The tropical rainfall that's been sweeping through the area is not the typical afternoon shower North Central Florida is used to this time of year.

After days of rain, the water level in the Santa Fe River remains low.

Hydrologist Megan Wetherington says,"we had a very unusual tropical storm obviously that we're coming out of and so far I'm not seeing any kind of improvement on the Santa Fe River."

A handful of concerned citizens making up the group called "Our Santa Fe River," met at Poe Springs Tuesday evening to discuss ways to raise river levels and curb the harmful growth of algae.

Director of the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, Chris Bird says, " The kind of algae we got now is more of a nuisance, it can not smell very good, cause irritation of the eyes and breathing you're swimming in it." 

Most of the navigable area that Bird studies on the Santa Fe River measures no more than 3 feet deep.

Low rain levels and weak spring flow have currents almost to a standstill. 

Heat and still waters have the potential to cause bacteria buildups which can make the Santa Fe dangerous for students.

Chris Gilmore TV20