Funding & Acknowledgements

The data used in this analysis is from the Export Standardized Tables in the SEACAR Data Discovery Interface (DDI). Documents and information available through the SEACAR DDI are owned by the data provider(s) and users are expected to provide appropriate credit following accepted citation formats. Users are encouraged to access data to maximize utilization of gained knowledge, reducing redundant research and facilitating partnerships and scientific innovation.

With respect to documents and information available from SEACAR DDI, neither the State of Florida nor the Florida Department of Environmental Protection makes any warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use or inability to use the data, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.

This report was funded in part, through a grant agreement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program, by a grant provided by the Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The views, statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of Florida, NOAA or any of their sub agencies.

Published: 2025-10-08

Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L -0.000001 50
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % -0.000001 500
Salinity ppt -0.000001 70
Turbidity NTU -0.000001 4000
Water Temperature Degrees C -5.000000 45
pH None 2.000000 14
Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Ammonia, Un-ionized (NH3) mg/L - -
Ammonium, Filtered (NH4) mg/L - -
Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin ug/L - -
Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin ug/L - -
Colored Dissolved Organic Matter PCU - -
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L -0.000001 25
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % -0.000001 310
Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter QSE - -
Light Extinction Coefficient m^-1 - -
NO2+3, Filtered mg/L - -
Nitrate (NO3) mg/L - -
Nitrite (NO2) mg/L - -
Nitrogen, organic mg/L - -
Phosphate, Filtered (PO4) mg/L - -
Salinity ppt -0.000001 70
Secchi Depth m 0.000001 50
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0.005000 100
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Nitrogen mg/L - -
Total Phosphorus mg/L - -
Total Suspended Solids mg/L - -
Turbidity NTU - -
Water Temperature Degrees C 3.000000 40
pH None 2.000000 13
Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 and 2
SEACAR QAQC Description Include SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds maximum threshold 0 2Q
Below minimum threshold 0 4Q
Within threshold tolerance 1 6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter 1 7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include MDL Description
STORET-WIN H 0 0 Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN J 0 0 Estimated value
STORET-WIN V 0 0 Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN Y 0 0 Lab analysis from an improperly preserved sample; data may be inaccurate

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include Description
SWMP -1 1 Optional parameter not collected
SWMP -2 0 Missing data
SWMP -3 0 Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP -4 0 Outside low sensor range
SWMP -5 0 Outside high sensor range
SWMP 0 1 Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP 1 0 Suspect data
SWMP 2 1 Reserved for future use
SWMP 3 1 Calculated data: non-vented depth/level sensorcorrection for changes in barometric pressure
SWMP 4 1 Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP 5 1 Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the water’s surface to the bottom sediments, and it’s where fish, dolphins, crabs and people swim! So much life makes its home in the water column that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as human economies, depend on the condition of this vulnerable habitat. Local patterns of rainfall, temperature, winds and currents can rapidly change the condition of the water column, while global influences such as El Niño/La Niña, large-scale fluctuation in sea temperatures and climate change can have long-term effects. Inputs from the prosperity of our day-to-day lives including farming, mining and forestry, and emissions from power generation, automobiles and water treatment can also alter the health of the water column. Acting alone or together, each input can have complex and lasting effects on habitats and ecosystems.


SEACAR evaluates water column health with several essential parameters. These include nutrient surveys of nitrogen and phosphorus, and water quality assessments of salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water temperature. Water clarity is evaluated with Secchi depth, turbidity, levels of chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, and colored dissolved organic matter. Additionally, the richness of nekton is indicated by the abundance of free-swimming fishes and macroinvertebrates like crabs and shrimps.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE. The points for all Water Column plots displayed in this section are monthly averages. Trend significance will be denoted as “Significant Trend” (when p < 0.05), or “Non-significant Trend” (when p >= 0.05). Any parameters with insufficient data to perform Seasonal Kendall-Tau test will have their monthly averages plotted without a corresponding trend line.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2025-Sep-04.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2025-Sep-04.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average levels of chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin, over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only laboratory-analyzed chlorophyll a (triangles) is included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average levels of chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin, over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only laboratory-analyzed chlorophyll a (triangles) is included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab Significantly decreasing trend 146 19 2002 - 2025 3.6069 -0.311 5.3353 -0.1546 0

Monthly average chlorophyll a, corrected for pheophytin, decreased by 0.15 µg/L per year, indicating an increase in water clarity.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
505 67 2002 2012
5002 60 2007 2025
540 22 2016 2022

Program names:

505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average levels of chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin, over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only laboratory-analyzed chlorophyll a (triangles) is included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average levels of chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin, over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only laboratory-analyzed chlorophyll a (triangles) is included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab No significant trend 68 13 2001 - 2025 2.8 0.0504 1.501 0.0111 0.9342

Chlorophyll a, uncorrected for pheophytin, showed no detectable trend between 2001 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 46 2007 2025
540 23 2016 2022
514 3 2001 2001
103 2 2004 2015
118 1 2010 2010
115 1 2004 2004

Program names:

103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment6
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program7
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Dissolved Oxygen
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field No significant trend 1119 31 1995 - 2025 7.2 -0.0482 7.348 -0.016 0.1393

Dissolved oxygen showed no detectable trend between 1995 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 817 1995 2025
69 168 2003 2019
505 66 2002 2012
118 41 2015 2021
540 21 2016 2022
103 9 2015 2015
95 4 2000 2017
115 3 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program8
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network9
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment6
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen saturation values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only dissolved oxygen saturation values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field No significant trend 183 17 2002 - 2025 75.6 -0.0935 73.6038 -0.3481 0.3327

Dissolved oxygen saturation showed no detectable trend between 2002 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 124 2014 2025
505 62 2002 2012
95 1 2017 2017

Program names:

95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network9
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

pH - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only pH values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only pH values measured in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for pH
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field Significantly decreasing trend 751 31 1995 - 2025 7.64 -0.2087 7.9838 -0.0179 0

Monthly average pH decreased by 0.02 pH units per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 566 1995 2025
69 160 2003 2019
540 21 2016 2022
103 8 2015 2015
95 3 2014 2017
115 3 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program8
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network9
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Salinity - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines are also shown. Discrete salinity values derived from grab samples analyzed in the field (circles) or the laboratory (triangles) are both included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines are also shown. Discrete salinity values derived from grab samples analyzed in the field (circles) or the laboratory (triangles) are both included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Salinity
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
All Significantly decreasing trend 1252 31 1995 - 2025 11 -0.151 13.384 -0.2225 0.001

Monthly average salinity decreased by 0.22 ppt per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 936 1995 2025
69 180 2003 2019
505 67 2002 2012
118 40 2015 2021
540 19 2016 2022
4044 10 2017 2023
95 4 2000 2017
115 3 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program8
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network9
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment6
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
4044 - NRDA Oyster Cultch Recovery Project10
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Secchi Depth - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average Secchi depth over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Secchi depth is only measured in the field (circles).
Scatter plot of monthly average Secchi depth over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Secchi depth is only measured in the field (circles).
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Secchi Depth
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field Significantly decreasing trend 242 14 2001 - 2025 -0.8 -0.3241 -0.3563 -0.035 0.0081

Monthly average Secchi depth became deeper by 0.04 m per year, indicating an increase in water clarity.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 180 2003 2019
5002 57 2007 2025
514 3 2001 2001
103 1 2015 2015
115 1 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program8
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program7
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Total Nitrogen - Discrete

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

  1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
  2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
  3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
  4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
  5. TN = TKN + NO3;
  6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

  • Rules for use of sample fraction:
    • Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” components are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, then the dissolved components are used as a best available replacement.
    • Total nitrogen calculations are done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions are not used. In other words, total nitrogen can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fractions, or when both are dissolved sample fractions. Future calculations of total nitrogen values may be based on components with mixed sample fractions.
  • Values inserted into data:
    • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
    • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
    • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average total nitrogen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only nitrogen values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average total nitrogen over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only nitrogen values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Total Nitrogen
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab Significantly increasing trend 109 17 2001 - 2025 0.322 0.2395 0.2591 0.011 0.0281

Monthly average total nitrogen increased by 0.01 mg/L per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 62 2001 2025
505 20 2002 2003
540 19 2017 2022
103 4 2004 2004
514 3 2001 2001
115 1 2004 2004

Program names:

103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program7
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Total Phosphorus - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average total phosphorus over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only phosphorus values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average total phosphorus over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only phosphorus values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Total Phosphorus
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab Significantly increasing trend 107 17 2001 - 2025 0.012 0.2714 0.0063 0.0004 0.0186

Monthly average total phosphorus increased by less than 0.01 mg/L per year.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 61 2007 2025
540 22 2016 2022
505 18 2002 2003
103 4 2004 2015
514 3 2001 2001
115 1 2004 2004

Program names:

103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX4
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program7
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average total suspended solids (TSS) over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only TSS values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average total suspended solids (TSS) over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only TSS values obtained from laboratory analyses (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Total Suspended Solids
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab No significant trend 49 10 2009 - 2025 3.24 -0.0088 4.0637 0.0079 0.7404

Total suspended solids showed no detectable trend between 2009 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 38 2016 2025
505 15 2009 2012

Program names:

505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Turbidity - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only turbidity values measured in the laboratory (triangles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only turbidity values measured in the laboratory (triangles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Turbidity
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Lab No significant trend 593 26 1995 - 2025 2.5 0.0844 1.7989 0.015 0.3945

Turbidity showed no detectable trend between 1995 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 573 1995 2025
505 13 2009 2012
540 12 2019 2022
4044 2 2023 2023

Program names:

505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
4044 - NRDA Oyster Cultch Recovery Project10
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Water Temperature - Discrete

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis

Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only water temperature measurements taken in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time. If the time series included ten or more years of discrete observations, a significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend line is also shown. Only water temperature measurements taken in the field (circles) are included in the plot.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis for Water Temperature
Activity Type Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
Field No significant trend 1245 31 1995 - 2025 22 -0.0128 22.1831 -0.0096 0.6147

Water temperature showed no detectable trend between 1995 and 2025.

Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of discrete water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 968 1995 2025
69 182 2003 2019
505 67 2002 2012
540 21 2016 2022
95 4 2000 2017
115 3 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program8
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network9
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program5
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1
540 - Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program2
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN3

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_NW-2025-Sep-19.txt

Continuous monitoring locations in Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

Station overview for Continuous parameters by Program
ProgramID ProgramLocationID Years of Data Use in Analysis Parameters
467 YRMAP1 11 TRUE DO , DOS , pH , Sal , Turb , TempW
505 P11 4 FALSE Turb
505 P11 11 TRUE DO , DOS , Sal , TempW

Program names:

467 - Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Continuous Water Quality Monitoring11
505 - Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program1

Map showing continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis (green) are featured in this report.
Map showing continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis (green) are featured in this report.

Dissolved Oxygen - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Dissolved Oxygen - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 No significant trend 267617 10 2015 - 2025 7.00 -0.04 6.93 -0.01 0.49
P11 No significant trend 131 7 2002 - 2012 6.37 0.04 6.54 0.02 0.49

No detectable change in monthly average dissolved oxygen was observed at two locations.

Map showing location of dissolved oxygen continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of dissolved oxygen continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 No significant trend 273885 10 2015 - 2025 87.50 0.08 86.25 0.25 0.33
P11 No significant trend 126 7 2002 - 2012 79.93 0.09 79.97 1.09 0.71

No detectable change in monthly average dissolved oxygen saturation was observed at two locations.

Map showing location of dissolved oxygen saturation continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of dissolved oxygen saturation continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

pH - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average pH over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for pH - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 No significant trend 282641 10 2015 - 2025 7.6 0.09 7.55 0.01 0.26

No detectable change in monthly average pH was observed at one location.

Map showing location of ph continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of ph continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Salinity - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average salinity over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Salinity - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 Significantly increasing trend 284295 10 2015 - 2025 14.60 0.28 11.88 0.42 0.00
P11 No significant trend 136 7 2002 - 2012 10.05 0.06 11.52 0.15 0.65

At one program location, monthly average salinity increased by 0.42 ppt per year. No detectable change in monthly average salinity was observed at one location.

Map showing location of salinity continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of salinity continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Turbidity - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average turbidity over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Turbidity - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 Significantly decreasing trend 296386 10 2015 - 2025 6 -0.22 12.55 -0.4 0.01
P11 Insufficient data to calculate trend 37 4 2009 - 2012 2 - - - -

At one program location, monthly average turbidity decreased by 0.40 NTU per year. There was insufficient data to fit a model for one location.

Map showing location of turbidity continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of turbidity continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Water Temperature - Continuous

Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Scatter plot of monthly average water temperature over time at continuously monitored program locations. Each location is analyzed separately, with significant (blue) or non-significant (magenta) trend lines shown for time series that included five or more years of observations.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for Water Temperature - All Stations
Station Statistical Trend Sample Count Years with Data Period of Record Median tau Sen Intercept Sen Slope p
YRMAP1 No significant trend 309064 10 2015 - 2025 22.80 0.11 22.91 0.06 0.14
P11 No significant trend 136 7 2002 - 2012 26.22 0.13 25.96 0.10 0.50

No detectable change in monthly average water temperature was observed at two locations.

Map showing location of water temperature continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of water temperature continuous water quality sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Oyster

The data file used is: All_OYSTER_Parameters-2025-Sep-04.txt

Density

Restored

Scatter plot of oyster density over time. If the time series included five or more years with observations, an estimated trend (blue line) and a 95% credible interval (purple band) may also be plotted. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Scatter plot of oyster density over time. If the time series included five or more years with observations, an estimated trend (blue line) and a 95% credible interval (purple band) may also be plotted. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Model results for Oyster Density - Restored
Shell Type Habitat Type Trend Status Estimate Standard Error Credible Interval
Live Oysters Restored Significantly increasing trend 9.92 21.37 5.64 to 23.87

For natural reefs, there was insufficient data to calculate a trend for density. For restored reefs, density increased by an average of 9.92 oysters per square meter per year.

Map showing location of oyster density sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of oyster density sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Percent Live

Restored

Scatter plot of percent live oysters over time. If the time series included five or more years with observations, an estimated trend (blue line) and a 95% credible interval (purple band) may also be plotted. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Scatter plot of percent live oysters over time. If the time series included five or more years with observations, an estimated trend (blue line) and a 95% credible interval (purple band) may also be plotted. Data points are jittered horizontally to reduce overlap.
Model results for Oyster Percent Live - Restored
Shell Type Habitat Type Trend Status Estimate Standard Error Credible Interval
Live Oysters Restored Significantly increasing trend 6.86 0.6 7 to 6.7

For restored reefs, percent live cover increased by an average of 6.86% per year.

Map showing location of oyster percent live sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of oyster percent live sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

Shell Height

Restored

Model results for Oyster Shell Height - Restored
Shell Type SizeClass Habitat Type Trend Status Estimate Standard Error Credible Interval
Live Oysters Restored - - - -
Live Oysters >75mm Restored - - - -
Live Oysters 25-75mm Restored Significantly increasing trend 3.19 1.22 1.47 to 6.2

For natural reefs, there was insufficient data to calculate a trend for live oysters in either the 25-75mm or the ≥75mm size class. For restored reefs, annual average live oyster shell height in the 25-75mm size class increased by 3.19 mm per year, and there was insufficient data to calculate a trend for live oysters in the ≥75mm size class.

Map showing location of oyster shell height sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.
Map showing location of oyster shell height sampling locations within the boundaries of Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The bubble size on the maps above reflect the amount of data available at each sampling site.

References

1.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Gulf Ecology Division. Pensacola Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program. (2016).
2.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) - Division of Aquaculture. Shellfish Harvest Area Classification Program. (2022).
3.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Florida STORET / WIN. (2024).
4.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)/WQX. (2023).
5.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Office of Research and Development. Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program. (2004).
6.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Office of Water; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); National Estuary Program (NEP); coastal states. National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment. (2021).
7.
University of Florida (UF); Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Florida LAKEWATCH Program. (2024).
8.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program. (2022).
9.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network. (2018).
10.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves. NRDA Oyster Cultch Recovery Project. (2024).
11.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection (RCP); Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves. Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Continuous Water Quality Monitoring. (2024).