Persistence, Plus Positivity | |
It's been quite a summer so far with the Calusa Waterkeeper team spinning many plates to address water quality issues and restoration efforts throughout Southwest Florida. | |
Today's newsletter is organized a little differently than usual - trying to group some of these topics together as we try to help everyone understand a variety of water quality issues. This includes our work on 1) fecal bacteria contamination throughout parts of Fort Myers and Estero; 2) the massive cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Okeechobee and smaller blooms popping up in the tidal canals of Cape Coral, and 3) the ongoing dominance of macroalgae and decaying organics discoloring Matlacha Pass. | |
Capt. Codty Pierce
Calusa Waterkeeper | |
On the other hand of our tireless efforts are the positive programs and restoration projects we've been spearheading in the community, such as vertical oyster garden seminars, Eyes on Seagrass monitoring, the Ranger Academy and some fun public outreach events starting this week! Please read on for more details: | |
August is National Water Quality Month! | |
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Taps Flow for H2O
It's time to join Calusa Waterkeeper at local breweries during the month of August as we bring awareness to National Water Quality Month and raise funds for our clean water projects and programs. These businesses have generously agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds during the scheduled events to benefit Calusa Waterkeeper's mission to protect and restore SWFL waters:
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August 3-4, Millennial Brewing
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August 9, Coastal Dayz Brewery
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August 17, Eight-Foot Brewing
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August 23, Point Ybel Brewing
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August 24, Fort Myers Brewing
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August 31, Margaritaville License to Chill
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Join us at any or all of these events to enjoy local craft beer, food, music, games and giveaways, PLUS enter to win a two-night stay at Margaritaville on Fort Myers Beach! | |
July Fecal Bacteria Indicator Results | |
CWK conducts Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) sampling at up to 32 sites in Southwest Florida each month. Enterococci bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections, and rashes.
Results over 70 MPN would trigger an advisory from the Florida Department of Health if these sites were classified as "public bathing places." View the full results. (Please note conditions can change daily).
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Manuel’s Branch plagued by alarming contamination levels | |
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OpEd by Calusa Waterkeeper, Codty Pierce | July 8, 2024
As the Calusa Waterkeeper, it is my duty and that of our organization to protect and restore our local waterways and ensure they remain safe for public health and the enjoyment of all. Manuel’s Branch runs along vital community landmarks where children and families gather and play. The risks associated with drinking, swimming, or fishing in these waters are serious.
Continue Reading
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Fort Myers asks state to extend deadline for water pollution fixes
News-Press - July 21, 2024
Despite the city’s attention to the Manuel's Branch, there’s been “no real change or improvement” in fecal bacteria levels, Waterkeeper Codty Pierce says.
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Cypress Bend community appears to be leaking sewage to Estero River
News-Press - July 26, 2024
A small south Lee County neighborhood is polluting an adjacent property and, eventually, the Estero River with untreated wastewater.
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DOH: No beach closures yet, but waters show poop bacteria in south Lee
News-Press - July 10, 2024
Results were about double the level they're supposed be at, said Dr. James Douglass.
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Critics: Governor endangering public by vetoing Safe Waterways Act
News-Press - July 12, 2024
Both the House and the Senate supported the measure, which would have increased the scope and range of DOH and its water monitoring program
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Announcing Open Enrollment for Fall Ranger Training Academy
Citizens are invited to become certified Rangers and stewards of our waterways. The academy offers a comprehensive educational program aimed at fostering environmental stewardship and advocacy for clean water.
Learn More
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Authorities' Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Response Continues to Be Lacking | |
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Lake Okeechobee, July 7th, 2024. The State of Florida's inability to reduce nutrient loading and legacy pollution in our waters is again on full display.
Ralph Arwood & Calusa Waterkeeper - July 8, 2024
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Harmful Algal Bloom in Bimini Basin/Rubican Canal area near Four Freedoms Park in Cape Coral.
Calusa Waterkeeper - July 14, 2024
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Algaecide Experiment in Upper Caloosahatchee
The week of July 15th, the Army Corps discharged millions of gallons per day from Lake Okeechobee solely to the Caloosahatchee because the South Florida Water Management District is carrying out experiments with peroxide based algaecides at S-77. Lake Guard Oxy is EPA approved but we have witnessed it being misused by officials in the Caloosahatchee watershed in a prior instance. We'll certainly be extremely interested in what conclusions may be drawn from this experiment...
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Calusa Waterkeeper volunteers and staff have been hard at work collecting thousands of oyster shells to cure and drill in preparation of our next Vertical Oyster Garden seminars.
Learn More
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What's Happening in Matlacha Pass? | |
Pilot Ralph Arwood returned to observe Matlacha Pass from the air on July 2nd and 23rd, 2024. It's very easy to see the milky-colored waters amid the more irregular shapes created by partial cloud cover. There are likely a number of causes contributing to this condition, including hydrogen sulfide and decayed mat algae that releases from the bottom, as well as heavy rainfall and high tides transporting decayed organic materials out of the (Ian damaged) mangroves and into the surrounding waters.
Down at sea level, boaters have been reporting strong smells, milky water and floating pieces of mat algae.
More Photos: July 2nd | July 23rd
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Join the Clean Water Movement. Become a Member Today!
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS START AS LOW AS $50
Water is our most precious natural resource in Southwest Florida.
If you are passionate about protecting our waterways, please join us in the fight for clean water by becoming an annual member of Calusa Waterkeeper today!
Your tax-deductible annual membership to Calusa Waterkeeper helps us protect and restore more than 1,000 square miles of imperiled water in Southwest Florida and ensure clean water for all.
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