bottom was again visible where it usually was, except still

along the north shore of the north shore of the Lagoon.

 From October 3 to 11 rainstorms again produced consider-

able run-off, but the effects this time were confined to

Benner Bay and the north shore of the Lagoon.

 As far as we can tell the water quality and the bottom

biota have not yet returned to normal everywhere. Along the

north shore of the Mangrove Lagoon and throughout the channel

from Benner Bay into Jersey Bay, turbidity has remained higher

than it was before flooding. A distinct brown plume extend-

ing from Henner Bay into Jersey nay well southeast of Cas Cay

is visible from the air. The shallows over the grass flats

northwest of Cas Cay to Bovoni Cay are not noticeably affected,

however. This continued turbidity is believed to be maintained

by periodic clay contributions caused by rain showers and, in

Benner Bay, aided by boat traffic which keeps silt suspended.

Water color also, because of increased turbidity in these

quarters, is poor.

 Estimates of shallow water color are greatly subject to

the character of the bottom. The color estimate may, barring

large amounts of suspended matter, be the color of the bottom.

The apparent color of the waters in the study area falls into

four broad categories:

 1. Brown, opaque water of Benner Bay and the north

shores of the Mangrove Lagoon (Forel-Ule colors ranging from


Pa,.,, 1