Explore short- and long-term trends for those water quality parameters that are most useful in evaluating the extent of nutrient pollution.
Use the map to choose a water quality parameter, time period, and geographic area. The map will show a summary of the results of a Seasonal Kendall Tau statistical analysis for trend*.
Each icon displayed on the map represents one monitoring station; it shows whether the data collected there for the selected water quality measure shows a statistically significant trend, and if so, whether it was increasing or decreasing, weak (<10% change/year) or strong (>10%/year).
Clicking on an icon will open a popup with a trend graph. Click on the "View full details" link in the popup to see a full page of information about the station, data, and trend, and to download a printer-friendly version.
The Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network (CCHMN) is a regional partnership of agencies (managed under the CHNEP) initiated in 2001 that collects monthly water quality data using a consistent, technically sound sampling design. Long-term random sampling of water quality conditions throughout waterbodies allows scientific assessment of water quality trends. CCHMN field and laboratory partners collect and analyze water samples from 60 randomly selected field sites throughout 10 waterbodies each month, including Lemon Bay, Cape Haze/Gasparilla Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay and the Tidal Myakka, Peace, and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Fifteen water quality parameters are measured and analyzed using consistent field and laboratory methods (CHNEP 2015 and CHNEP 2016 and CHNEP 2019) following FDEP 2017 SOPs (Effective 4/16/2018) Field testing overall – FT 1000.
Data are uploaded biannually by partners to WIN (Watershed Information Network), previously called STORET (Storage and Retrieval), a standard, common public database maintained by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). CCHMN supplements other ongoing water quality monitoring programs implemented by partners, including ongoing fixed station monitoring by counties, cities, agencies, and citizen scientists. The water quality data provided by the CCHMN is an essential component of many water quality assessments and resource management decisions throughout the CHNEP estuarine and tidal waters. The CCHMN is currently funded by a partnership of Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Charlotte County, Lee County, the City of Cape Coral, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and CHNEP. Field sampling is conducted by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Charlotte Harbor Field Laboratory, City of Cape Coral, FDEP Environmental Assessment and Restoration South Regional Operations, and Lee County Environmental Laboratory. Laboratory analyses are conducted by a partnership with Charlotte County (Benchmark Laboratory), City of Cape Coral Laboratory and Lee County Environmental Laboratory.
Additionally, CHNEP's county and municipal partners listed below and established volunteer programs such as such as the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network (CHEVWQMN), Cape Coral Canal Watch, and City of Lakeland Water Quality Data collect and analyze water quality data through fixed station monitoring programs. This data is also used for scientific assessment of water quality trends and is an essential component of water quality assessments and resource management decisions throughout the CHNEP watersheds and waterbodies.
