Alternative Text Description for FDEP (WIN) Monitoring Locations

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the distribution of water quality monitoring locations across the State of Florida that have been processed through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Information Network (WIN) system. The map shows thousands of individual monitoring stations represented as dark green circular points distributed throughout Florida's mainland, panhandle, coastal waters, and the Florida Keys. The monitoring network provides comprehensive coverage of Florida's watersheds and is used for environmental quality assessment, impaired waters analysis, and development of water management plans.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map encompasses the entire State of Florida, extending from the panhandle region in the northwest near Alabama to the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Major cities labeled on the map include Albany and Dothan (outside Florida's borders to the north), Valdosta (to the northeast), Tallahassee (in the panhandle), Jacksonville (on the northeast coast), Orlando (in central Florida), Tampa and St. Petersburg (on the west coast), and Cape Coral and Miami (in southern Florida). The map shows Florida bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of America to the west and south, and the Straits of Florida to the south. The geographic extent includes portions of neighboring states visible to the north for spatial reference.

KEY INSIGHTS

The monitoring locations show extensive and relatively uniform coverage across mainland Florida with notable concentration patterns. The highest density of monitoring stations occurs along the northwestern panhandle coast, around major population centers including the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area, and throughout central Florida. The interior portions of the peninsula show dense coverage, with somewhat sparser distribution in south-central Florida. Coastal areas demonstrate particularly high monitoring density, especially along the Gulf of America coastline and in the Florida Keys, where monitoring stations extend in a linear pattern following the island chain. The distribution pattern suggests systematic monitoring of both inland water bodies and coastal waters, with emphasis on populated regions and ecologically significant coastal zones.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

FDEP (WIN) Monitoring Locations

This layer represents all water quality monitoring locations that have been validated and processed through the Watershed Information Network system.

Monitoring Station Points

Appearance:

Dark green circular points of uniform size distributed across the map

Distribution:

Monitoring stations appear throughout Florida's entire geographic extent, including the mainland, panhandle, coastal waters, and the Florida Keys archipelago

Notable locations:

Highest concentrations occur in the northwestern panhandle near Tallahassee, along the central Gulf of America coast near Tampa-St. Petersburg, throughout the central Florida interior, and along the Atlantic coast near Jacksonville and Miami

Spatial patterns:

The distribution demonstrates comprehensive statewide coverage with clustering around major water bodies and urban areas. Coastal zones show linear patterns following shorelines. The Florida Keys exhibit a distinctive arc of monitoring points extending southwestward. Spacing between inland monitoring stations suggests systematic watershed-based placement, with denser networks in areas of higher population or ecological sensitivity.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents the comprehensive network of monitoring locations used for assessing Florida's water quality and environmental health. The monitoring stations shown have all passed WIN Minimum Data Quality Standards and have been visually verified by the submitting organizations. Each location is associated with a National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) Reach Code when required, linking the monitoring station to specific water bodies. This map does not show reach code associations for ocean, wetland, spring boil, spring vent, or groundwater monitoring types. The density and distribution of points reflect Florida's commitment to systematic water quality monitoring across diverse aquatic environments including rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, springs, and groundwater systems.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This dataset contains all monitoring locations processed through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Watershed Information Network (WIN) applications. WIN serves as DEP's repository for reporting and managing environmental quality data from non-regulatory databases and various data providers statewide. Data is collected by federal agencies, DEP and other state agencies, local governments, academic institutions, volunteer organizations, private laboratories, and other entities. All monitoring locations must pass WIN Minimum Data Quality Standards, undergo individual visual verification by the submitting organization, and be associated with NHD Reach Codes when required. Data source layer name: WIN_MONITOR_LOC_OCT25

Definition Query:

No definition query or filtering criteria was provided. This map displays the complete dataset of validated monitoring locations.

Scale Information:

The map shows a statewide view appropriate for understanding the overall distribution and density of the monitoring network across Florida. Individual monitoring stations are represented as point features visible at this scale.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The dataset name indicates content current as of October 2025 (OCT25). WIN replaces Florida STORET as the active data repository.

Limitations:

The map shows validated monitoring locations but does not indicate the frequency of monitoring, types of parameters measured at each location, current operational status, or data quality ratings. Not all monitoring location types require NHD Reach Code associations (oceans, wetlands, spring boils, spring vents, and groundwater are excluded from this requirement).

Map Coverage:

The map covers the entire State of Florida from the panhandle to the Florida Keys, including territorial coastal waters. Portions of neighboring states (Alabama, Georgia) are shown for geographic context but do not contain data from this dataset.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.