Central Indian River Lagoon
The 2026 health assessment for the Central Indian River Lagoon is “Slight Improvement / Stable.” This is the same assessment as the 2025 health assessment (which was an improvement from the 2024 health assessment). It should be noted that water quality conditions did improve this year due to lower phosphorus concentrations.
Algal Blooms
Chlorophyll-a data collected between August 1, 2025 to August 1, 2026 indicate the Central Indian River Lagoon experienced algal bloom conditions 8.20% of the time with only 0.5% of the year spent in high bloom conditions. The median chlorophyll-a concentration in the basin for the year was 4.45 µg/L, earning a “good” assessment, like in 2025.
Salinity
From August 2025 to August 2026, median salinity in the Central Indian River Lagoon was at levels that support peak growth of oysters, clams, and at least two species of seagrass (median=25.49 ppt). While this is promising for restoration work, seagrass restoration (specifically) will be difficult until water clarity (turbidity) improves.
Seagrass
The Central Indian River Lagoon had a “slight increase” in seagrass coverage. Based on St. Johns River Water Management District mapping data, seagrass coverage increased from 1,237 acres in 2023 to 1,566 acres present in 2025. This represents a 21.00% increase in coverage. Mapping data are taken every two years and 2027 coverage will be available by spring of 2028.
Sediment Health
Sediment health data in the Central Indian River Lagoon are from MRC, Florida Institute of Technology, and Smithsonian Fort Pierce Marine Station research. Although data are sparse, they show good sediment conditions. This is good news for the possibility of future seagrass growth. However, sediment health data are still too limited to draw basin-wide conclusions.
Wastewater Spills
From August 2025 to August 2026, there were 20 wastewater spills that affected the Central Indian River Lagoon watershed with four releasing into the Lagoon. Of those four spills, one released 1,460,000 gallons of treated wastewater and three released a total of 269,000 gallons of untreated wastewater.
Water Quality
Water quality in the Central Indian River Lagoon was “fair” in 2026. This is an improvement from the “poor” assessment in 2025, due to improved phosphorus concentrations. The health indicator assessment is based on averaging the pH, turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a scores in the basin. The Central Indian River Lagoon water quality is broken down below.
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