An edition of: WaterAtlas.org Presented By: Polk County, City of Lakeland, City of Winter Haven, USF
Learn how Polk County and its co-permittees manage stormwater to minimize surface water pollution
What does it mean when a waterbody is said to be "impaired"? Where are Polk County's impaired waters? View this map to find out.
Local and state agencies monitor aquatic flora and fauna to assess the health of lakes and streams in Polk County. View current and historical survey data and trends here.
Be informed about important water-related news with implications in Hillsborough County and elsewhere
How has water quality changed over time? This page tracks the trends of water quality related to nutrient pollution.
This interactive map brings all water resource-related information together in one place
Use this interactive map to find data from continuously-reporting monitoring stations
Use this tool to graph water resource data and to download data for your own analysis
Get detailed information about projects that remove pollutants from our waterways: TN, TP, TSS, DO and bacteria
View the geographic distribution and variability of rainfall amounts, access statistical rainfall summaries, or download rainfall data
Find a particular water resource on any of the Water Atlas websites using this tool
Find information to help homeowners, businesses, and contractors reduce stormwater pollution
Polk County installs and maintains “green infrastructure” as an important component of its water resource management. Learn how these efforts improve water quality.
Check this list to find out who to call to report problems or to ask questions about rules, regulations, and permitting
Be informed about important water-related news from Polk County and elsewhere
Search our library of water-related documents, maps, websites, videos and organizations
Watch these videos to learn how to protect and enjoy Polk County's waterways
See recent and historic photos of area waterways, submitted by Water Atlas sponsors, partners and users
Learn about ways you can help to improve Polk County’s waterways and watersheds
Use this calendar to find opportunities for recreation, volunteering, and citizen participation
See a water quality problem happening? Report it here.
We welcome user submissions of documents, organizations, videos, etc.
The Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) and Stream Condition Index (SCI) assessments provide valuable insights into the ecological health of waterbodies across different regions. LVI measures the condition of plant communities in lakes, while SCI focuses on the biological quality of streams through the presence and diversity of aquatic life. These assessments are associated with Waterbody Identifiers (WBIDs), which uniquely represent specific lakes, rivers, and streams. By examining both LVI and SCI assessments within a WBID, we can gain a clearer understanding of the overall health and environmental quality of these aquatic ecosystems.
This interactive map allows you to explore WBIDs and view the LVI and/or SCI assessments conducted in the WBID. Simply click on a WBID to open a popup with a list of assessments. From there, selecting an individual LVI or SCI assessment will display details including an assessment summary, scoring information, and, when available, a table of observed taxa. This tool provides a user-friendly way to navigate and analyze ecological data, helping to make informed decisions about waterbody management and conservation efforts.