Banana River Lagoon
The 2025 health assessment for the Banana River Lagoon is “okay.” Seagrass coverage slightly increased and overall water quality was “okay”—the same assessments as 2024. There was a notable improvement in algae conditions with reduced chlorophyll-a concentrations across the basin and persistent low algal bloom conditions; there were also significantly fewer wastewater spills. Water quality remained “okay” with lower algae concentrations balanced by increased amounts of nitrogen (from “good” in 2024 to “okay” in 2025).
Algal Blooms
Based on chlorophyll-a data collected between August 1, 2024 to August 1, 2025, the Banana River Lagoon experienced harmful algal bloom conditions 36.7% of the time. Of those harmful algal bloom conditions, 75% of blooms were considered low bloom, 19.4% of blooms were considered mid bloom, and 5.6% of blooms were considered high bloom. The median chlorophyll-a concentration in the basin for the year was 3.84 ug/L (the average concentration was 5.65 ug/L), earning a “good” assessment.
Salinity
From August 2024 to August 2025, median salinity in the Banana River Lagoon was at levels that support peak growth of oysters, clams, and at least two species of seagrass. This is promising for restoration work, especially considering the long water residence times of this basin.
Seagrass
The Banana River Lagoon had a “Slight Increase” in seagrass coverage. Based on St. Johns River Water Management District satellite data, seagrass coverage changed from 153 acres in 2021 to 167 acres present in 2023. This represents a 9.5% increase in coverage. Satellite data are taken every two years and 2025 coverage will be available by spring of 2026.
Sediment Health
Sediment health data points for the Banana River Lagoon came from Florida Institute of Technology research. Sediment health was mostly good where sampled, but are too limited to draw basin-wide conclusions. The Sykes Creek data highlight the variability in sediment health even across small distances. These data, specifically, are part of an ongoing environmental dredging project with sediment quality informing dredging decisions.
Wastewater Spills
From August 2024 to August 2025, there were eight wastewater spills that affected the Banana River Lagoon watershed with four releasing into the Lagoon. Of those four spills (between 100 and 110,000 gallons), three released untreated wastewater and one released treated wastewater. This is much fewer than the 25 spills reported in this watershed last year.
Water Quality
Water quality in the Banana River Lagoon was “okay” in 2025. The health indicator assessment is based on averaging the pH, turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a values in the basin. The Banana River Lagoon received a “good” for chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, “okay” for pH, turbidity, and total phosphorus, and “very poor” for total nitrogen. Changes from 2024 include a drop in chlorophyll-a concentrations, increase in phosphorus concentration, and more alkaline (basic) pH.
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