Water Quality
Estero Bay and the Gulf of America are two of the best features about the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
A good way to stay informed on the health of the water is to monitor water quality. Natural phenomena such as hurricanes and heavy rains can increase water quality issues by increasing stormwater pollution runoff to local water bodies. Water Quality can also be affected by nutrients in the water, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.Nutrients are naturally occurring in water bodies, but there are many sources of nutrients entering our water bodies. They come from natural decomposition of plants, contributions from wildlife and domestic animals, atmospheric deposition, development, automobile exhaust, septic tanks and fertilizer use, to name a few.
If you are interested in learning more about the water quality of Fort Myers Beach, please look at the links below.
Fecal Indicator bacteria
are representative of a suite of bacteria from the digestive tract of mammals, and often come from sources such as inadequately treated wastewater, leaking septic tanks, stormwater runoff, pet waste, livestock, and wildlife.
Of course, there are many other concerns with water quality that are not represented in this particular map, including vibrio, red tide, blue green algae, and hurricane debris in the water, to name a few.
The interactive Calusa Waterkeeper map can be seen online at https://calusawaterkeeper.org/issues/bacteria-monitoring/ at the bottom of the page, and you can click on each location and see the previous month’s results and more information about the site.
Click here for the direct link to Fort Myers Beach water sample results .
Red Drift Algae
Red Drift Algae is any of a number of larger species of algae that can be seen with the naked eye. These species, which vary in color and can be red, brown, green or white occur naturally in the environment and can sometimes detach from the bottom and wash up along area beaches. These species are called macro algae because they can be seen without aid of a microscope. These algae are not harmful and are non-toxic but, when they wash up on beaches, can smell bad as they decompose.Why cleanup occurs: Large accumulations of red drift algae, storm debris, or fish kills can negatively impact beach access, recreation, and public health, making timely cleanup a priority for the Town.
What qualifies as a mass algae event: Cleanup may be considered when algae piles average at least one foot deep across multiple transects and cover a minimum of 1,000 linear feet of shoreline.
Permitting requirements: Once criteria are met, Environmental Staff must obtain approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) before any mechanical cleaning occurs.
How mechanical cleaning is conducted: All work follows FDEP permit conditions, occurs after at least one full tidal cycle, avoids dune areas, and ensures no debris is buried; collected algae is removed from the island and properly disposed of.
Environmental protections: Some wrack is intentionally left behind to support shorebirds, and all equipment movement is carefully controlled to minimize beach impacts.
Wildlife nesting considerations:
Shorebird nesting season: February 15–September 1, IBNB guidelines followed
Sea turtle nesting season: May 1–October 31, requiring a daily survey by the permitted sea turtle monitor prior to cleaning.
Fort Myers Beach –
“What’s In the Water?” Project
A collaboration between the Mound House, The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, and the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce Water Foundation.
Interested in volunteering? See below for more information:
Red Tide
The Florida Red Tide is caused by Karenia brevis, an organism that you can only see with a microscope. It’s always present in the Gulf of Mexico in small amounts, but when it “blooms” and occurs in larger amounts, it sometimes discolors the waters, giving them a reddish or brownish appearance, hence the name “red tide.” When blooms occur, their toxins can kill fish and other marine animals. When their toxins become airborne, they can also have respiratory effects on people at beaches.
Click here Version OptionsWater QualityEstero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are two of the best features about the Town of Fort Myers Beach.Headline for recent reports from Fish & Wildlife Commission regarding Red Tide.
Lake Okeechobee Impacts on Southwest Florida
Lake Okeechobee impacts Southwest Florida through releases of freshwater travelling through the Caloosahatchee River making its way to the area beaches. There are several non-profit agencies that monitor the releases as they occur. The links below give access to those monitoring reports.
Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule
Lake Okeechobee Release Schedule (LORS)
Interim Regulation Schedule Data
Request to Army Corps of Engineers - Letter from Mayor
Request to South Florida Water Management District - Letter from Mayor
South Florida Water Management District letter regarding Lake Okeechobee Discharges