graph water quality, hydrology, and rainfall trends using the data presented on the Atlas for use in your own analyses and reports.

CHNEP Water Atlas