The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has reported that in the last 10 days, maximum water temperatures have exceeded 90°F at several River, Estuary, and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) sites within the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico.
SCCF manages an extensive network of water quality sensors throughout the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. These sensors provide real-time data to the public, measuring critical parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll, collectively known as RECON.
Each week, the data from these stations are compiled and published in the SCCF’s Caloosahatchee Conditions Report. This is a collaborative effort between SCCF’s Marine Lab and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
“This data is crucial for informing stakeholders about local water quality conditions and for providing science-based recommendations for managing the broader Caloosahatchee system,” explained Policy Associate Allie Pecenka. “The Caloosahatchee Conditions Report displays these parameters, including the lowest and highest values recorded over the week.”
Pecenka noted that while such high water temperatures are typical during the summer, an early-season spike may indicate a broader trend of rising water temperatures in the Caloosahatchee and Gulf. Elevated water temperatures can increase the susceptibility of the river and estuary to harmful algal blooms, negatively impact aquatic life, and intensify storms in the Gulf and Atlantic.
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