Creek Conditions

Sarasota has short coastal creeks that flow through neighborhoods down to the bays. Healthy creeks add value to the community and monitoring them informs us about how to manage them better. Seventeen coastal creeks are rated annually by comparing nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen to water quality guidelines or regulatory standards. Other measures of environmental health are also depicted. Learn more about Creek Conditions »

Creek Ratings

For a creek to receive a Pass rating, sample values for these indicators must meet or exceed established standards; otherwise, it receives a Caution rating.

View detailed condition information by clicking on a tidal creek from the list below. Condition reports include graphs, high, low, historical and average values for the water quality parameters used in determining the ratings, as well as other important indicators of stream water quality, and watershed characteristics like land use types and extent of impervious features.

Creek Conditions Index

The Creek Conditions Index gives a quick assessment of the water quality in each creek during a particular year by examining four important indicators of nutrient pollution: chlorophyll a, nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved oxygen saturation. The rating system used here is a simplified version of the methods used by regulators to assess stream health. Each creek receives either a PASS or CAUTION rating, depending on whether the water quality in both its freshwater and marine stream components meets predefined conditions based on the state's Numeric Nutrient Criteria. Learn more about how ratings are assigned »

Indicator Health Icons
Indicator PASS rating CAUTION rating
Chlorophyll a Pass Rating Indicator Icon for Chlorophyll a Caution Rating Indicator Icon for Chlorophyll a
Nitrogen, Total Pass Rating Indicator Icon for Total Nitrogen Caution Rating Indicator Icon for Total Nitrogen
Phosphorus, Total Pass Rating Indicator Icon for Total Phosphorous Caution Rating Indicator Icon for Total Phosphorous
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation Pass Rating Indicator Icon for Dissolved Oxygen Caution Rating Indicator Icon for Dissolved Oxygen