Originally published by NBC-2 News on October 25, 2022 Many beachgoers are starting to make their return, for some, it’s just looking at the damage, while others are ready to get back in the water. “We’ve gone a few times, yea, it’s been a while since we’ve been able...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 17, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams With two months to go, Florida has already smashed a grim record this year: 65 infections of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially deadly microbe known, though not quite correctly, as...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 15, 2021 by Chad Gillis The Caloosahatchee River got a huge flush of saltwater when Hurricane Ian plowed into the Southwest Florida coast. And then a lot of it roared back, along with plenty of freshwater runoff....
Originally published by NBC-2 News on October 12, 2022 There’s no debate that Hurricane Ian was a disaster for Southwest Florida, leaving many homeless and thousands without power. But for right now, an ecological disaster is still unfolding, as pollution pouring into...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 6, 2022 by Chad Gillis Think twice about going for that dip at the local swimming hole, there could be dangerous bacteria and even industrial chemicals in the water. The Department of Health in Lee County Thursday...
Originally published by ABC-7 News on September 26, 2022 Fecal bacteria is back in Lee County waters, and it’s worse than you think. Over the weekend, the Calusa Waterkeeper, an environmental watchdog in Lee County, surveyed recreational waterways around Lee County...
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on September 20, 2022 and written by John Cassani The latest salvo on Florida’s declining water quality, this time from Florida’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains concludes, “The pollution problem has been...
Calusa Waterkeeper Looking at Effects of Blue-Green Algae Toxins Originally published by WINK News on September 13, 2022 As blue-green algae blooms grow, so do health concerns. Lee County, the Department of Environmental Protection, and FGCU are all monitoring the...
Lee County Partners with Environmental Company to help Treat Blue-Green Algae Originally published by FOX4 News on September 12, 2022 From the greenish color of the water to the odor that comes from it, now the work to handle the blue-green algae bloom is in North...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on September 10, 2022 Cyanobacteria has taken over the canals of Waterway Estates in North Fort Myers, a canal system along the Caloosahatchee River. Photos taken on Wednesday and Thursday show huge, green mats of bad-smelling...
Update on Blue-Green Algae in Little Lake Michigan Canal Originally published by WINK News on September 9, 2022 The blue-green algae in the Little Lake Michigan Canal appears to have been broken up by the recent heavy rain. Just because it is no longer visible on the...
Blue-Green Algae found in North Fort Myers Canal has Homeowners Feeling Uneasy Originally published by FOX4 News on September 8, 2022 Blue-green algae have been found in a North Fort Myers canal and people are not only seeing it but smelling it as well. It blooms...
Originally published by The News-Press on September 7, 2022 by Chad Gillis Lake Okeechobee levels are low with only six weeks left in the rainy season, a scenario that could put sea grasses, oysters and marine critters that rely on the Caloosahatchee River estuary in...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on September 1, 2022 The Estero Council of Community Leaders is holding a town-hall style Public Forum on Greater Estero Water Quality and Environment Actions and Solutions at The Water School at FGCU at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13....
Originally published by The News-Press on August 17, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams A new study by Sarasota’s Roskamp Institute shows breathing red tide toxins can cause neurological problems. Eating red tide-tainted seafood has long been known to make people...
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on August 17, 2022 Waterkeeper Ranger Sue Dahod, facilitator of the Pine Island Algae Bloom Task Force, provided an update on the condition of the water in Matlacha, at the group’s meeting Aug. 10. There is floating mat algae,...
Public Comment Wanted for Lake Okeechobee Water Management Plan Originally published by WINK News on August 16, 2022 The U.S. Army Corps of engineers needs your help on a proposal for Lake Okeechobee. They’re asking for people’s opinions on a plan that would send more...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams If you want to swim in poop-, red tide- or cyanobacteria-contaminated waters, Florida’s health department isn’t going to stop you – in Lee County, at least. When enteric bacteria levels...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Chad Gillis More than four years have passed since a devastating and deadly red tide ravaged Southwest Florida, killing off millions of tons of marine life and shutting down the local tourism industry. And...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 5, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams It was a day of sharp questions and soul-searching as Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force met Thursday for the first time since February. The official theme was a mouthful (stay with...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 1, 2022 by Chad Gillis A blue-green algae bloom is festering again this summer on Lake Okeechobee, the de facto headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River. But lake levels are low, and experts say there is little to no...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on July 22, 2022 The water is not just murky around Matlacha – it’s now appearing milky and the problem is being closely watched by Calusa Waterkeepers. “It’s funny, it wasn’t even here at noon today. Now it’s just coming in with the...
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on July 21, 2022 The Harmful Algae Bloom Task Force met Wednesday, July 13, to discuss possible pertinent information on local water quality, in case it affects public health on Pine Island. The group is made up of a...
Originally published by FOX4 News on July 20, 2022 Last week, Fox 4 told you about high fecal bacteria found at Bonita Beach which led to the Florida Department of Health to advise against swimming in the water. The Calusa Waterkeepers, a local conservation group,...
Originally published by The News-Press on July 19, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The bad news: Sometimes there are unsafe levels of poop at the region’s beaches. The good news: It’s no secret. That means would-be recreators can arm themselves with knowledge...
The Board and staff of Calusa Waterkeeper wish to extend our sincerest condolences for the recent passing of Frank Mann. In honor of the important work that Mr. Mann did while he served as a Lee County Commissioner and other public offices, and after receiving...
Lake Okeechobee sees 240 Square Miles of Blue-Green Algae Originally published by FOX4 News on June 24, 2022 Lake Okeechobee is seeing about 240 square miles of Blue-Green Algae on the north, west, and south shores. That is about a 30% increase over the last two...
Milky White-Colored Water & Fish Kill in Matlacha Pass Originally published by FOX4 News on June 24, 2022 We are learning more about what caused a fish kill in Matlacha Pass last week. NOAA says the fish likely died because of low oxygen levels in the water. They...
Originally published by The News-Press on June 23, 2022 by Chad Gillis A minor algae bloom is lingering along the western rim of Lake Okeechobee, but the Caloosahatchee River looks relatively healthy and experts don’t expect to see a devastating blue-green algae...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on June 16, 2022 Blue-green algae has been found in at least 5 different canals in southeast Cape Coral. The Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, said stormwater runoff and warmer waters are likely to blame. He advises nearby residents...
