Indian River Lagoon Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary including the Banana River, Indian River, and Mosquito lagoons.

Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Questions

Where is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary located?

From it's northern boundary at Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County, Florida, the 156 mile long National Estuary ranges across Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties, to it's southern boundary at Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County.

Coordinates:
Northern Boundary (Ponce De Leon Inlet): 29°04'31.1"N 80°55'12.3"W | 29.075304, -80.920087
Southern Boundary (Jupiter Inlet): 26°56'47.1"N 80°04'47.8"W | 26.946422, -80.079933

What is a lagoon?

A lagoon is a shallow stretch of salt or brackish water, partly or completely separated from a sea or lake by an offshore reef, barrier island or sandbank. The word "lagoon" derives from the Italian word laguna, which means "pond" or "lake."

What is an estuary?

Estuaries are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Estuaries are home to unique plant and animal communities that have adapted to brackish water.

What type of estuary is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary?

The Banana River, Indian River and Mosquito lagoons are bar-built estuaries, formed by ocean waves pushing sand up to form a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the mainland. The shallow coastal lagoons receive water from ocean inlets and freshwater rivers.

Is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary freshwater or saltwater?

The estuary's "brackish water" lagoons are a mixture of saltwater from five Atlantic Ocean inlets and freshwater from numerous wetlands, creeks, rivers and canals. The salinity of the brackish water varies with the amount of freshwater rainfall and strength of ocean tides.

How long is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary?

From it's northern boundary at Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County, Florida to it's southern boundary at Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary is 156 miles long.  

How big is the Indian River Lagoon estuary?

The 156 mile long Indian River Lagoon National Estuary has 353 square miles of surface water area within it's 2,284 square mile watershed. 

How deep is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary?

The brackish water lagoons within the national estuary average 4ft in depth with large seagrass flats running 2ft and less in depth. Man-made adaptations such as dredged canals, marinas, and navigation channels are maintained at deeper depths. In the national estuary, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) navigation channel is maintained at a 10-12ft depth. 

Why is the Indian River Lagoon clear in the spring and murky in the summer?

Florida's seasonal droughts bring clarity to the estuary's lagoons. The annual decrease in stormwater run-off means less pollution flowing into the estuary, and clearer water in the lagoons. Summer's frequent rains increase stormwater run-off and the estuary's brackish water becomes murky again.

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. The river smells strongest at the causeways, where the detritus piles up due to restricted water flow.

What is the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP)?

Florida's Banana River, Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons were recognized as an Estuary of National Significance and placed in the  Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program in 1990. The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) is managed by the IRL Council, a special district of the State of Florida.

Banana River Questions

Where is the Banana River Lagoon located?

Banana River lagoon lies between Titusville and Indian Harbour Beach in Brevard County, Florida. It is bounded by Merritt Island on the western shore and Brevard's beach barrier island on the eastern shore. Much of the Banana River lagoon lies within Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and is off-limits to the public.

Coordinates: 28°27'30.5"N 80°37'27.7"W | GIS:28.458480, -80.624358

How big is the Banana River?

Ranging from Banana Creek in Titusville to Dragon's Point at the southernmost tip of Merritt Island, the 30,000 acre Banana River lagoon is 31 miles long. 

Indian River Questions

Where is the Indian River located?

The Indian River ranges 121 miles from Turnbull Creek near Scottsmoor southward to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Coordinates: 28°04'46.1"N 80°35'16.9"W | GIS: 28.079483, -80.588031

How big is the Indian River?

Spanning across five east Florida counties, the 121 mile long Indian River sub-basin is the largest waterbody within the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary.

Mosquito Lagoon Questions

Where is Mosquito Lagoon located?

Mosquito Lagoon lies between New Smyrna Beach and Playalinda Beach on Florida's east coast. The lagoon is bounded by Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to the west, and the Canaveral National Seashore barrier island to the east. The northern end of Mosquito Lagoon is at Ponce de Leon Inlet, and the south end lies within salt marshes near Max Hoeck Back Creek in Kennedy Space Center.

Coordinates: 28°47'51.1"N 80°46'45.2"W | GIS: 28.797532, -80.779221

How big is Mosquito Lagoon?

At 21 miles long, 31,000 acre Mosquito Lagoon is the second largest waterbody in the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary.

What aquatic animals live in the Mosquito Lagoon?

Mosquito Lagoon has a large resident population of Bottlenose dolphins along with regular visits from West Indian manatees, Blacktip sharks and juvenile sea turtles. The lagoon is a popular speckled trout and red drum sport fishery. Part of Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve has been set aside by the State of Florida for oyster and clam harvesting.