High salinity levels pose risk in Sanibel's water and beyond

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

Conservationists on Sanibel Island are raising concerns about excessive salinity levels in the Caloosahatchee Estuary, which pose a risk to marine life due to insufficient freshwater flow.

People visiting the Sanibel Causeway beaches, like Mike Crapo, said they'd never know there was a problem based on the color.

"The turquoise water out there, it's beautiful," Crapo said.

The bright blue waters of the Gulf Coast, particularly in places like San Carlos Bay, are a major draw for visitors, but scientists with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation said it's an indirect sign of too many dissolved salts in the water.

"When the estuary looks as good as it does, if you're out on the water, you're on the beach, you're driving across the causeway, and you look and see that water, it looks crystal clear," said policy director Matt DePaolis. "It looks like it's the Keys here right now. I wish that was indicative of very healthy water, but it's not."

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reports that the flow of freshwater released at Alva's Franklin Lock from Lake Okeechobee has been below the state-mandated level for over 100 days.

DePaolis said a proper balance of salt and fresh water directly affects the marine ecosystems.

"The estuary really needs to exist in this Goldilocks zone. We need a balance of freshwater and saltwater," DePaolis said.

DePaolis warned that without this balance, oysters, tape grass and fish that feed off the seabed could suffer.

"A couple of years from now, we're going to be wondering where the seatrout are, where the snook are," he said.

However, the South Florida Water Management District said it is meeting the minimum flow requirement, acknowledging concerns but noting a current water shortage warning. The district assures it is working to ensure both people and the environment have sufficient freshwater and plans to send more freshwater to the estuary once more water is available.

The Water Management District mentioned that the new Caloosahatchee Reservoir should help alleviate the problem in the future. The Army Corps of Engineers stated that its fill and test phase could take between two and three years to complete. Once completed, both groups believe it will aid in delivering more freshwater down the river into the bays.

DePaolis still emphasized the need for the water, noting that the estuary is an important stakeholder.

"Our ask is very simple," DePaolis said. "We just need more water."

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.