Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Calusa Waterkeeper Finds Evidence of Human Fecal Contamination in Manuel’s Branch After Two-Year Investigation
A two-year investigation by local environmental group Calusa Waterkeeper has found evidence of human-source fecal contamination in Manuel’s Branch, a small urban creek located just south of Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers.
Calusa Waterkeeper Publishes Human Source Tracking Investigation of Fecal Bacteria Pollution in Fort Myers Waterbody
Calusa Waterkeeper volunteers and staff have collected evidence of persistent human sources of fecal contamination to Manuel’s Branch. The group will be presenting to the City of Fort Myers Environmental Advisory Board on December 2nd, 2025.
EPA’s Narrowed Definition of WOTUS Threatens Water Quality
By narrowing the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act, this reinterpretation removes federal safeguards from many rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and other vital waterways.
DEEP DIVE: These chemicals kill toxic algae. But are they safe?
“I observed the (LakeGuard Oxy) application near Franklin Lock and Dam for 13 consecutive days and witnessed numerous label violations,” Cassani said.
Beach Nourishments: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
If you’ve ever watched young children at the beach making sandcastles while fighting against occasional waves breaking over their hard-won efforts, you can appreciate the futility of beach nourishments.
Mangroves and mega-yachts: Tarpon Point Marina rebuild sparks mixed reactions
Along the mangroves, heavy equipment and a barge can be seen working on a project that will add 41 new boat slips to the marina, expanding its capacity from 225 to 266. While it’s a relatively small expansion on paper, people who kayak and fish in the area say it’s a big deal because of what lives just below the surface.
Caloosahatchee reservoir was not operational this past rainy season
Crucial Caloosahatchee River reservoir delayed yet again. Governor said the project would be ready. River advocates say it’s not.
Is it safe to go in the water at Fort Myers Beach? Tests had shown poor water quality
Florida determines beach water quality based on Enterococcus levels. A measurement of 70.5 or more cells per milliliter of water is classified as “poor” and may trigger a public health advisory. The Sept. 17 sample showed greater than 2,010 Enterococci per milliliter, a level Calusa Waterkeeper emeritus John Cassani called “very high.”
Sawfish as the “Canary in the Coal Mine” for the Caloosahatchee River
The smalltooth sawfish is the center piece of Calusa Waterkeeper’s logo and represents our keystone species for the Caloosahatchee.
Fort Myers Beach fecal bacteria: Don’t go in the water at Bowditch Point, officials say
Stay out of the water at Fort Myers Beach’s Bowditch Point Park, warns Lee County’s health department: There’s too much fecal bacteria – more than 28 times the safety threshold – and it might make you sick.
Lake O ‘dirtiest’ U.S. lake? Well, there may be more to it than that
Water experts in Florida agree, as well as take exception, to a new report that says Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the United States.
Calusa Waterkeeper to Host State of Our Water Meeting October 11th
Calusa Waterkeeper has invited Michele Arquette-Palermo of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to be its guest speaker at its quarterly State of Our Water meeting to discuss the connection between environmental health and economic prosperity, and why safeguarding our waters is an urgent community responsibility.