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2013 State Of The River Report Is A Mixed Review

The latest annual report on the health of the St. Johns River shows improvements in some areas, but notes that much more work still needs to be done. 

The 2013 State of the River Report finds that nutrients in the waterway are being reduced overall.

However, aquatic life is still threatened and algae blooms keep popping up, areas of concern.

Dr. Lucinda Sonnenberg, director of the Millar Wilson Laboratory for Chemical Research at Jacksonville University, says the 100 page report examines everything from water quality to fisheries and other aquatic life.

It also measures the levels of contaminants in the river's lower basin, which is in our area. The full report won't be released until the end of this month, but you can view some of the data right now at SJRreport.com.

"We are seeing some improvements," says Sonnenberg. "That's encouraging. We issue the report so the public can become educated about the river and the need to protect it."

Melissa Ross joined WJCT in 2009 with 20 years of experience in broadcasting, including stints in Cincinnati, Chicago, Orlando and Jacksonville. During her career as a television and radio news anchor and reporter, Melissa has won four regional Emmys for news and feature reporting.