Trouble in Paradise
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Cooperative Management Initiative for St. Joseph Bay, Northwest Florida July 16, 2020
Cooperative Management Initiative for St. Joseph Bay, Northwest Florida July 16, 2020 Paul E. Thurman, PhD Program Manager, Minimum Flows and Levels NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT St. Joseph Bay • Approximately 42,502 acres • Bordered by: • St. Joseph Bay Peninsula • Cape San Blas • mainland Florida • Mouth of bay = 1.7 miles • City of Port St. Joe 2 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT St. Joseph Bay • Average depth = 21 ft (6.4 m) • Bay is relatively saline • Few natural surface water inputs • Many small tidal creeks • Gulf County Canal • Popular destination for scalloping, fishing, etc. • St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve created in 1969 • T.H. Stone Memorial Park 3 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT St. Joseph Bay Concerns • Areas of Concern • Sea Grass Density and Coverage • Coastal Development and Land Use Changes • Water Quality • DEP Impaired Water Bodies • Nutrients, Fecal coliform, bacteria • Relatively Limited Development • Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, St. Joe Peninsula • Numerous Septic Tanks, Largely Unverified • Limited Natural Surface Water Inputs • Gulf County Canal • Largest Waterway Connected to St. Joseph Bay 4 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Gulf County Canal • Finished in 1938 • Approved low water depth of between 6 and 8.9 ft • Width • Approximately 5.5 miles in length • Connects Intracoastal Waterway to St. Joseph Bay 5 NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Intracoastal Waterway • Finished in early 1940s • Navigable inland waterway for barges and shipping • Approved depth of 12 ft • 150 ft wide • 14.3 Miles East Bay to GCC • 7.5 Miles GCC to Lake Wimico • 5 Miles through Lake Wimico • 5 Miles Lake Wimico to Apalachicola River, aka Jackson River • 6 Miles Apalachicola River to Apalachicola Bay • Connects St. -
Climate Change: Effects on Salinity in Florida's Estuaries and Responses of Oysters, Seagrass, and Other Animal and Plant Life
SGEF-218 Climate Change: Effects on Salinity in Florida’s Estuaries and Responses of Oysters, Seagrass, and Other Animal and Plant Life1 Karl Havens2 Summary generated by wind, so water moves in and out much like it does in the ocean.) Florida’s economically important estuaries could be heavily impacted by sea-level rise and altered river flow, both caused by climate change. The resulting higher salinity, or saltiness of the water, could harm plants and animals, alter fish and bird habitat, and reduce the capacity of estuaries to provide such important services as seafood production and the protection of shorelines from erosion. Introduction Estuaries are one of the most productive kinds of ecosys- tems on earth, and they support a high diversity of fish, birds, and other kinds of plants and animals. Estuaries are bodies of water along the coastline that can be relatively enclosed bays or wide marshes at river mouths. They are places where fresh water from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea, creating a place with intermediate salinity. On average, the salinity of the open ocean is 35 parts per thousand (ppt). The salinity of rivers can range from 0.1 to 5 ppt. In estuaries, salinity is highly variable because of tidal effects and because of variation in freshwater inflow from rivers (Figure 1). (While the term estuary is mostly used Figure 1. Salinity, typically measured in units of parts per thousand for coastal systems where salty and fresh water mix, since (ppt), is the amount of salt that is present in water. In freshwater lakes, springs, and ponds it usually is near zero. -
Current Status of Oyster Reefs in Florida Waters: Knowledge and Gaps
Current Status of Oyster Reefs in Florida Waters: Knowledge and Gaps Dr. William S. Arnold Florida FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Lab 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-896-8626 [email protected] Outline • History-statewide distribution • Present distribution – Mapped populations and gaps – Methodological variation • Ecological status • Application Need to Know Ecological value of oyster reefs will be clearly defined in subsequent talks Within “my backyard”, at least some idea of need to protect and preserve, as exemplified by the many reef restoration projects However, statewide understanding of status and trends is poorly developed Culturally important- archaeological evidence suggests centuries of usage Long History of Commercial Exploitation US Landings (Lbs of Meats x 1000) 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Statewide: Economically important: over $2.8 million in landings value for Florida fishery in 2003 Most of that value is from Franklin County (Apalachicola Bay), where 3000 landings have been 2500 2000 relatively stable since 1985 1500 1000 In other areas of state, 500 0 oysters landings are on 3000 decline due to loss of 2500 Franklin County 2000 access, degraded water 1500 quality, and loss of oyster 1000 populations 500 0 3000 Panhandle other 2500 2000 1500 1000 Pounds500 of Meats (x 1000) 0 3000 Peninsular West Coast 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Peninsular East Coast 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 MAPPING Tampa Bay Oyster Maps More reef coverage than anticipated, but many of the reefs are moderately to severely degraded Kathleen O’Keife will discuss Tampa Bay oyster mapping methods in the next talk Caloosahatchee River and Estero Bay Aerial imagery used to map reefs, verified by ground-truthing Southeast Florida oyster maps • Used RTK-GPS equipment to map in both the horizontal and the vertical. -
FORGOTTEN COAST® VISITOR GUIDE Apalachicola
FORGOTTEN COAST® VISITOR GUIDE APALACHICOLA . ST. GEORGE ISLAND . EASTPOINT . SURROUNDING AREAS OFFICIAL GUIDE OF THE APALACHICOLA BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APALACHICOLABAY.ORG 850.653-9419 2 apalachicolabay.org elcome to the Forgotten Coast, a place where you can truly relax and reconnect with family and friends. We are commonly referred to as WOld Florida where You will find miles of pristine secluded beaches, endless protected shallow bays and marshes, and a vast expanse of barrier islands and forest lands to explore. Discover our rich maritime culture and history and enjoy our incredible fresh locally caught seafood. Shop in a laid back Furry family members are welcome at our beach atmosphere in our one of a kind locally owned and operated home rentals, hotels, and shops and galleries. shops. There are also dog-friendly trails and Getting Here public beaches for dogs on The Forgotten Coast is located on the Gulf of Mexico in leashes. North Florida’s panhandle along the Big Bend Scenic Byway; 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee and 60 miles east of Panama City. The area features more than Contents 700 hundred miles of relatively undeveloped coastal Apalachicola ..... 5 shoreline including the four barrier islands of St. George, Dog, Cape St. George and St. Vincent. The Eastpoint ........ 8 coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George St. George Island ..11 Island, Eastpoint, Carrabelle and Alligator Point are accessible via US Highway 98. By air, the Forgotten Things To Do .....18 Coast can be reached through commercial airports in Surrounding Areas 16 Tallahassee http://www.talgov.com/airport/airporth- ome.aspx and Panama City www.iflybeaches.comand Fishing & boating . -
Exhibit Specimen List FLORIDA SUBMERGED the Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Eocene (145 to 34 Million Years Ago) PARADISE ISLAND
Exhibit Specimen List FLORIDA SUBMERGED The Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Eocene (145 to 34 million years ago) FLORIDA FORMATIONS Avon Park Formation, Dolostone from Eocene time; Citrus County, Florida; with echinoid sand dollar fossil (Periarchus lyelli); specimen from Florida Geological Survey Avon Park Formation, Limestone from Eocene time; Citrus County, Florida; with organic layers containing seagrass remains from formation in shallow marine environment; specimen from Florida Geological Survey Ocala Limestone (Upper), Limestone from Eocene time; Jackson County, Florida; with foraminifera; specimen from Florida Geological Survey Ocala Limestone (Lower), Limestone from Eocene time; Citrus County, Florida; specimens from Tanner Collection OTHER Anhydrite, Evaporite from early Cenozoic time; Unknown location, Florida; from subsurface core, showing evaporite sequence, older than Avon Park Formation; specimen from Florida Geological Survey FOSSILS Tethyan Gastropod Fossil, (Velates floridanus); In Ocala Limestone from Eocene time; Barge Canal spoil island, Levy County, Florida; specimen from Tanner Collection Echinoid Sea Biscuit Fossils, (Eupatagus antillarum); In Ocala Limestone from Eocene time; Barge Canal spoil island, Levy County, Florida; specimens from Tanner Collection Echinoid Sea Biscuit Fossils, (Eupatagus antillarum); In Ocala Limestone from Eocene time; Mouth of Withlacoochee River, Levy County, Florida; specimens from John Sacha Collection PARADISE ISLAND The Oligocene (34 to 23 million years ago) FLORIDA FORMATIONS Suwannee -
Simulating the Response of Estuarine Salinity to Natural and Anthropogenic Controls
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering Article Simulating the Response of Estuarine Salinity to Natural and Anthropogenic Controls Vladimir A. Paramygin 1,*, Y. Peter Sheng 1, Justin R. Davis 1 and Karen Herrington 2 1 Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-6580, USA; [email protected]fl.edu (Y.P.S.); [email protected]fl.edu (J.R.D.) 2 Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Ecological Services Midwest Regional Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]fl.edu; Tel.: +1-352-294-7763 Academic Editor: Richard P. Signell Received: 18 July 2016; Accepted: 8 November 2016; Published: 16 November 2016 Abstract: The response of salinity in Apalachicola Bay, Florida to changes in water management alternatives and storm and sea level rise is studied using an integrated high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling system based on Curvilinear-grid Hydrodynamics in 3D (CH3D), an oyster population model, and probability analysis. The model uses input from river inflow, ocean and atmospheric forcing and is verified with long-term water level and salinity data, including data from the 2004 hurricane season when four hurricanes impacted the system. Strong freshwater flow from the Apalachicola River and good connectivity of the bay to the ocean allow the estuary to restore normal salinity conditions within a few days after the passage of a hurricane. Various scenarios are analyzed; some based on observed data and others using altered freshwater inflow. For observed flow, simulated salinity agrees well with the observed values. In scenarios that reflect increased water demand (~1%) upstream of the Apalachicola River, the model results show slightly (less than 5%) increased salinity inside the Bay. -
A Light in the Dark: Illuminating the Maritime Past of The
A LIGHT IN THE DARK: ILLUMINATING THE MARITIME PAST OF THE BLACKWATER RIVER by Benjamin Charles Wells B.A., Mercyhurst University, 2010 A thesis submitted to the Department of Anthropology College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities The University of West Florida For partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts 2015 © 2015 Benjamin Charles Wells The thesis of Benjamin Charles Wells is approved: ____________________________________________ _________________ Gregory D. Cook, Ph.D., Committee Member Date ____________________________________________ _________________ Brian R. Rucker, Ph.D., Committee Member Date ____________________________________________ _________________ Della A. Scott-Ireton, Ph.D., Committee Chair Date Accepted for the Department/Division: ____________________________________________ _________________ John R. Bratten, Ph.D., Chair Date Accepted for the University: ____________________________________________ _________________ John Clune, Ph.D., Interim AVP for Academic Programs Date ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project would not have been possible without the help of numerous individuals. First and foremost, a massive thank you to my committee—Dr. Della Scott-Ireton, Dr. Greg Cook, and Dr. Brian Rucker. The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute supplied the materials and financial support to complete the field work. Steve McLin, Fritz Sharar, and Del de Los Santos maintained the boats and diving equipment for operations. Cindi Rogers, Juliette Moore, and Karen Mims – you three ladies saved me, and encouraged me more than you will ever know. To those in the Department of Anthropology who provided assistance and support, thank you. Field work would not have occurred without the graduate and undergraduate students in the 2013 and 2014 field schools and my fellow graduate students on random runs to the river. -
Florida Marine Research Institute
ISSN 1092-194X FLORIDA MARINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE TECHNICALTECHNICAL REPORTSREPORTS Florida’s Shad and River Herrings (Alosa species): A Review of Population and Fishery Characteristics Richard S. McBride Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FMRI Technical Report TR-5 2000 Jeb Bush Governor of Florida Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Allan E. Egbert Executive Director The Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) is a division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Con- servation Commission (FWC). The FWC is “managing fish and wildlife resources for their long- term well-being and the benefit of people.” The FMRI conducts applied research pertinent to managing marine-fishery resources and marine species of special concern in Florida. Programs at the FMRI focus on resource-management topics such as managing gamefish and shellfish populations, restoring depleted fish stocks and the habitats that support them, pro- tecting coral reefs, preventing and mitigating oil-spill damage, protecting endangered and threatened species, and managing coastal-resource information. The FMRI publishes three series: Memoirs of the Hourglass Cruises, Florida Marine Research Publi- cations, and FMRI Technical Reports. FMRI Technical Reports contain information relevant to imme- diate resource-management needs. Kenneth D. Haddad, Chief of Research James F. Quinn, Jr., Science Editor Institute Editors Theresa M. Bert, Paul R. Carlson, Mark M. Leiby, Anne B. Meylan, Robert G. Muller, Ruth O. Reese Judith G. Leiby, Copy Editor Llyn C. French, Publications Production Florida’s Shad and River Herrings (Alosa species): A Review of Population and Fishery Characteristics Richard S. McBride Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Marine Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue Southeast St. -
Freshwater Records.Indd
STATE-RECORD FRESHWATER FISH (Information Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) Largemouth Bass 17.27 lbs. Billy M. O’Berry July 6,1986 Unnamed lake, Polk County Redeye Bass 7.83 lbs. William T. Johnson Feb. 18, 1989 Apalachicola River, Gadsden Co. Spotted Bass 3.75 lbs. Dow Gilmore June 24, 1985 Apalachicola River, Gulf Co. Suwannee Bass 3.89 lbs. Ronnie Everett March 2,1985 Suwannee River, Gilchrist Co. Striped Bass 42.25 lbs. Alphonso Barnes Dec. 14,1993 Apalachicola River, Gadsden Co. Peacock Bass 9.08 lbs. Jerry Gomez Mar. 11,1993 Kendall Lakes, Dade County Oscar 2.34 lbs. Jimmy Cook Mar. 16,1994 Lake Okeechobee, Palm Beach Skipjack Herring Open (Qualifying weight is 2.5 lbs.) White Bass 4.69 lbs. Richard S. Davis April 9,1982 Apalachicola River, Gadsden Co. Sunshine Bass 16.31 lbs. Thomas R. Elder May 9,1985 Lake Seminole, Jackson County Black Crappie 3.83 lbs. Ben F. Curry, Sr. Jan. 21, 1992 Lake Talquin, Gadsden County Flier 1.24 lbs. William C. Lane, Jr. Aug. 14, 1992 Lake Iamonia, Leon County Bluegill 2.95 lbs. John R. LeMaster Apr. 19,1989 Crystal Lake Washington County Redbreast Sunfish 2.08 lbs. Jerrell DeWees, Jr. April 29, 1988 Suwannee River, Gilchrist County Redear Sunfish 4.86 lbs. Joseph M. Floyd Mar. 13, 1986 Merritts Mill Pond, Jackson Co. Spotted Sunfish .83 lbs. Coy Dotson May 12,1984 Suwannee River, Columbia Co. Warmouth 2.44 lbs. Tony Dempsey Oct. 19, 1985 Yellow Riv. (Guess Lk.) Okaloosa Chain Pickerel 6.96 lbs. -
Chapter 1: the Everglades to the 1920S Introduction
Chapter 1: The Everglades to the 1920s Introduction The Everglades is a vast wetland, 40 to 50 miles wide and 100 miles long. Prior to the twentieth century, the Everglades occupied most of the Florida peninsula south of Lake Okeechobee.1 Originally about 4,000 square miles in extent, the Everglades included extensive sawgrass marshes dotted with tree islands, wet prairies, sloughs, ponds, rivers, and creeks. Since the 1880s, the Everglades has been drained by canals, compartmentalized behind levees, and partially transformed by agricultural and urban development. Although water depths and flows have been dramatically altered and its spatial extent reduced, the Everglades today remains the only subtropical ecosystem in the United States and one of the most extensive wetland systems in the world. Everglades National Park embraces about one-fourth of the original Everglades plus some ecologically distinct adjacent areas. These adjacent areas include slightly elevated uplands, coastal mangrove forests, and bays, notably Florida Bay. Everglades National Park has been recognized as a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Re- serve, and a Wetland of International Importance. In this work, the term Everglades or Everglades Basin will be reserved for the wetland ecosystem (past and present) run- ning between the slightly higher ground to the east and west. The term South Florida will be used for the broader area running from the Kississimee River Valley to the toe of the peninsula.2 Early in the twentieth century, a magazine article noted of the Everglades that “the region is not exactly land, and it is not exactly water.”3 The presence of water covering the land to varying depths through all or a major portion of the year is the defining feature of the Everglades. -
Turkey Point Units 6 & 7 COLA
Turkey Point Units 6 & 7 COL Application Part 2 — FSAR SUBSECTION 2.4.1: HYDROLOGIC DESCRIPTION TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.4 HYDROLOGIC ENGINEERING ..................................................................2.4.1-1 2.4.1 HYDROLOGIC DESCRIPTION ............................................................2.4.1-1 2.4.1.1 Site and Facilities .....................................................................2.4.1-1 2.4.1.2 Hydrosphere .............................................................................2.4.1-3 2.4.1.3 References .............................................................................2.4.1-12 2.4.1-i Revision 6 Turkey Point Units 6 & 7 COL Application Part 2 — FSAR SUBSECTION 2.4.1 LIST OF TABLES Number Title 2.4.1-201 East Miami-Dade County Drainage Subbasin Areas and Outfall Structures 2.4.1-202 Summary of Data Records for Gage Stations at S-197, S-20, S-21A, and S-21 Flow Control Structures 2.4.1-203 Monthly Mean Flows at the Canal C-111 Structure S-197 2.4.1-204 Monthly Mean Water Level at the Canal C-111 Structure S-197 (Headwater) 2.4.1-205 Monthly Mean Flows in the Canal L-31E at Structure S-20 2.4.1-206 Monthly Mean Water Levels in the Canal L-31E at Structure S-20 (Headwaters) 2.4.1-207 Monthly Mean Flows in the Princeton Canal at Structure S-21A 2.4.1-208 Monthly Mean Water Levels in the Princeton Canal at Structure S-21A (Headwaters) 2.4.1-209 Monthly Mean Flows in the Black Creek Canal at Structure S-21 2.4.1-210 Monthly Mean Water Levels in the Black Creek Canal at Structure S-21 2.4.1-211 NOAA -
Restoring Apalachicola Bay and Region
The Apalachicola Project Phase 1: Restoring Apalachicola Bay and Region 1 Appendix A: Council Member Applicant and Proposal Information Summary Sheet Point of Contact: John Dondero Council Member: USDA Phone: 404-347-7200 Email: [email protected] Project Identification Project Title: The Apalachicola Project Phase 1: Restoring Apalachicola Bay and Region Project State(s): Florida County/City/Region: Franklin county/ Apalachicola/ Apalachicola River General Location: Projects must be located within the Gulf Coast Region as defined in RESTORE Act. (attach map or photos, if applicable) Eastern Florida Panhandle, Apalachicola Region Project Description RESTORE Goals: Identify all RESTORE Act goals this project supports. Place a P for Primary Goal, and S for secondary goals. _S Restore and Conserve Habitat Replenish and Protect Living Coastal and Marine Resources _P Restore Water Quality _S Enhance Community Resilience _S Restore and Revitalize the Gulf Economy RESTORE Objectives: Identify all RESTORE Act objectives this project supports. Place a P for Primary Objective, and S for secondary objectives. _S Restore, Enhance, and Protect Habitats S_ Promote Community Resilience _P_ Restore, Improve, and Protect Water Resources S Promote Natural Resource Stewardship and Protect and Restore Living Coastal and Marine Resources Environmental Education S Restore and Enhance Natural Processes and Shorelines S Improve Science-Based Decision-Making Processes RESTORE Priorities: Identify all RESTORE Act priorities that this project supports. X Priority 1: Projects that are projected to make the greatest contribution X Priority 2: Large-scale projects and programs that are projected to substantially contribute to restoring X Priority 3: Projects contained in existing Gulf Coast State comprehensive plans for the restoration ….