CORRECTIONS: WGCU previously reported the orange-brown color comes from excess nutrients, but it's actually caused by plant material. We also reported funding for storage may be difficult to receive, but contracts are currently underway for this project.
Sanibel Island is known for its clear, blue water. Its beaches are expected to draw about 165,000 visitors this year. But right now, the water is orange, brown and even black due to storm water runoff flowing south from the Caloosahatchee watershed. This past week, close to six inches of rain fell on the island. This is the highest freshwater flow of the year.
The waters’ orange-brown color comes from excess nutrients-- that includes fertilizer used on local lands. James Evans is the director of Natural Resources for the city Sanibel. He said these conditions could spawn harmful algal blooms. Evans said the maximum freshwater flows should be around 2800 cubic feet per second.
"And we're, right now, at about 4800 cubic feet per second, so we're significantly above that high flow target," said Evans.
He said local, state and federal partners want to reduce flows by increasing storage within the watershed. But it’s a $600-million project, and Evans said it may be difficult to receive state and federal funds for a project this size. For the time being, he recommends to check bacteria levels on the Florida Health Department “Healthy Beaches Program” website before swimming.
