Crystal River/Kings Bay, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka, and Weeki Wachee (Figure 4)
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SCMC Final Draft Homosassa Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan A Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan February 2017 Homosassa River SWIM Plan Homosassa 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 Homosassa 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 Homosassa 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 ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Ecology ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Historical Context ............................................................................................................................. 22 Land Use ........................................................................................................................................... 26 Issues and Drivers ................................................................................................................................ 29 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................... 29 Water Quantity .................................................................................................................................. 35 Natural Systems................................................................................................................................. 38 Management Actions ............................................................................................................................ 42 Quantifiable Objectives .................................................................................................................... 43 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................... 43 Water Quantity .................................................................................................................................. 45 Natural Systems................................................................................................................................. 46 Projects and Initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 48 Ongoing Projects and Initiatives ....................................................................................................... 48 Water Quality Projects................................................................................................................... 48 Water Quantity Projects................................................................................................................. 55 Natural Systems Projects ............................................................................................................... 66 ii Homosassa River SWIM Plan Proposed Priority Projects and Initiatives ......................................................................................... 69 Water Quality Projects................................................................................................................... 69 Water Quantity Projects................................................................................................................. 73 Natural Systems Projects ............................................................................................................... 76 References ............................................................................................................................................ 79 Appendix A: Technical Working Group Participant List ...................................................................... 83 Appendix B: Permitted Point Sources .................................................................................................. 89 Appendix C: Jurisdictional Authority ................................................................................................... 96 Appendix D: List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................... 104 Appendix E: Partners and Programs ................................................................................................. 107 Appendix F: Draft Potential Projects and Initiatives to Support Management Actions....................... 118 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................. 118 Water Quantity ................................................................................................................................ 121 Natural Systems............................................................................................................................... 122 iii Homosassa 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: Homosassa Watershed and Springshed Boundaries .............................................................. 7 Figure 6: Homosassa Springs Locations ............................................................................................... 16 Figure 7: Generalized Hydrogeology of the Homosassa Springshed .................................................. 17 Figure 8: Ruins of the historic Yulee Sugar Mill in Old Homosassa ...................................................... 22 Figure 9: Silver Springs, Ocala, and Gulf Railroad Company Engine #2............................................. 22 Figure 10: Homosassa Springs has been a popular tourist attraction since the early 1900’s ............... 23 Figure 11: Lucifer “Lu” the Hippopotamus and Honorary Florida Citizen ........................................... 24 Figure 12: The “Fishbowl” as Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park .................................... 25 Figure 13: Manatee “Intensive Care Unit” at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park ................................. 26 Figure 14: Land uses in the spring contributing area based on 2011 SWFWMD data ......................... 28 Figure 15: Homosassa River Water Quality Data Stations .................................................................... 29 Figure 16: Nitrate Changes in Several Homosassa River Springs ........................................................ 30 Figure 17: Nitrogen Inputs to Groundwater in the Homosassa River BMAP Area by Source Category (draft) ................................................................................................................................................... 32 Figure 18: Water