News & Announcements

Notice of Biennial Assessment 2024-2026 Final Assessment Lists
(October 7, 2026)

The department announces the Biennial Assessment 2024-2026 Final assessment lists of waterbodies and water segments. The FINAL assessment lists were developed pursuant to Chapter 62-303, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), include all 29 basins in the state and were adopted by Secretarial Order signed by DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert and entered on October 2, 2026. The Final Verified Lists include those waters that are proposed as additions to the State's Verified List of Impaired Waters and the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list. The Final Delist Lists include those waters that are proposed for removal from the State's Verified List and CWA section 303(d) list. The Final Study Lists include those waters that do not attain water quality standards and additional information is needed to confirm attainment; there is an alternative restoration plan in place; waters that have an adverse trend in nutrients or nutrient response variables; or, there are exceedances of stream nutrient thresholds but the department does not have enough information to fully assess nonattainment of the stream nutrient water quality standard. The Final Study Lists Removals include those waters that no longer meet the listing requirements for the Study List, as identified in Rule 62-303.390, F.A.C., and are submitted to EPA for removal from the CWA section 303(d) list. The department has posted the Final Master List (which contains all assessments for all waterbodies in each basin) as one statewide list here. Several revisions have been made to develop the final lists since the draft lists were published in November, 2025.  

In addition to the final assessment lists in spreadsheet format, an interactive map titled "Biennial Assessment 2024-2026 Final Lists" is available that shows the geographic location of the waterbodies and waterbody segments by WBID that are proposed for addition to the Verified List, Delist List, Study List, or Study List Removals List. For help using the interactive map features, please review this help file. 

These assessment lists were produced with water quality and biological data that were received by the department as of July 18, 2024, and included in the IWR Run 66 Database. They also incorporate station-WBID assignment updates, WBID classification updates, and/or data exclusions based on a preliminary evaluation by department staff.

Availability of Strategic Monitoring Plan 2026

The department announces the availability of the Strategic Monitoring Plan 2026. These plans represent the water quality and biological monitoring needs identified by the department in preparation for basin assessments as part of the watershed management approach. The Watershed Assessment Section developed the statewide Strategic Monitoring Plan 2026 to assist in assessing the health of Florida's surface waters by conducting biological assessments and water quality sampling. These activities are carried out by seven Regional Operation Centers (ROCs) located throughout the department's six District offices and by staff in Tallahassee.  The extensive monitoring effort is accomplished through coordination with local stakeholders, water management districts, city and county governments. 

Additional information on the water quality and biological monitoring sites is available on the Water Quality Surface Water Monitoring Events Map. This interactive map displays locations where DEP conducts monitoring as part of its water quality and biological assessment programs.

The department also announces the availability of the Impaired Waters Rule (IWR) Run 67 database, and associated waterbody and station shapefiles, which are now available for download. The IWR Run 67 database was produced with data extracted on October 14, 2025. This IWR Run 67 will be used to support division program objectives such as SMP 2026, total maximum daily load development and the effectiveness of restoration efforts through the implementation of alternative restoration plans and basin management action plans.

Notice of Applicable Stream Assessment for Waters in the Kissimmee River Basin

The department announces that sufficient documentation has been provided to demonstrate that the waterbody segments identified as Partin Canal (WBID 3173A1), Lake Tohopekaliga Drain (South Segment) (WBID 3173C), and Shingle Creek Headwaters (WBID 3169G1) located within the Kissimmee River basin meet all the conditions identified in paragraph 62-302.200(36)(b), Florida Administrative Code, for an exclusion from the definition of a stream. 

For purposes of interpreting the narrative nutrient criterion in paragraph 62-302.530(48)(b), F.A.C., these waterbody segments will be assessed applying the stream nutrient impairment thresholds in subsections 62-303.351(3)-(5) and 62-303.450(1), (2) and (5), F.A.C., rather than the numeric nutrient standard for streams. This action only affects the implementation of nutrient criteria for the specified waters; all other applicable water quality standards remain in effect.

These assessment thresholds will continue to be applied unless the department receives sufficient countervailing information concerning the applicability of paragraph 62-302.200(36)(b), F.A.C., to these waters, including the purpose of the waterbody such as flood protection, stormwater management, irrigation, water supply, navigation, boat access to an adjacent waterbody or frequent recreational use.

A map showing the geographic extent of the stream exclusions is available for Partin Canal (WBID 3173A1) and Lake Tohopekaliga Drain (South Segment) (WBID 3173C).  The supporting documentation received by Osceola County is available upon request.

A map showing the geographic extent of the stream exclusions is available for Shingle Creek Headwaters (WBID 3169G1).  The supporting documentation received by the City of Orlando and Orange County is available upon request.