Spring break visitors in Cocoa Beach are noticing an unsightly problem that has been a concern for residents for months: The Banana River is brown.
Since January, state scientists have been monitoring brown tide algae blooms in the Banana and Indian rivers in Brevard County. It hasn't gotten any better.
That's not good news for kayaking tour guides or their customers.
"There wasn't a lot of wildlife. We didn't see dolphins or manatees or anything," said Chris Van Houtte, visiting from Minneapolis.
Scientists at the St. Johns River Water Management District say there's nothing much they can do in the short term. Water temperatures this winter weren't cold enough to knock down the bloom. So instead of the regular blue-green hue of the Banana River, it’s brown.
"You lose content. You're out there on the water, anything subsurface is content, the crab, the fish, the sponge and you can't see it," said Tim Chastain, who recently retired after spending 10 years as a kayaking tour guide.
Fishing and tourism play a big role in the area's economy. The Indian River Lagoon, which includes the Banana River, has a $3.7 billion annual economic impact on the region.
So what causes these algae blooms?
The water management district says harmful nutrients from storm water runoff, along with warmer water temperatures are to blame.
That raises the concern that this brown tide will persist as it gets warmer outside.
Since January, state scientists have been monitoring brown tide algae blooms in the Banana and Indian rivers in Brevard County, but conditions have not improved. (Jerry Hume, Staff)