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 select a water quality parameter, time period, and geographic area. The map displays a summary of Seasonal Kendall Tau statistical trend analyses. Each icon represents a monitoring location, which may include one or more monitoring stations grouped together. The icon indicates whether the data for the selected water quality measure shows a statistically significant trend - and if so, whether it is increasing or decreasing, and whether the trend is weak (<10% change/year) or strong (>10%/year).
Clicking on an icon opens a popup with a trend graph. From there, you can click "View full details" to access a dedicated page with comprehensive information about the location, including all contributing monitoring stations, data, and trend analysis. A printer-friendly version is also available for download.
Data is presented and analyzed here in two ways:
- Stratum: 60 randomized samples are collected each month to capture representative water quality conditions across 10 waterbodies throughout the CHNEP area over multiple years, these waterbodies are the 'stratum'. This data is collected by partners in the Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network (CCHMN).
- Fixed Station: individual stations where samples have been collected in the same location over multiple years and are representative of water quality conditions at that station. CHNEP's county and municipal partners and established volunteer programs listed below collect this data.
Learn more
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.
