The water is generally safe for swimming, officials assure . But, as always, that depends. Inlets to flush out a balmy, stagnant lagoon are few-and-far-between. Bacteria can spike after heavy rains, with no water tests to warn the public, as on the county’s ocean beaches.
Are there alligators in the Indian River?
The Indian River is not actually a river at all .
You get a mix of salt and fresh-water birds and wildlife in the lagoon. Dolphins, pelicans and manta rays stay in the saltier water, and manatees, alligators and otters stay mostly in the fresh water.
Is it safe to swim in the Indian River?
Bacteria warning: Don’t go swimming in Indian River Lagoon at Jaycee Park in Fort Pierce. ... Enteric bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Potential health risks for people who ingest or come in contact with the water include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.
Are there sharks in the Indian River?
The Indian River Lagoon is a bull shark nursery , according to the University of Florida. Young bull sharks typically use the area until they are about 9 years old, and then move into an adult habitat offshore, George Burgess, Florida Program for Shark Research director, said in an article.
Is the Indian River fresh or saltwater?
The Indian River is not a river at all, but, more precisely, an estuary and a lagoon. It is a place where saltwater (from the ocean) and freshwater (from the mainland) meet to form brackish water. The saltwater comes from the ocean through inlets like the Sebastian Inlet.
Is it safe to swim in the Indian River in Florida 2020?
Bacteria warning: Don’t go swimming in Indian River Lagoon at Jaycee Park in Fort Pierce. ... Enteric bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Potential health risks for people who ingest or come in contact with the water include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.
What lives in the Indian River?
These sea grass communities provide spawning, nursery, and foraging habitat for many aquatic species, including spotted sea trout , redfish (red drum), snook, tarpon, mullet, sheepshead, pompano, seahorses, blue crabs, hermit crabs, pink shrimp, scallops, clams, marine worms, marine snails, and other crustaceans.
Why does the Indian River look green?
– Algae blooms are turning parts of the Indian River Lagoon green again in Brevard County. Samples taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection show there have been several confirmed sites of the harmful algae, known to cause fish kills and poor air quality, during the past two months.
Is the Indian River polluted?
There is an ecological crisis in Indian River Lagoon. There is an ecological crisis in Indian River Lagoon. Large quantities of water with high levels of nutrient pollution from Lake Okeechobee and the St. ... Harmful bacteria have also been detected in some areas, making the water dangerous for human contact.
Is it safe to swim in the Indian River in Florida 2021?
Bacteria warning: Don’t swim in water in Indian River Lagoon at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Don’t swim in the Indian River Lagoon around Coconut Point at Sebastian Inlet State Park. ... The health department considers levels above 70 enteric bacteria colonies in a 100-milliliter water sample to be unsafe.
Is Vero Beach a rich area?
The per capita income in Vero Beach in 2018 was $43,537, which is wealthy relative to Florida and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $174,148 for a family of four. However, Vero Beach contains both very wealthy and poor people as well . Vero Beach is a very ethnically-diverse city.
Do lemon sharks like humans?
Since these sharks are gentle animals and generally non-aggressive towards humans , they are very popular shark divers. There has never been a recorded fatality due to a Lemon Shark bite and most bites are the result of the shark being spooked.
Does Vero Beach have alligators?
Florida’s got over 660 miles of beaches. Florida’s got alligators in 67 counties . ... Near the beach, you’d find Vero Beach’s The Moorings, a gated golf community, as reported by Treasure Coast Newspapers. A woman called 911 after seeing the gator while walking her dogs.
Why does the Indian River smell?
Why does the Indian River Lagoon smell? During the hot summer months, decomposing seagrass, alga, and bacteria blow onto shore and bake in the heat. The decaying organic matter emits sulfur dioxide gas, which has a odor similiar to rotting eggs .
What fish are biting in Indian River?
Snook, trout and redfish will be plentiful as the bait moves out of the creeks! The fishing on the beach and in the inlet has been on fire with bull redfish and tarpon being chasing the schools of migrating mullet.
