Good Morning from Florida's Indian River Lagoon
Good morning from River Rocks along Florida's Indian River Lagoon in Rockledge FL. Today is Thursday October 1, 2026.
Welcome to today's Lagoon Life Report, where we explore the weather, wildlife, waterfront communities, parks, local food, and everyday moments that make life along the Indian River Lagoon so special.
Lagoon Conditions
Time: 10 AM
Air Temperature: 81 - high of 84
Humidity: 78% - the sticky is back!
Wind Direction & Speed: SE at 8-10 MPH
Water Conditions: Mild chop and low visibility
Today's Lagoon Life:
Hundreds of dead puffer fish have washed up on the shoreline by the restaurant. Earlier in the week it was so bad you could hardly be on the property. I took photos and reported it to the FWC fish kill hotline.
This is the response from FWC. They got back to me the next day! This is a follow up email I got from them.
With low dissolved oxygen events they do not immediately occur but gradually occur over a couple of hours. When they happen, fish will attempt to leave the area when they begin to experience stress. Unfortunately, pufferfish are less motile and are unable to leave the affected areas as well as other species as such they are affected more frequently. However, there can also be observation bias as they are very pronounced when bloated and are able to be congregated by wind direction. We have been receiving reports of multiple other species including but not limited to: Red Drum, Black Drum, Croaker, flounder, Spotted Seatrout, Snook, pufferfish, and catfish.
Kyle Luba
Biological Scientist
Fish Kill Hotline Coordinator
Fish and Wildlife Health
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 8th Ave SE, Saint Petersburg FL 33701
Fish Kill Hotline: 1.800.636.0511
Lagoon Living Tip of the Day:
Want to Help the Lagoon? You Can Do It This Morning.
This one is unusually timely.
Today, Friday, October 2, Indian River County is holding its First Friday Oyster Mat Building Event at Wabasso Causeway Park's North Pavilion from 9 AM to noon. Indian River County
Volunteers help build oyster restoration materials used in projects associated with the Indian River Lagoon.
Oysters are marvelous little ecological employees. They create habitat, stabilize shorelines and filter water while asking for neither a paycheck nor a reserved parking space.
So if you've ever wondered what ordinary residents can actually do to help the Lagoon, here's one answer:
Spend a Friday morning helping give oysters somewhere to live. 🦪🌊
Indian River County Lagoon Volunteer Opportunities
Wildlife & Nature
Lets switch to living nature. Man the birds have taken over the dock! It covered in bird droppings and is about as white as snow. That's as close and we'll get to snow here, thankfully. That said I took this picture of a bird that neither Merlin nor Google lens can completely identify. It looks like the first year juvenile of a laughing gull but I swear it has the body size of a pelican. Various people noticed it all day long.
I think I've finally figured it out. It is an American Herring Gull it its first year plumage. They migrate to FL in the winter and first nor Easter may have gotten it down here early like the rest of the snow birds that will be coming soon!
Today's Lagoon Spotlight
Today's Indian River County Do-Gooder: Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County
I found one today that connects several of our recurring themes beautifully:
kids + gardening + food + education + Indian River County.
The Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County, or EOC, has served the area for more than 60 years, helping individuals and families move from poverty toward self-sufficiency. It also operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs providing childhood education, health services and family support. Vero News
But here's the part that caught my eye.
🌱 Head Start Kids Are Growing Gardens
EOC recently received a GroMoreGood Garden Grant to continue and expand community gardens at three of its Head Start locations, including Douglas Head Start in Wabasso and St. Helen's Head Start in Gifford. Vero News
The grant is being used for new equipment, storage sheds, refreshed garden beds, soil and seedlings.
They're also bringing the adults into the dirt.
Parents will have access to gardening workshops and take-home container garden kits, while community volunteers will participate in garden build days. Altogether, more than 200 Head Start and Early Head Start children are expected to benefit from the garden spaces. Vero News
🍅 Why I Love This One
Think about what a vegetable garden can teach a four-year-old.
Put something in the soil.
Take care of it.
Wait.
Watch.
Discover that a tomato doesn't originate in a plastic container at Publix.
And maybe taste something you helped grow.
There's ecology in there.
There's nutrition.
There's patience.
There's responsibility.
There's even a tiny economics lesson.
Most importantly, it creates a relationship with the living world at an age when dirt is still considered an excellent recreational substance.
And for those of us interested in the future of the Indian River Lagoon, that's significant.
We can teach adults about nutrient runoff, watersheds and seagrass decline.
But perhaps the longer game is raising children who already understand that soil, water, plants, food, wildlife and people aren't separate subjects. They're one system.
A preschool garden in Wabasso may seem like a very small thing.
Ecology has a funny habit of beginning that way.
Plant a seed. Teach a child. See what grows. 🌱❤️🌎
Learn More
Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County
And there's another Indian River County date worth penciling in: United Way of Indian River County has its annual Day of Caring on Saturday, October 24. Last year's event drew more than 550 volunteers who completed 51 projects across the county, and volunteer registration for this year's event remains open through October 16. United Way of Indian River County
2026 Day of Caring volunteer information
Lagoon Lifestyle & Real Estate
Check the Permit History Before You Fall in Love With the Renovation
That gorgeous Florida room, new roof, enclosed porch or remodeled kitchen may look terrific, but a buyer should also ask a less glamorous question:
Was the work permitted when a permit was required?
Before closing, review the property's permit history and compare it with what you're actually seeing. Unpermitted additions or alterations can become headaches later when you're dealing with insurance, resale, inspections or future improvements.
This is especially worth investigating when a home's advertised square footage seems different from the original floor plan.
A renovation can add value. A renovation with a paperwork mystery can add homework. 🔨🏡
Thinking About Life Along the Lagoon?
Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or simply enjoy following life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I hope these daily reports help you experience one of Florida's most beautiful regions.
If you're looking for local insight about waterfront living or real estate anywhere along the lagoon, I'd be happy to help.
Every report is another chapter in the story of life along Florida's Indian River Lagoon. Thanks for following along.
Chris Norris
Broker Associate | Treasure Coast Realty
Serving Florida's Space Coast & Treasure Coast along the Indian River Lagoon
ChrisNorrisRealEstate.com
SebastianLagoonLife.com
YouTube: @ChrisNorrisRealEstate