Expanding Port Everglades: Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring to Protect Marine Ecosystems During Dredging
Port Everglades, located in Broward County, Florida, stands as a vital maritime gateway that supports international cargo trade, cruise tourism, and local recreational boating. In recent years, the global shipping industry has witnessed a steady increase in the size and capacity of cargo vessels and cruise liners. To remain competitive and accommodate these modern ships, Port Everglades must expand its navigation channel by deepening and widening it—a task now underway, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
This expansion promises substantial economic benefits. It is expected to increase the port's cargo handling capacity, stimulate regional economic growth by creating thousands of jobs, and boost tourism through enhanced cruise ship traffic. However, with these economic gains comes the responsibility of carefully managing environmental impacts associated with large-scale dredging activities.
Dredging disrupts the seafloor by excavating and removing sediment, resulting in massive quantities of suspended sediment entering the water column. These sediments form sediment plumes—clouds of suspended particles—that can drift far beyond the immediate dredging area. When these plumes settle on sensitive marine habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, they pose significant ecological threats. Reduced water clarity limits sunlight penetration, which is crucial for photosynthesis in corals and seagrasses. Sedimentation physically smothers benthic organisms, disrupting their feeding, reproduction, and overall health. Additionally, sediments may carry harmful contaminants, further jeopardizing marine biodiversity.
Recognizing the ecological sensitivity of the Port Everglades area and the risks posed by the dredging project, NOAA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have developed a sophisticated, near real-time water quality monitoring system. This system is designed to continuously measure and track sediment plume dynamics and other critical water quality parameters before, during, and after dredging operations, enabling timely mitigation efforts to minimize environmental harm.
Leading this initiative, Dr. Enrique Montes from the University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory emphasizes the importance of early detection. “Sediment plumes during dredging can cause serious damage to corals and other benthic species,” Dr. Montes explains. “Our near real-time monitoring system enables us to detect changes quickly and advise dredging operators to adjust their activities, thereby protecting these vulnerable ecosystems from severe impacts.”
The monitoring infrastructure comprises a network of advanced sensor arrays deployed both on the seafloor and at the water’s surface. Bottom-mounted instruments measure turbidity (water clarity), suspended sediment concentration, water temperature, salinity, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)—all factors vital to the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds. Surface buoys, equipped with solar panels for power autonomy, collect complementary atmospheric data such as wind speed, air temperature, and solar radiation, offering a comprehensive understanding of environmental conditions.
Data from bottom sensors are transmitted acoustically to the surface buoys, which relay the information via cellular or satellite networks to cloud-based platforms. This near real-time data stream updates every 15 minutes, allowing scientists and project managers to monitor fluctuations continuously. When turbidity or sediment levels exceed predefined thresholds, alerts are triggered, prompting immediate operational changes such as slowing or temporarily pausing dredging to limit sediment dispersion.
Regular maintenance is critical to the success of the monitoring program. Skilled divers conduct monthly servicing to clean sensors and remove biofouling—organisms that accumulate on sensor surfaces and degrade data accuracy—as well as to replace batteries in seabed sensor packages. This upkeep ensures the reliability and precision of data critical for adaptive management.
To establish baseline environmental conditions, one bottom sensor array and a surface buoy have been initially deployed at Port Everglades. Before dredging begins, the monitoring network will expand with three additional bottom sensor arrays and twelve smaller buoys strategically positioned near ecologically sensitive areas such as coral colonies and conch spawning grounds. This enhanced coverage will enable detailed spatial analysis of sediment plume behavior and environmental impacts.
In addition to real-time monitoring, the project incorporates active mitigation efforts. Large coral colonies threatened by dredging will be carefully transplanted to safer locations, helping preserve reef structure and biodiversity. Detailed mapping and characterization of benthic habitats support these efforts by identifying critical areas that require special protection during construction.
The ecological significance of coral reefs and seagrass beds extends well beyond their biological roles. These habitats sustain rich biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services such as supporting commercial and recreational fisheries and protecting shorelines from erosion and storm surge. Economically, Florida’s coral reef ecosystems contribute billions of dollars annually through tourism, fisheries, and coastal defense.
The project occurs against the backdrop of increasing environmental pressures, including climate change, ocean acidification, and coastal development, which compound the vulnerability of marine ecosystems. These global stressors heighten the need for integrated monitoring and management approaches to safeguard the health and resilience of these habitats.
The Port Everglades dredging project exemplifies a broader shift toward sustainable maritime infrastructure development. By embedding advanced environmental monitoring and adaptive dredging techniques, the port sets an important precedent for balancing economic growth with ecological stewardship. The technological innovations and scientific knowledge developed through this project will likely inform similar port expansions worldwide, where the challenge of expanding capacity while protecting marine environments is increasingly common.
Socially, this initiative fosters community confidence by demonstrating transparency and a clear commitment to environmental responsibility. As public awareness of ecological issues rises, such proactive measures help build trust and support for critical infrastructure projects.
Moreover, the wealth of data gathered will provide valuable insights for long-term scientific research, enhancing understanding of sediment dynamics, coral reef resilience, and ecosystem responses to human interventions. These insights can spur innovation in marine conservation and guide policymaking at regional and national levels.
Dr. Montes summarizes the project’s philosophy: “While some environmental impact from dredging is unavoidable, our goal is to leverage the best available science and technology to minimize these effects and protect these vital ecosystems. This project represents a model for how economic development and environmental protection can coexist successfully.”
As Port Everglades progresses with its expansion, it underscores the evolving relationship between human development and nature. By harnessing technology, science, and thoughtful management, the port deepens not only its physical channels but also its commitment to preserving Florida’s unique and invaluable marine ecosystems—for the benefit of current and future generations.