RECON

River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

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Weather Stations Update

Originally deployed in 2012, thanks to funding from the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) through a grant from Lee County, the RECON weather stations became the first weather stations in this area located directly over the water. Designed to give researchers and boaters near real-time information on the current over water weather conditions, they quickly became the go to weather source for the local boating community.  ...

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The River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) is a network of water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee river and estuary to provide real-time, water quality data to scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

The extensive watersheds of the Caloosahatchee (1,400 square miles) and Lake Okeechobee (4,400 square miles) each contribute water that flows into the Caloosahatchee estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. Water quality is affected by both Lake Okeechobee discharges and runoff from the Caloosahatchee watershed. Over time, these watersheds have changed from low-nutrient loading marshes and wetlands to high loading urban and agricultural land uses. Nutrients increase turbidity and decrease concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO). In addition, excess nutrients fuel nuisance algal blooms. Losses of low-nutrient adapted communities, such as seagrasses have contributed to changes in fish, crustacean and marine mammal communities.

Boater Forecast

Weather forecast data provided courtesy of the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration

This NOAA marine forecast covers the area 6NM SSW of Captiva FL.  Additional Associated Zone Forecast 

Today

March 28th 2024

W wind 18 to 22 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a slight chance of showers between 10am and 11am. Seas 3 to 5 ft.

Temperature: High 74 °F

Tonight

March 28th 2024

NNW wind 17 to 22 kt becoming NNE after midnight. Clear. Seas 4 to 5 ft.

Temperature: Low 63 °F

Friday

March 29th 2024

NNE wind 9 to 17 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. Sunny. Seas 2 to 4 ft.

Temperature: High 75 °F

Friday Night

March 29th 2024

NNW wind 9 to 12 kt becoming E after midnight. Mostly clear. Seas around 2 ft.

Temperature: Low 65 °F

Saturday

March 30th 2024

E wind 7 to 11 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Seas 1 to 2 ft.

Temperature: High 74 °F

Saturday Night

March 30th 2024

W wind around 6 kt becoming E after midnight. Mostly clear. Seas around 1 ft.

Temperature: Low 67 °F

Sunday

March 31st 2024

E wind around 8 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Sunny. Seas around 1 ft.

Temperature: High 75 °F

Sunday Night

March 31st 2024

W wind 5 to 8 kt becoming ESE after midnight. Mostly clear. Seas around 1 ft.

Temperature: Low 69 °F

Wind Speed (kts)

Below is the NOAA wind speed forecast. Click Here to view the data from the RECON weather stations. 

Wave Heights(ft)

This is a graph of the NOAA marine forecast for wave height 6NM SSW of Captiva FL. This is the same area the RECON wave buoy is deployed.