Weeki Wachee SWIM Plan
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Weeki Wachee River Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan A Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan March 2017 Weeki Wachee River SWIM Plan Weeki Wachee River SWIM Plan Springs Coast Steering Committee Members Each spring system in the Springs Coast region is a unique, complex system with different sets of challenges. To address these issues, the Springs Coast Steering Committee (SCSC) was formed of local, regional and state agencies. The first goal of the SCSC is to develop management plans tailored for each spring system to identify issues, objectives, projects and responsibilities. This document serves as satisfaction of that first goal for the Weeki Wachee River. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District’s Human Resources Bureau Chief, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796- 7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4703; or email [email protected]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). i Weeki Wachee River SWIM Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 6 The Springs Coast ............................................................................................................................... 6 Springs Coast Steering & Management Committees .......................................................................... 8 Springs Coast Technical Working Group ......................................................................................... 10 The SWIM Act & SWIM Priority Water Bodies ................................................................................... 10 What Makes a Healthy Spring? ......................................................................................................... 11 System Description ........................................................................................................................... 12 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Hydrology ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Ecology ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Historical Context ............................................................................................................................. 28 Land Use ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Issues and Drivers ................................................................................................................................ 31 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................... 31 Water Quantity .................................................................................................................................. 37 Natural Systems................................................................................................................................. 41 Management Actions ............................................................................................................................ 43 Quantifiable Objectives .................................................................................................................... 43 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................... 44 Water Quantity .................................................................................................................................. 46 Natural Systems................................................................................................................................. 47 Projects and Initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 49 Ongoing Projects and Initiatives ....................................................................................................... 49 Water Quality Projects................................................................................................................... 49 Water Quantity Projects................................................................................................................. 57 Natural Systems Projects ............................................................................................................... 68 ii Weeki Wachee River SWIM Plan Proposed Priority Projects and Initiatives ......................................................................................... 70 Water Quality Projects................................................................................................................... 70 Water Quantity Projects................................................................................................................. 75 Natural Systems Projects ............................................................................................................... 77 References ............................................................................................................................................ 80 Appendix A: Technical Working Group Participant List ...................................................................... 83 Appendix B: Permitted Point Sources .................................................................................................. 89 Appendix C: Jurisdictional Authority ................................................................................................. 106 Appendix D: List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................... 114 Appendix E: Partners and Programs ................................................................................................. 116 Appendix F: Draft Potential Projects and Initiatives to Support Management Actions....................... 129 iii Weeki Wachee River SWIM Plan List of Figures Figure 1: Water Quality Projects by Management Action Category ...................................................... 3 Figure 2: Water Quantity Projects by Management Action Category .................................................... 4 Figure 3: Natural Systems Projects by Management Action Category .................................................. 5 Figure 4: SWFWMD Major Springsheds ................................................................................................ 6 Figure 5: Weeki Wachee Watershed and Springshed Boundaries ........................................................ 7 Figure 6: Generalized Hydrogeology of the Weeki Wachee Springshed ........................................... 17 Figure 7: Weeki Wachee Springs Locations ........................................................................................ 18 Figure 8: Three ecological zones of the Weeki Wachee River ............................................................. 19 Figure 9: Exceptional Water Clarity in the Weeki Wachee River ......................................................... 20 Figure 10: Dense Development near the Weeki Wachee River ........................................................... 29 Figure 11: Weeki Wachee Springshed Land Use in 2009 and 1995 ...................................................... 30 Figure 12: Weeki Wachee River Water Quality Data Stations ............................................................. 31 Figure 13: Nitrate Changes in Weeki Wachee Spring ......................................................................... 32 Figure 14: Nitrogen Inputs to Groundwater in the Weeki Wachee River BMAP Area by Source Category .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Figure 15: Water Clarity in the Weeki Wachee River .......................................................................... 35 Figure 16: Sea Level Data from Cedar Key, Florida .............................................................................. 36 Figure 17: Salinity Changes in the Lower Weeki Wachee River ........................................................... 36 Figure 18: Annual Average Flow Observed in the Weeki Wachee River ............................................. 38 Figure 19: Groundwater Withdrawals within the Weeki Wachee Springshed from 1992-2013 ............ 39 Figure 20: Groundwater Withdrawals by Category within the Weeki Wachee Springshed ................ 40 Figure 21: SAV Coverage and Biomass in the Weeki Wachee River ...................................................