Sarasota County Water Atlas


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Lemon Bay Watershed

Lemon Bay Watershed

Map

The Lemon Bay Watershed spans a total of 74.5 square miles, 71% of which lies within Sarasota County. The area within the county, totaling 52.6 square miles, is the only portion of the watershed for which information is available on the Sarasota County Water Atlas. The watershed contains 63 named lakes/ponds, 46 named rivers/streams/canals and 2 named bays/bayous.

Watershed Management Plan

A watershed management plan defines and addresses existing or future water quality problems.

Experience has shown that effective watershed management includes active participation from stakeholders, analysis of the specific causes and sources of water quality problems, identification of measurable water quality goals, and implementation of specific actions needed to solve those problems.

View Management Plans for Sarasota Watersheds »

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Map Legend

Water Quality sampling site
Hydrology sampling site
Closest Rainfall site
Rainfall sampling site
Multi-type sampling site
Other sampling site

Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team

The Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST) concept is based on the idea of promoting neighborhood involvement in environmentally friendly projects to protect and restore our water resources. The NEST program projects focus on providing watershed education and getting neighbors involved in activities that improve their neighborhoods and enhance their watershed. The program goal is to help citizens and neighborhoods become advocates and champions for the watersheds they live in. The NEST program was developed in response to a need to get citizens and the general public better educated and more involved in the management and protection of the water resources of Sarasota County.

Below are NEST sites found in the Lemon Bay Watershed

 

Drainage Basins

Watersheds are areas of land with waterways that flow to a common destination. The boundaries between watersheds are elevated areas called divides. In this Atlas, the watersheds are composed of groups of creeks that flow to a single bay or group of bays. Drainage basins are subunits of watersheds and are defined by the main creek that flows through them. Sarasota County has five watersheds, named after the bays or river, and 28 drainage basins, named after the creeks. Stormwater improvements to reduce flooding and improve water quality are based on the drainage basin unit. Learn more about watersheds »

Specific drainage basins within this watershed include:

Rainfall

Rainfall amounts vary widely over short distances in Florida and are typically recorded at numerous locations by multiple agencies. This table provides a rough comparison of the total rainfall within each watershed/drainage basin in the area. Learn more about rainfall »
  Month-to-Date Total Historic Monthly Average Year-to-Date Total Historic 12 Month Average Total Data as of  
Lemon Bay Watershed 1.28 in. 2.59 in. 7.77 in. 46.09 in. 3/17/2024
Source(s): Sarasota County Automated Rainfall Management System   SWFWMD Hydrologic Data Section Data   SWFWMD Hydrologic Data Section Data  
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    Regulation

    Who to call about environmental concerns and to report environmentally harmful activities. For potentially life threatening emergencies dial 911.

    Concern or Activity Contact(s)
    Dangerous Boating / Accidents

    FWCC, Division of Boating Safety
    1-850-488-5600 (to report an accident) or
    1-888-404-3922 (to report unsafe boating)

    Algal Blooms

    FDEP 1-850-305-3903

    Fish Kill

    FWCC, Fish Kills
    1-800-636-0511

    General Concerns/Complaints

    FDEP
    1-239-344-5600

    Sarasota County Contact Centera
    1-941-861-5000

    Industrial Waste/Spill

    FDEP State Watch Office
    1-800-320-0519

    Injured Wildlife or Illegal Activities

    FWCC, Wildlife Violations
    1-888-404-3922
    or via cell phone, dial *FWC or #FWC depending on service carrier

    Shoreline Alterations, Wetland Impacts

    FDEP
    1-239-344-5600

    Aquatic Plant Removal

    FWCC
    1-813-744-6163 or 6164

    Water Pollution, Residuals Landspreading

    FDEP
    1-239-344-5600

    Wetlands Issues/Dredge and Fill

    FDEP
    1-239-344-5600

    Source(s): USF Water Institute

    Legend:
    FWCC - Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
    FDEP - Florida Department of Enviromental Protection

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      Get Involved

      Sarasota County needs you to help manage and protect its natural resources! Fill out this form, and we will contact you with more information about becoming a volunteer. Learn more about volunteering »

      Become a Volunteer! Click here to sign up for volunteering.

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