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)	960.0 ug/l 12/9/2015 Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data	30.0 - 9,600.0 ug/L 6/8/1970 - 12/9/2015 1,255 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Total Phosphorus (TP)	56.0 ug/L 12/9/2015 Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data	20.0 - 1,940.0 ug/L 5/1/1968 - 12/9/2015 1,395 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin	1.7 ug/L 12/9/2015 Source: Manatee County Environmental Management Sampling Data	0.4 - 84.5 ug/L 5/25/1983 - 12/9/2015 1,091 samples	2 Year Graph 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data
Chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin	1.5 ug/L 4/7/2010 Source: FDEP Ambient Monitoring Sampling Data	0.2 - 95.2 ug/L 5/25/1983 - 4/7/2010 258 samples	2 Year Trend Graph - Old/Insufficient Data 10 Year Graph Seasonal Variation Graph Download this data

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 »

Whole River Range

As of 12/9/2015,
Average turbidity is higher than it has been historically.

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 »

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 »

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 »

Pollutants

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, MERCURY (IN FISH TISSUE)
1876A	BRADEN RIVER NEAR GIRL SCOUT CAMP	MERCURY (IN FISH TISSUE)
1876B	BRADEN RIVER NEAR ELLWOOD PARK	MERCURY (IN FISH TISSUE)
1914	BRADEN RIVER ABOVE 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

• View map of WBID boundaries and verified impairments within the mapping interface

 

• Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs)
• BMAP for the Implementation of TMDLs for Nutrients and Fecal Coliforms in the Manatee River Basin - FINAL; WBIDs 1913, 1914, 1923, 1926
• Florida DEP Final TMDL Documents
• Florida DEP TMDL/BMAP Development Schedule Strategy FY2016-2022
• Florida Impaired Waters Lists - Comprehensive listing of impaired water resources in Florida and their current status.
• Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Chapter 62-304 of the Florida Administrative Code

Submit a suggestion for a document or link

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.