We Don't Just Clean the Water.
We Find What the Water Hides.
Finding the pollution you can't see.
What the Water Hides
Most pollution never reaches the shoreline. It sinks.
Hidden beneath the surface are abandoned crab traps, fishing gear, tires, batteries, shopping carts, construction debris, and countless other objects that continue harming wildlife and habitats every day.
Space Coast Water Sweep is building a systematic survey and recovery program to locate, document, map, and recover underwater debris throughout Florida. Hidden Waters is the survey and discovery side of Project Lagoon.
Our Mission
To create the most comprehensive underwater debris mapping and recovery program in Florida by combining systematic survey methods, trained teams, and innovative technology.
What Hidden Waters Is
Hidden Waters is the survey and discovery side of Project Lagoon. It focuses on finding, documenting, mapping, and understanding submerged debris using systematic survey methods and technology. Recovery is conducted by trained teams only after verification and authorization — not by untrained volunteers.
The future Conservation & Discovery Center includes a related visitor experience called Hidden Waters: The Expedition — an immersive attraction inspired by this operational work. The operational program and the future attraction are distinct.
How It Works
Discover
Using side-scan sonar, ROVs, underwater cameras, drones, and public reports to find submerged debris.
Verify
Trained teams review each finding, confirm object type and location, assess safety and environmental risk, and determine whether FWC or other authorization is required before recovery.
Recover
Once verified and authorized, trained recovery teams safely remove debris from the water. Recovery is not conducted by untrained volunteers and does not use volunteer divers.
Track
Every recovered object becomes part of the Hidden Waters database for ongoing analysis, re-survey, and trend monitoring.
Discovery Methods
Technology we use to find what's hidden below.
Recovery Score
Real-time data from the Hidden Debris database.
PUBLIC SAFETY GUIDANCE
See It.
Observe and document from a safe vantage point.
Report It.
Submit a report with photos and location through the SCWS platform.
Don't Disturb It.
Do not attempt recovery yourself. Trained teams handle verified, authorized recovery.
A public report does not authorize recovery. Submerged debris should not be disturbed by the public. Observations are reviewed and verified by trained teams. Recovery occurs only when appropriate and authorized. Not every reported object is guaranteed to be recovered.
Future Technology
Technology Roadmap
The future of the Hidden Debris Initiative.
Inside Project Lagoon
The full survey, discovery, and recovery operation.
Explore Project Lagoon
Project Lagoon subjects — equipment, technology, operations, data, and participation.
Survey Missions
Systematic technology surveys of waterway areas.
Survey Coverage Map
Live survey coverage — see which zones have been surveyed and which need work.
Aerial Survey
Observer-mode aerial debris survey — point, mark, and identify from the air.
Debris Target Map
Live map of surveyed debris targets — from discovery through removal.
Technology
The innovation roadmap behind the initiative.
Dashboard
Mission metrics for the Hidden Waters program.
