Peace River Estuary (Upper Segment North), covering 1,016 acres, is a tidal waterbody situated in Charlotte County, with the associated WBID(s): 2056C1.
Note that this waterbody is impaired for one or more parameters including Mercury. All recreational marine waters in Florida are impaired for Mercury based on fish tissue assessments and a statewide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) pollutant limit for Mercury has been adopted in response. The largest sources of Mercury are from air pollution generated from local and global power plants.
This waterbody is located within: Peace River Basin
View Maps / Data
CHNEP's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) identified four action plans: water quality improvement; hydrological restoration; fish, wildlife, and habitat improvement; and public engagement. Click on the interactive maps below to view data associated with these goals and actions.
Water Quality
Hydrology
Wildlife/Habitats
Resiliency/Weather
Water Quality Snapshot
The Water Quality Snapshot compares the most current water quality data to applicable water quality standards for Chlorophyll a, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Bacteria, and Dissolved Oxygen to provide a snapshot of how a waterbody is doing. Water quality standards are outlined in Florida Administrative Code 62-302 for fresh/marine waterbodies of different types and uses. A Water Body Identification number (WBID) is an assessment unit that is intended to represent Florida’s waterbodies at the watershed or sub-watershed scale. The assessment units are drainage basins, lakes, lake drainage areas, springs, rivers and streams, segments of rivers and streams, coastal, bay and estuarine waters in Florida.
There are no WBIDs with water quality data at this time.
Loading...
View Detailed Data About the Following Topics:
Water Quality
Red Tide
The Gulf and bays of southwest Florida experience a "red tide" that is caused by recurring high concentrations of an alga that discolors the water and releases toxic chemicals. In Florida, under suitable conditions, the microscopic organism Karenia brevis successfully reproduces to more than a million cells per liter. The toxins kill fish, manatees, birds, and other wildlife, make shellfish inedible, and make beachgoers uncomfortable. The economic losses to the recreation industry can exceed tens of millions of dollars. Public outcry about persistent red tides has stimulated an increased resolve among researchers to understand the complex bloom mechanisms and to develop methods to alleviate the troublesome effects.
Learn more about Red Tide »
No Data Available
Nutrient Chemistry
Although naturally present in all surface waters, excessive nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus – are a nationwide water quality problem. They can cause overgrowth of plants that deplete the oxygen in the water needed by aquatic creatures to survive. Learn more about nutrient chemistry »
| Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen, Total | 1.31 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 1.31 - 1.63 mg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Phosphorus as P | 0.84 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 0.49 - 0.84 mg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin | 2.9 µg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 2.9 - 4.5 µg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin | 2.4 µg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 2.4 - 3.5 µg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Nitrogen, ammonia as N | 0.04 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 0.04 - 0.04 mg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Nitrogen, Kjeldahl | 1.1 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 1.1 - 1.1 mg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Nitrogen, Nitrite + Nitrate as N | 0.21 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 0.21 - 0.53 mg/L 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
Water Clarity
Water clarity or turbidity measurements show the degree to which light is blocked by suspended particles such as sediment or algae. In a healthy aquatic system, sunlight is able to penetrate the water column and is available for photosynthetic plants and the creatures that depend on them. Learn more about water clarity »
| Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range |
|---|---|---|
| Secchi disk depth | 2.3 ft. 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 1.64 - 2.95 ft. 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 7 samples |
| Turbidity | 3 NTU 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 3 - 4.6 NTU 2/22/2024 - 10/31/2024 2 samples |
| Apparent Color | 80 PCU 1/26/2023 Source: Charlotte County | 75 - 280 PCU 6/30/2022 - 1/26/2023 10 samples |
Salinity
Salinity is a measure of 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salinity | 0.3 ppt 5/21/2024 Source: Charlotte County | 0.14 - 0.41 ppt 6/30/2022 - 5/21/2024 27 samples |
| Specific conductance | 248.2 umho 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 248.2 - 17,077 umho 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 14 samples |
Bacteria
Bacterial indicators for recreational waters include Fecal Coliform, Total Coliform, and Enterococcus (including E. coli). While indicator organisms themselves are not necessarily pathogenic, their presence suggests possible contamination which may result in human illness. Sources of this contamination include stormwater runoff, sewage overflows, and feces from wild and domestic animals. Learn more about bacteria »
| Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | 48 cfu/100mL 5/28/2015 Source: FDEP Watershed Monitoring Section | 48 - 48 cfu/100mL 5/28/2015 - 5/28/2015 1 samples |
| Enterococcus Group Bacteria | 20 cfu/100mL 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 20 - 687 cfu/100mL 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 7 samples |
| Escherichia coli | 31 cfu/100mL 5/21/2024 Source: Charlotte County | 10 - 1,291 cfu/100mL 6/30/2022 - 5/21/2024 25 samples |
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is one of the most important indicators of water quality. It is essential for a healthy, productive biological system and vital to the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. Learn more about dissolved oxygen »
| Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | 5.19 mg/L 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 3.47 - 8.16 mg/L 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 14 samples |
| BOD, Biochemical oxygen demand | 1.5 mg/L 7/13/1984 Source: USGS National Water Information System | 1.5 - 1.5 mg/L 7/13/1984 - 7/13/1984 1 samples |
| Dissolved oxygen saturation | 61.9 percent (%) 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 45.1 - 86.5 percent (%) 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 14 samples |
Other Indicators
| Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.89 10/31/2024 Source: FDEP - South Regional Operations Center | 6.77 - 7.69 3/13/2023 - 10/31/2024 14 samples |
| Temperature, water | 83.7 °F 5/21/2024 Source: Charlotte County | 65.53 - 91.33 °F 6/30/2022 - 5/21/2024 27 samples |
Impaired Waters
This waterbody is impaired according to the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) implementation of the Impaired Waters Rule (IWR). The FDEP evaluates whether waters meet their designated uses, which include aquatic life use support, primary contact and recreation use support, fish and shellfish consumption use support, and drinking water use support. Learn more about IWR Assessment »
Impairment Status
Impaired
Water Body Class(es)
3M
Water Body Type(s)
ESTUARY
Florida also has mercury impairment statewide, its largest source being atmospheric deposition from local and global power generation. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection have identified over 400 waterbodies, most freshwater lakes and rivers but also some coastal/marine areas, that are impaired due to mercury found in fish tissue. Florida Fish Consumption Advisories, updated annually by the DOH, provide guidance on how to limit mercury exposure from these waters.
This waterbody is associated with the following DEP Waterbody IDs (WBIDs) and impairment statuses:
| WBID | Name | Impairment(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2056C1 | Peace River Estuary (Upper Segment North) | Iron | Impaired |
| 2056C1 | Peace River Estuary (Upper Segment North) | Mercury (in fish tissue) | TMDL Complete |
Source: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Related Documents and Links
- EPA Modeling Report - Charlotte Harbor (WBIDs 1774, 1948, 1962, 1995, 1997, 2054, 2056A, 2056B, and 2071) TMDL - Modeling Report - 1/2, Nut. DO & BOD
- EPA Modeling Report - Charlotte Harbor (WBIDs 1774, 1948, 1962, 1995, 1997, 2054, 2056A, 2056B, and 2071) TMDL - Modeling Report - 2/2, Nut. DO & BOD
- EPA Proposed TMDL - Charlotte Harbor and Peace River (WBIDs 1774, 1948, 1962, 1995, 1997, 2054, 2056A, 2056B, and 2071) Nutrients, BOD & DO
- Final Report: Mercury TMDL for the State of Florida
- Peace River above Bowlegs Creek (WBID 1623J) Fecal Coliform Bacteria TMDL
- TMDL for Fecal and Total Coliform in Upper and Middle Peace River Basin
- Total Maximum Daily Load for DO, Nutrients, and BOD, in Peace River Above Bowlegs Creek
Habitats / Ecology
Seagrass Coverage
Among the most important habitats in Florida's estuarine environments, seagrass beds are indispensable for the role they play in cycling nutrients, supplying food for wildlife, stabilizing sediments, and providing habitat for juvenile and adult finfish and shellfish. Use the interactive map below to observe the size, density and location of seagrass beds from year to year. The graph shows how the total amount of seagrass in the bay has changed over time. Learn more about seagrasses »
The interactive map below shows seagrass extents as they existed between 1948 and 2022. Use the slider to toggle the year being displayed to demonstrate how seagrass coverage has changed over time. Note: Seagrass acreage data are collected bi-annually by each Water Management District in alternate years. As a result, some years have no acreage data.
2022 Seagrass Coverage
-
Continuous Seagrass -
Patchy Seagrass
Artificial Reefs
Artificial reefs are created by the placing building materials, derelict vessels, or other objects in carefully selected nearshor or offshore locations. Once the reef structure is established, tiny free-floating creatures soon attach and grow, quickly attracting larger marine life. These lush, natural-looking reefs replace lost habitats and also create recreational opportunities for anglers and divers. Learn more about artificial reefs »
Find Artificial Reefs
Recreation
Find maps and waterway navigation guides, descriptions of facilities and recreational amenities, as well as warnings and restrictions pertaining to their use.
PHOTOS
2 Year Graph
10 Year Graph
Seasonal Variation Graph
Graph Details and Help
Water quality data is displayed as a scatter-plot with data from individual sampling events displayed by date, for the previous two- and ten-year periods. Data from all available sources are plotted together. Clicking on a graph will open a larger version of it. To view/download data older than ten years, or to view/download data from individual data source(s), click the "Download Data" icon or button.
The scale used is chosen to accommodate typical values for the water quality parameter being graphed. Units are shown on the y-axis and in the graph title.
Graphs are generated and stored in the Water Atlas database on a periodic basis using an automated process. The date when the graph was created is shown.
The Seasonal Variation Graph displays a statistical summary of data from all available data sources for the entire period of record. It is used to illustrate typical variation in the selected water quality parameter from month to month during the year. The diagram below shows how to read the graph:
The median value is shown. Although not specifically marked on the graph, the mean (average) value is midway between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
The "whiskers" indicate the range of the sample values; those that are outside pre-defined "Minimum" and "Maximum" values are excluded. Sample data less than the Minimum or greater than the Maximum are considered to be outliers and are not displayed on the graph.