INDIAN RIVER LAGOON
In terms of estuarine resources the water quality in the Indian River Lagoon, City of Rockledge is very, very poor indicated by almost complete loss of seagrass (largely disappeared by 1974), increasing nitrogen levels, and deep sediment layers of “muck” (black ooze bottom deposits dated to human activities in the upland watershed over the past 30 years).
The greatest negative effect on the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon appears to be stormwater runoff conveyed through the canals and stormwater drains. Water quality will only approve with a vigorous and comprehensive reduction in the volume of stormwater.
Reduction in the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers in the City will help ease pollution flow through canals, stormdrains, and direct runoff into our beautiful, natural resource the Indian River Lagoon.
The
above is an excerpt from the Rockledge Conservation Study, 1991.
Copies are available at Rockledge City Hall.