1/4/25 - Lagoon average surface water temperature for Saturday, 25-01-04, has decreased  ~7.6 degrees F compared to our 24-12-19 outing and was  a comfortable (for snowbirds and polar bear dips 😊) ~56.8 degrees F. Surface water salinities, compared with our 24-12-19 outing, remain high in the Central Lagoon and reflect recent, rain and aquifer-associated, fresh water inputs in the eastern Lagoon and Gator Lake. Dissolved oxygen levels and saturations remain very high and were significantly above the regulatory threshold of 5.0 MG/L at all sampling sites.  Lagoon water clarity was excellent, with the secchi device on bottom at all Lagoon sites. The secchi measurements all being on bottom means water clarity is greater than what we measured. The bacteria report was excellent!  Phytoplankton diversity and abundance continues to ramp up, especially with Diatoms. The sometimes toxic Diatom Pseudo-nitzschia (neurotoxin producer, Domoic Acid), was present at all sites across the Lagoon and was blooming at moderate to high levels in the NW and SW Lagoon. The non-toxic Diatom Chaetoceros (AKA fish food) was abundant across the Lagoon and was present at moderate to high bloom levels in the NE and NW Lagoon, and very high bloom levels in the SW Lagoon.  Our historical data shows these blooms are not unusual this time of year.

GSU had a short duration <1,000 gallon SSO (sanitary sewer overflow) on Thursday, Jan 2, at their Original Oyster House lift station 2 days prior to our sampling. Apparently a broken air relief valve was the issue. In their SSO for the spill GSU indicated none of the sewage reached the nearby Bayou which flows a short distance to the Lagoon. Our excellent bacteria levels at our Site 1-SE and Site 1-SE OG locations in this report basically confirm that.  

ALDOT completed their most recent dredging cycle on Thursday, Jan 2.  With the removal of the large shoal north of the pass bridge, there appears to be a return to robust circulation and flushing. As of this morning, there does appear to be a return of some shoaling in the usual location(s) north of the bridge. Hoping the brisk northerlies and associated drop in Lagoon water levels associated with the current cold front will “blow out” the channel shoaling. The dredge is currently scheduled to resume flood shoal dredging in the northern parts of the pass.   

Our next outing is scheduled for Thursday, January  16^th  at 9AM.  Team 2 members, Graham, Avery, Beth, and Allen are up for that outing. 

25-01-04 WQ Data.pdf