06-11-2026 – The Lagoon-wide average surface water temperature was a balmy 85.0°F (29.4°C), an increase of ~2.1°F from our last outing. Air temperatures were similar, averaging 84.5°F (29.2°C) under sunny skies.
Salinity across the Lagoon has decreased since late May, with an average of 22.3 ppt. This suggests recent rain and aquifer input, which is most evident at the eastern end where LLSB measured 9.72 ppt and LLSE was 14.63 ppt. The western sites remained saltier, with LLSW at 30.48 ppt and LLNW at 29.82 ppt. Research has shown that the two strongest aquifer input points are the eastern and, to a lesser extent, the western most parts of the Lagoon. Gator Lake salinity for this outing was 21.72 ppt. This is above the historical average salinity for the small blackwater lake (14.29 ppt) which is also tidally influenced by the Lagoon. Apparently the ridge and swale topography and surficial aquifer west of Gator Lake are still recovering from severe drought experienced earlier this year and Gator Lake is still saltier than its historical average.
Dissolved oxygen levels were a bit concerning this outing, with the Lagoon-wide average of 4.68 mg/L falling below the regulatory threshold of 5.0 MG/L. Several sites were below that regulatory threshold, including LLSB (8th St. Bayou) at 3.97 mg/L, LLGL (Gator Lake) at 4.13 mg/L, and LLSE at 4.42 mg/L. The western and northeastern sites remained above the threshold, with LLSW at 5.14 mg/L, LLNW at 5.1 mg/L, and LLNE at 5.35 mg/L. These dissolved oxygen levels are not unexpected for this time of year as the Lagoon heats up..
Water clarity was lowest at LLSW with a Secchi depth of 0.7 meters, while LLNE and LLSE both measured 0.9 meters and LLNW was slightly better at 0.95 meters. Interestingly, a qualitative estimate of tiny cyanobacteria at LLSW indicated a higher level of cyanobacteria there and the diversity and abundance of dinoflagellates was high there as well.
Bacteria levels were elevated across the Lagoon. Total coliforms were very high at all main Lagoon sites, with counts ranging from 2500 CFU/100ml at LLSW to a peak of 5800 CFU/100ml at LLNW. These levels represent a significant increase at the western sites compared to our previous sampling. Gator Lake (LLGL) had a low reading of 300 CFU/100ml. E. coli was detected only at LLSE with a reading of 100 CFU/100ml, which is below the recreational swimming threshold. Again, swimmers may wish to avoid Lagoon waters immediately after heavy rain. It is worth noting that we had a ~2” rain event 5 days before this outing along with elevated Lagoon water levels due to low pressure along a frontal boundary.
In our phytoplankton survey, no species were found at bloom levels, but several toxic species were present. The Florida red tide organism, *Karenia brevis*, was detected at a low background level at LLSW. *Gymnodinium*, another potential red tide former, was present at the SE, SW, and NW sites. *Chattonella*, a species that can be harmful to fish, was found at the NW and NE sites. Low levels of the common dinoflagellate *Karlodinium* were also observed at the SW, NW, and NE sites. Overall, abundances were relatively low (especially compared to Spring diatom levels). Dinoflagellate diversity and abundance increased to the west in the Lagoon at LLNW and especially at LLSW.
As predicted, the dredger is dredging north and is dredging a “wider” pass channel north of the bridge. Progress has been fairly good recently and the dredge is currently over half way to the end of the seawall on the western bank of the pass. Worth noting is the channel which was dredged on their first pass heading south is nearly shoaled over. Significant shoaling at the pass mouth, south of the end of the sea walls, is also apparent. This is due to the low pressure system we got 5 days before this outing. A tortuous channel to the Gulf exists at the end of the pass walls and this could be a problem in the near future.
Team 1 (Lloyd, Renee, Joe, and Laurie) are up for our next outing on Saturday, June 27th at 8AM.
-- Reported by Dennis Hatfield, President of LLPS
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