After a stretch of hurricane and rains since October 2022, the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon is clearing up. The river has endured the “usual suspects” C-44 basin, C-23 canal, C-24 canal, and stromwater runoff; however, luckily no damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
With my husband Ed’s most recent flight, I was pleased to see the blue, clear waters returning to the Sailfish Flats and surrounding waters of the St Lucie Inlet in the vicinity of Sewall’s Point. But I was surprised and a bit disturbed to see a “seagrass desert” once again. Of course seagrass, like all plants, is more abundant and lush in summer months, but to see “nothing?” This seems strange. I need to get in the water with a mask for a closer look!
Let’s compare two photographs, one taken in August 2022 and another taken in January 2023.
I. AERIAL TAKEN January 8, 2023. Water looking clearer but no visible seagrasses.
II. AERIAL TAKEN AUGUST 26, 2022. This photos show regrowth of seagrasses. 
As the August 26, 2022 photograph shows, seagrasses had rebounded in the southern Indian River Lagoon after years of damaging discharges. The worst recent Lake Okeechobee discharges were between the years of 2013 and 2018.
St. Lucie seagrasses are critical water and wildlife habitat. Especially as the seagrasses in the central northern lagoon have disappeared at such an alarming rate that a high number of manatees have starved to death.
In recent years FWC has been feeding Indian River Lagoon manatees romaine lettuce as they have no secure seagrass food source. This is not sustainable. All political policy must specifically support the betterment of water quality and the return of seagrasses of the Indian River Lagoon. This began yesterday with an Executive Order of Governor Ron DeSantis. See section 2.
-ALL OF ED’S AERIALS January 8, 2013, around 12:30pm.
-EXTRA and WONDERFUL NEWS. Click on photos to enlarge.
The next day, January 9th, Ed went flying with artist and friend Geoffrey Smith to relocate a very endangered Right Whale and her calf that Geoffrey had spotted in the Hobe Sound area just south of the St. Luice Inlet, on January 8, 2023. With his permission, I am sharing Geoffrey’s photos.
Wonderful news that our St Lucie is looking better. We must continue to take the protection of seagrasses and water quality seriously.
-Photos and mapping of Right Whale and Calf off of Hobe Sound in Atlantic Ocean. Geoffrey Smith, January 9, 2023.
AREA CANALS DRAINING TO SLR/IRL
Greetings Jacqui, What more can be said of caring and dedicated people like you and Ed. They should erect a monument to you both. Just a thought!
I was wondering though, if there has been any attempt to transplant seagrass in the barren areas? Or, is the water quality unable to support much growth? Just another thought.
Thank you both again.
Florida Oceanographic Society has a large seagrass restoration program. See their website for details and volunteer opportunities!
Thank you for sharing and for all of FOS’s incredible leadership on seagrass restoration.
See this webinar presented by Florida Oceanographic Society. Register at their Coast Lecture Series page.
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
Seagrass Restoration Research in the Indian River Lagoon
Seagrasses have experienced a severe decline in the Indian River Lagoon due to poor water quality. Get caught up on the work that Florida Oceanographic Society scientists are doing to better understand this decline in order to combat seagrass losses in the IRL.
Presented by Dr. Loraé Simpson, Director of Scientific Research and Conservation, Florida Oceanographic Society
Thank you!
Dear Mark, thank you so much for your comment and question. From what I understand seagrass transplanting in the SLR/IRL at this point is very difficult. Florida Oceanographic and others are researching genetically -creating seagrasses that can grow in less light and harsher conditions. This is great but is not the total answer of course. The state must focus on water quality projects and we ALL must adapt our yard etc to pollute waterways the least possible. I think they are looking for volunteers and giving public talks on this issue:
See this webinar presented by Florida Oceanographic Society. Register at their Coast Lecture Series page.
FEBRUARY 28, 2022
Seagrass Restoration Research in the Indian River Lagoon
Seagrasses have experienced a severe decline in the Indian River Lagoon due to poor water quality. Get caught up on the work that Florida Oceanographic Society scientists are doing to better understand this decline in order to combat seagrass losses in the IRL.I do not believe that yet “Seagrass mitigation” can work. One day it will with clearer water!
Presented by Dr. Loraé Simpson, Director of Scientific Research and Conservation, Florida Oceanographic Society
Jacqui:. Love your blogs and the visual evidence you provide about our changing IRL.
I live adjacent to the C-24 at Vikings Landing on the North Fork of the St. Lucie. Recently there was an effort to dredge the Kingsway Canal and Mud Cove to enable property owners to use their boat docks and boats for recreation. I happen to have been closely linked to this effort because of a City stormwater canal directly behind my property. It is supposed to discharge 50,000 l.f. of upstream canals into Mud Cove. Unfortunately for me, it doesn’t drain due to poor engineering, and sits stagnant. Fortunately for the estuary, however, it doesn’t drain into Mud Cove. How are City canals handled in terms of discharge into USCoE or SFWMD regulated waterways? Are they a big fraction of the discharge? Should I be advocating one way or another?
Hi Marcella and thanks for writing. The SFWMD deals with the canals of the Central and Southern Florida Project. That would include C-23 and C-24 and C-25 the other not as you allude to but if you write me at jthurlowlippich@sfwmd.gov I can try to assist you and see what can be done. Please write me there and I hope you get this email.