These satellite data provide new insights that can greatly benefit long-term monitoring efforts of estuarine waters, most or all of which are based solely on field surveys. The distinct spatial and temporal viability revealed in SeaWiFS SDD imagery highlights the importance of river runoff (phytoplankton and color) in the rainy season and of wind or wind induced sediment resuspension (turbidity) in the dry season in controlling the light attenuation (SDD) across Tampa Bay, particularly in the middle and lower portions of the Bay.