Explore general as well as scientific information about the movement, chemistry and biology of area surface water environments.
The data on this page are designed to give you a picture of the total health of this waterbody. Click the "Learn More" text to learn more about each parameter shown and how it indicates Water Quality.
Water Quality Index (WQI) is an average of 5 different parameters giving a river a good (0-45), fair (45-60), or poor (60+) rating. Learn more about the Water Quality Index »
Although present in all surface waters, nutrients are among the leading causes of degradation of Florida water resources. Learn more about nutrient chemistry »
Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
Total Nitrogen (TN) |
518.0 ug/l
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
30.0 - 9,600.0 ug/L
1,350 samples |
|
Total Phosphorus (TP) |
19.0 ug/L
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
19.0 - 1,940.0 ug/L
1,524 samples |
|
Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin ![]() |
2.6 ug/L
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
0.4 - 84.5 ug/L
1,202 samples |
|
Chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin ![]() |
1.5 ug/L
Source: FDEP Ambient Monitoring Sampling Data |
0.2 - 95.2 ug/L
258 samples |
|
Water clarity or turbidity measures the degree to which light is blocked because the water is cloudy or contains suspended particles, such as algae. Water clarity is one indicator of a waterbody's ability to sustain plants and wildlife. Learn more about water clarity »
The currently used bacterial indicators for recreational waters include total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus. Indicator organisms themselves are not necessarily pathogenic but their presence "indicates" or suggests recent contamination by human sewage or other waste which may result in human illness. Sources of contamination include storm water runoff, sewage overflows and feces from wild and domestic animals. Learn more about bacteria »
Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
Fecal Coliform |
39 CFU/100ml
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
1 - 20,000 CFU/100ml
1,851 samples |
|
Total Coliform |
65 CFU/100ml
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
0 - 240,000 CFU/100ml
1,450 samples |
|
Enterococcus |
31 CFU/100ml Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
1 - 2,419 CFU/100ml
187 samples |
|
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is one of the most important indicators of water quality. It is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. Learn more about dissolved oxygen »
Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
Dissolved Oxygen |
7.0 mg/l
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
0.1 - 28,740.0 mg/l
1,794 samples |
Parameter | Latest Value | Historic Range | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
Salinity |
22.9 ppt
Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data |
0.0 - 45.4 ppt
862 samples |
The Impaired Waters Data is the most recent available data from FDEP, but it may not reflect the current FDEP impaired list. These data are updated when and as soon as they are made available from FDEP.
All natural water resources in this county are designated as Class III waters except for parts of the Manatee River and its tributaries upstream of
the Rye Road Bridge and parts of the Braden River and its tributaries upstream of the Evers Reservoir dam which are Class I. The Gulf and Coastal
Waters of Tampa Bay, including the coastal waters of Manatee County and the lower Manatee River which are all Class II. Class III waters are
considered recreational use waters, which means that the water should be fishable and swimmable. Class II waters are predominately marine waters
suitable for shellfish propagation and harvesting. Class I waters are freshwaters considered suitable for potable (drinkable) water supplies.
Many water resources exist in Manatee County whose primary purposes are the treatment and conveyance of stormwater. These water resources include ditches,
canals, and ponds that are designed and maintained for flood control or stormwater management. In addition, some water resources have been created
for industrial wastewater treatment. These are identified in the "Industrial Waterbodies" theme on the Water Atlas map. State water
classifications do not normally apply to the above water resources. None should be considered "fishable or swimmable."
Learn more about impaired waters »
This waterbody has been associated with the following WBIDs deemed impaired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
WBID | Basin | Impairment(s) |
---|---|---|
1876 | BRADEN RIVER BELOW WARD LAKE | FECAL COLIFORM |
Source(s): Florida Department of Environmental Protection
This waterbody has been associated with the following WBIDs deemed impaired by the Environmental Protection Agency's 303(d) list:
WBID | Basin | Impairment(s) | EPA Details |
---|---|---|---|
1876 | BRADEN RIVER BELOW WARD LAKE | FECAL COLIFORM, MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE | View additional EPA information » |
1876A | BRADEN RIVER NEAR GIRL SCOUT CAMP | MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE | View additional EPA information » |
1876B | BRADEN RIVER NEAR ELLWOOD PARK | MERCURY IN FISH TISSUE | View additional EPA information » |
1914 | BRADEN RIVER ABOVE WARD LAKE | CHLOROPHYLL-A, DISSOLVED OXYGEN, FECAL COLIFORM | View additional EPA information » |
Source(s): US Environmental Protection Agency
Data Download and Advanced Graphing Tool
Download and/or graph water quality, hydrology, and rainfall trends using the data presented on the Atlas for use in your own analyses and reports.