Fecal indicator bacteria found in water at Pine Island park

Swimmers, beware: What’s in the water would not only make your stomach turn – it could make you sick. The water at a Pine Island park has tested positive for fecal indicator bacteria and there are no warning signs. Tropical Point Park is open for fishing and kayaking, but “swimmers swim at their own risk.” […]

Communities along Caloosahatchee prepare for Lake O water releases

Communities along the Caloosahatchee River are preparing for water releases from Lake Okeechobee this week, and many are wondering what effect it will have on our river, canals and beaches. For one fisherman, it isn’t algae he’s most concerned about, it’s the seagrass and oysters. “It’s just overall destruction of the resource we have out […]

Lake Okeechobee water levels remain high, releases planned

A lot of water from Lake Okeechobee is coming our way. The Army Corps of Engineers said Friday they’ll start releasing water from the lake in a matter of days. The water level right now in Lake O is over 16 feet. Col. Andrew Kelly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said releases from […]

Water main break causes murky water in Fort Myers neighborhood

A water main break Monday afternoon caused some murky water in a Fort Myers neighborhood. Photos were circulating online locally, showing brownish, milky water in the Manuels Branch area, where residents received a precautionary boil water notice. The canal runs from US-41 south of Fort Myers High School to the Caloosahatchee River. “It was definitely […]

Destructive snail species finds its way to South Florida

An invasive species is catching the attention of the whole state. It’s the first time someone has found the horntail snail in the U.S., and it was found in Miami-Dade County. The snail has the potential of hurting people and plants. From basil and cilantro to radish and cabbage, C & B Farms in Clewiston has […]

Balancing act: Lake Okeechobee levels rise, no releases this week

All eyes are on Lake Okeechobee right now as the water creeps higher and higher. Now, it’s at 15.54 (Feet-NGVD29). Still, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who manage lake levels, says it will not release any water from the lake, east or west, this week. Ask any fisherman around Lake O, and they know […]

Researchers take more samples from Billy Creek in Fort Myers

The saga continues over water quality in a Fort Myers waterway. People are concerned about what’s in Billy Creek, so once again, researchers went out Wednesday to take samples of the water. “One of the pillars of our mission is to strive for swimmable water,” said John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper. The Calusa Waterkeeper and an […]

Bioreactor helps with water quality in Bonita Springs

It’s not often you’d want to take a second look at a parking lot, but there’s one in Bonita Springs worth a doubletake. Trouble is, without X-ray vision, you won’t notice what makes it unique. Off Felts Avenue in Bonita Springs is what, at a glance, looks like a plain old parking lot. It’s the […]

UF researcher works with Clewiston farmer to recycle phosphorous

A University of Florida researcher’s idea will help farmers recycle a nutrient and prevent it from getting into our water. Chuck Obern, president of C & B Farms in Clewiston showed WINK News Environmental Reporter Stephanie Byrne how it’s done and why it’s important. Watch the report above.

More blue-green algae spotted in Cape Coral canals

More streaks of blue-green algae have been spotted in Cape Coral canals. Calusa Waterkeeper shared photos on Facebook and said that while the algae is looking better in the Makai Canal, blooms have popped up in other canals, including Shaughnessey, Highlander and Aires. The city said conditions can vary rapidly, especially in the rainy season. […]