Water Quality Dashboard

Current water quality conditions for inland and coastal waterbodies

This dashboard measures the most current water quality data against water quality standards for Chlorophyll a, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, E. coli bacteria, and Secchi Depth water clarity (separated by fresh and marine water quality standards outlined in Florida Administrative Code 62-302). It provides a snapshot of how a waterbody is doing, with the colors on the dials representing the current state of the water quality based on the last data point reported with green meaning good condition, yellow meaning fair as water quality is approaching unsafe threshold, and red meaning poor as the water is above the safety threshold. For additional water quality data and more detailed analysis of a specific lake, river or bay visit the home page of the Water Atlas.

The results displayed on the Dashboard are for information only and have no regulatory authority. They are not an assessment of waterbody impairment, which is done solely by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which continually collects and assesses water quality and biological data statewide to determine water quality and ecosystem impairment (https://floridadep.gov/dear/watershed-assessment-section).

Usage notes: Zoom in completely on the desired waterbody before selecting to ensure the correct waterbody is selected. If you have trouble viewing dials or latest values, refresh the page and re-select the desired waterbody.

Open the CHNEP Water Quality Dashboard

Legend

GoodGood condition as water quality is in safe range
PoorPoor condition as water quality is above safety threshold

Tips

  • Zoom in completely on the desired waterbody before selecting to ensure the correct waterbody is selected.
  • If you have trouble viewing dials or latest values, refresh the page and re-select the desired waterbody.

Parameters

  • Chlorophyll a - Chlorophyll a is used as an indicator of water quality because chlorophyll is essential for organisms that use photosynthesis for energy. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms in the water dependent on photosynthesis. Water that has high chlorophyll (and phytoplankton) typically is also too high in nutrients, generally phosphorus and nitrogen.
  • Phosphorus and Nitrogen - Phosphorus and Nitrogen are nutrients that are essential to plant growth, an excess of these nutrients in the water can cause algae to grow to be overgrown and negatively impact water quality. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus can be indicators of pollution from man-made sources, such as septic system leakage, poorly functioning wastewater treatment plants, or fertilizer runoff.
  • Secchi Depth - Secchi depth is the measurement of how clear the water is. The secchi disk is a tool used to measure how far light can travel in the water and if it can reach the bottom. Sometimes there is too much sediment or phytoplankton in the water and it blocks the light from reaching the bottom, this is an indicator of poor water quality. The further light can travel in the water, the more underwater plants can grow and thrive.
  • Bacteria (E. coli or Enterococcus) - Presence of bacteria in the water is an indicator of too much waste from land sources entering our waterways. High bacteria levels are an indicator of poor water quality.

Methodology

The thresholds used on the CHNEP Water Quality Dashboard are based on pollutant limits called "numeric nutrient criteria" that are set forth in the Florida Administrative Code (FAC). The thresholds used are based on the type of waterbody (lake, stream, bay, etc.), its "designated use" (drinkable, fishable/swimmable, shellfish harvest, industrial/agricultural canal, etc.), its salinity (freshwater or marine), where in the state it is located, and other factors.

Some water bodies have "site-specific" thresholds that are listed in the FAC; these supersede any general thresholds.

  • General (non-site-specific) water quality thresholds are defined in FAC 62-302.530 and 62-302.531. The general threshold that applies to a particular lake depends on its alkalinity, color, chlorophyll level, and "nutrient region" (for CHNEP, either Peninsular or West Central). The general threshold that applies to a particular stream depends on its nutrient region.
  • Site-specific thresholds for individual water bodies are defined in Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for individual water bodies (see FAC 62-304 and the TMDL list on the FDEP website); these thresholds are summarized in this list.
  • All estuaries in the CHNEP area have site-specific thresholds that are defined in FAC 62-302-532.
  • Nutrient thresholds for streams and canals in the Caloosahatchee River Basin are defined in the TMDL set forth in FAC 62-304.800; these are expressed as annual pollutant loads rather than concentrations and as such they cannot be compared to sampling data by this tool.

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