Three areas of the St. Lucie River Estuary graded as “poor” or “destructive

Three areas of the St. Lucie River Estuary graded as “poor” or “destructive

TreasureCoast, Fl- Three areas of the St. Lucie River Estuary were graded as “poor” or “destructive,” based on recent water quality testing reported by the Florida Oceanographic Society.

While the estuary’s overall grade of 75%, or C, is considered satisfactory, the Winding North Fork received a 66 percent grade, making its quality poor, or a D. The South Fork earned a 61 percent, also poor, while the Winding South Fork was given a score of 56 percent, considered destructive and earning a letter grade of F.

The testing measures water temperature, pH, visibility, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. The latest testing, done on Thursday, tested samples from 10 different areas of the estuary. Two areas were rated A, or ideal. Those were the Narrow Middle River and the Inlet Area. The Indian River Lagoon and Intracoastal Waterway South both earned B’s, or “good.”

Three other areas, the North Fork, Wide Middle River and Manatee Pocket, all earned C’s.

For more information or to view past reports, visithttps://www.floridaocean.org/water-quality