Hello NLRS Working Group members,
See below for a message from the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
Thank you,
Steering Committee
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
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Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 12:59 PM
Good afternoon, Hypoxia Coordinating Committee members,
Today, NOAA released its annual Gulf of America hypoxia or "dead zone" forecast. Based on nutrient loading data provided by USGS for the month of May, the forecast is for an average sized hypoxic zone of 5,574 square miles. The NOAA forecast utilizes a suite of models to develop its ensemble estimate for the anticipated size of the hypoxic zone in July, around the time of the summer measurement cruise. We would like to thank our USGS colleagues for the long-standing partnership that enables us to produce this forecast.
NOAA’s modeling and forecasting tools are critical for management guidance. These tools help increase awareness among key stakeholders and the public on the role of nutrients and other factors in affecting the size of the hypoxic zone and the ongoing efforts in the watershed aimed at mitigation.
To ensure we communicate to those interested in understanding watershed efforts to reduce the nutrients entering into the Gulf, we will continue our close coordination with the Hypoxia Task Force (HTF). We maintain our coordination efforts with EPA, USGS, and the HTF communications workgroup to ensure we're prepared to address media interest in this topic and to highlight state efforts. This coordination will continue through the release of our shelf-wide monitoring cruise measurements in August.
Please feel free to distribute to others who may have an interest.
Best,
David Scheurer
David Scheurer, Ph.D
Director (Acting), NCCOS Competitive Research Program
Ecological Forecasting Portfolio Manager
NOAA, NOS, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
1305 East-West Highway, N/SCI2, Rm 8311
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 443-739-5350 (Cell)
david.scheurer@noaa.gov
