The Problems Plaguing the Lagoon
1. The brown algae that caused so much damage to the Indian River Lagoon in 2011-2012 has returned with a vengeance and was responsible for the massive fish kills in March 2016. In addition, other varieties of algae are also causing damage to the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem.
2. The discharge of nutrient-laden waters from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon is killing the lagoon.
3. The years of muck on the bottom of the Indian River Lagoon has created dead zones and contributes to algae blooms.
4. The overuse of fertilizer and weed killers that make their way into the Indian River Lagoon is adding to the algae blooms. Weed killing chemicals and insecticides are toxic to people and wildlife.
5. The loss of seagrass. Seagrass cannot survive in water that has poor turbidity (clarity). Seagrass is the keystone species that provides food and shelter for shrimp, fish and manatees.
6. The loss of oyster reefs. One healthy oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.
7. The loss of mangroves. Mangroves are important to the health of the lagoon.
8. There are over 250,000 septic tanks that are in the Indian River Lagoon watershed and many of those are failing and should be replaced or tied into modern sewerage treatment plants.
9. During rainy days, surface water enters the Indian River Lagoon, bringing with it all types of pollution including grass clippings, leaves, animal waste, road oil, sand and soil.
10. Sewage plant discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that still contain high levels of nutrients.
11. Sewage plants still occasionally discharge into the IRL, adding nutrients and pharmaceuticals.
13. Power plants intakes and discharges affect the lagoon.
14. The health of the Indian River Lagoon has not been a priority for those in power.
2. The discharge of nutrient-laden waters from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon is killing the lagoon.
3. The years of muck on the bottom of the Indian River Lagoon has created dead zones and contributes to algae blooms.
4. The overuse of fertilizer and weed killers that make their way into the Indian River Lagoon is adding to the algae blooms. Weed killing chemicals and insecticides are toxic to people and wildlife.
5. The loss of seagrass. Seagrass cannot survive in water that has poor turbidity (clarity). Seagrass is the keystone species that provides food and shelter for shrimp, fish and manatees.
6. The loss of oyster reefs. One healthy oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.
7. The loss of mangroves. Mangroves are important to the health of the lagoon.
8. There are over 250,000 septic tanks that are in the Indian River Lagoon watershed and many of those are failing and should be replaced or tied into modern sewerage treatment plants.
9. During rainy days, surface water enters the Indian River Lagoon, bringing with it all types of pollution including grass clippings, leaves, animal waste, road oil, sand and soil.
10. Sewage plant discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that still contain high levels of nutrients.
11. Sewage plants still occasionally discharge into the IRL, adding nutrients and pharmaceuticals.
13. Power plants intakes and discharges affect the lagoon.
14. The health of the Indian River Lagoon has not been a priority for those in power.