Hydrologic Investigation of the Phosphate-Mined Upper Saddle Creek Watershed, West-Central Florida
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The Florida Institute of Phosphate Research was created in 1978 by the Florida Legislature (Chapter 378.101, Florida Statutes) and empowered to conduct research supportive to the responsible development of the state’s phosphate resources. The Institute has targeted areas of research responsibility. These are: reclamation alternatives in mining and processing, including wetlands reclamation, phosphogypsum storage areas and phosphatic clay containment areas; methods for more efficient, economical and environmentally balanced phosphate recovery and processing; disposal and utilization of phosphatic clay; and environmental effects involving the health and welfare of the people, including those effects related to radiation and water consumption. FIPR is located in Polk County, in the heart of the central Florida phosphate district. The Institute seeks to serve as an information center on phosphate-related topics and welcomes infomration requests made in person, or by mail, email, or telephone. Executive Director Paul R. Clifford Research Directors G. Michael Lloyd, Jr. -Chemical Processing J. Patrick Zhang -Mining & Beneficiation Steven G. Richardson -Reclamation Brian K. Birky -Public Health Publications Editor Karen J. Stewart Florida Institute of Phosphate Research 1855 West Main Street Bartow, Florida 33830 (863) 534-7 160 Fax: (863) 534-7165 http://www.fipr.state.fl.us HYDROLOGIC INVESTIGATION OF THE PHOSPHATE-MINED UPPER SADDLE CREEK WATERSHED, WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA FINAL REPORT Patrick Tara, P.E. Ken Trout Mark A. Ross, Ph.D., P.E. Jeffrey G. Vomacka, P.E. Mark Stewart, Ph.D., P.G. Center for Modeling Hydrologic and Aquatic Systems Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Department of Geology UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA TAMPA, FLORIDA 33620 Prepared for FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF PHOSPHATE RESEARCH 1855 West Main Street Bartow, Florida 33830 Project Number: 95-03-118 FIPR Project Manager: Steven G. Richardson November 2003 DISCLAIMER The contents of this report are reproduced herein as received from the contractor. The report may have been edited as to format in conformance with the FIPR Style Manual. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research, nor does mention of company names or products constitute endorsement by the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. PERSPECTIVE The FIPR Hydrologic Model (FHM) is an integrated surface and ground water computer simulation model that was developed as a tool for the assessment of the hydrologic impacts of mining and various land reclamation alternatives. The FHM also has great potential as a planning tool for designing wetland systems and for developing watershed reclamation or improvement plans. Construction of a highway, known as the Polk County Parkway, has resulted in the destruction or degradation of wetlands. Rather than mitigate those wetland losses by constructing numerous widely scattered "postage stamp" wetlands, it was proposed that larger wetland systems be constructed on mined lands at or near the Tenoroc Fish Management Area. This provided an opportunity to further calibrate and develop the FHM and also to use this computer simulation model to assist in the design and evaluation of various alternatives for watershed and wetland improvements. It has been observed that flows in the Peace River have declined. This has been attributed by various entities to reduced rainfall, to lower water tables due to groundwater pumping, or possibly to the effects of mining. The Saddle Creek watershed forms the northern headwaters of the Peace River. The project examined the hydrology of the Saddle Creek watershed, which contains large acreages of mined land, north of Lake Hancock. Hydrological data were collected to describe current hydrologic conditions and to further calibrate the FIPR Hydrologic Model. The project team worked in cooperation with the Upper Peace River Ecosystem Planning Committee (UPREPC), comprised of representatives from state, local and federal agencies, to examine the feasibility of constructing mitigation wetland systems on mined lands at or near the Tenoroc Fish Management Area. There was also interest in increasing flows (especially base flow) in the Peace River while also controlling flooding. Other FIPR funded hydrology projects that may be of interest to the reader: • Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Settling Area Investigation: Hydrologic Model Calibration and Ultimate Clay Elevation Prediction. FIPR Publication No. 03- 109-176. • Feasibility of Natural Treatment and Recharge of Wastewater and Surface Waters Using Mined Phosphate Lands. FIPR Publication No. 03-113-186. Steven G. Richardson FIPR Reclamation Research Director iii ABSTRACT The upper Saddle Creek basin is a rapidly developing watershed to the east of Lakeland, Florida along the I-4 development corridor. Saddle Creek is tributary to the Peace River, which has experienced significant stream flow decline in the last few decades. This project sought to construct a model that could be used to investigate the hydrologic conditions (historical and proposed) of this previously mined, urbanizing basin. Among the objectives of this study was the investigation of feasibility of creating large-scale wetland mitigation and ecosystem restoration on reclaimed mine land, and the reestablishment of a more historical hydrologic function of the Saddle Creek watershed. Another important objective was the demonstration of the calibration and utility of the FIPR Hydrologic Model, FHM, for large-scale mine reclamation. A supplemental contract provided for additional data collection and flood plain modeling of the upper Saddle Creek. This supplemental scope was added in response to concerns from regulatory agencies as to the effects this wetland mitigation might have on the hydrology of areas downstream. This report documents the findings of this investigation and is being submitted jointly to the funding agencies. It summarizes the collection of hydrologic data and current hydrologic conditions of the basin. The report describes model set-up and calibration for both the large-scale domain and the near-field detailed model of Saddle Creek. The model has been utilized in a predictive capacity for hydrologic assessment of ecosystem restoration plans. Seven major restoration alternatives or basin evolutions were investigated with the model as examples. Conclusions or recommendations as to the best restoration alternatives and scheduling of final hydrologic investigations for the engineering design phase are delayed pending agency input. The model has shown to be productive for analyzing hydraulic impacts and benefits associated with wetland restoration alternatives in the Saddle Creek basin. The model has also shown to be a useful tool in analyzing large-scale mine land reclamation hydrology. However, several fundamental hydrologic questions are posed concerning the hydrology of west-central Florida mined lands, reasons for observed flow declines and drainage of the surficial aquifer. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The researchers at USF would like to thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their assistance in data collection and field reconnaissance and the use of facilities at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area and the FDEP Bureau of Mine Reclamation for their assistance. We would also like to thank the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research and the Department of Environmental Protection for providing the grants to make this research possible. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS PERSPECTIVE.................................................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................5 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................7 MODEL DEVELOPMENT.................................................................................................9 Upper Peace River Far-Field Model........................................................................9 Model Conceptualization.............................................................................9 Model Domain and Boundary Conditions .................................................10 Basins.............................................................................................10 Hydrography ..................................................................................10 Groundwater Grid Domain ............................................................13 Water Table....................................................................................13 Hydrostratigraphy ..........................................................................17 Initial Conditions...........................................................................19 Meteorologic and Hydrologic Time Series................................................19 Rainfall...........................................................................................19 Evapotranspiration .........................................................................20