A joint initiative between the University of Delaware and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has led to the development of a cost-effective remote monitoring system that is capable of measuring environmental variables throughout the water column. This system includes whole water column profiling, meteorological sensing, cellular data transmission and telemetry, automated data processing and dissemination, and an internet-based display. The platform provides an effective means to monitor estuarine waters with high temporal resolution. This is critical for an effective HAB detection and early warning notification system (including public advisories), rapid response initiation, public education, and efficient development of effective mitigation strategies by natural resource managers and public health officials. The platform is capable of detecting HAB bloom evolution, from start to finish, through changes in the chlorophylla concentrations in the water column and by measuring multi-variable environmental conditions including quality variables [water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate/nitrite, soluble reactive phosphate, fluorescence (chlorophyll-a), photosynthetic active radiation] and meteorological variables (air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, incident solar radiation, wind speed and direction, rain gauge) that are concurrent with the bloom.