Minimum Flows for Paddling Trails

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Minimum Flows for Paddling Trails Minimum Flows for Florida Paddling Trails Have you ever driven to a river and found it too low to paddle? This chart can help you determine ahead of time if a designated paddling trail has sufficient water levels for paddling without frequently scraping the bottom or portaging over snags. Using this chart and the availability of river gages that can be accessed online via satellite, a paddler, outfitter or trip leader can better plan an outing before embarking. Bear in mind that gages can only determine water levels and discharge rate, and not the conditions of rivers in regards to snags. In such cases, or where gages are not present, it is best to contact a nearby outfitter or paddling club. Outfitters, public land managers and knowledgeable paddlers are an integral part of this ongoing data collection process. Feedback and input is welcome. Please contact Doug Alderson with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails. This chart should be used in conjunction with the Office of Greenways and Trails website page for Florida's Designated Paddling Trails. The chart is only designed to be relevant to the river sections that are part of a designated paddling trail, and measurements are for gage height and not discharge rate. Note: It is generally unsafe to paddle a river during flood stage. Websites for online gages referenced: United States Geological Survey (USGS) by river basin USGS gages by county Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Tide Charts On this website, you can check tides for 112 sites along the Gulf of Mexico On this link, you can check tides for 102 sites along Florida This site covers 172 sites along the Keys N/A = no information available at this time or not applicable Minimum Flows Chart Paddling Trail Section most Gage used Min. level for affected by low good paddling water Perdido Contact USGS Best between 2-6 Adventures feet; avoid flood Unlimited, 02376500 stage around 13 Perdido: 850-968- feet Barrineau Park 5529 Coldwater Creek Contact USGS N/A Adventures Unlimited: 850- 02370500 623-6197 Milton Sweetwater/Juniper Above Red Rock No online gage N/A Creek Bridge. Contact Adventures Unlimited: 850- 968-5529 or Bob's Canoe Rentals: 850-623- 5457. Blackwater River Consistently USGS N/A navigable. 02370000 Contact Action on Blackwater: 850- Baker 537-2997 Yellow River Above Milligan USGS 1-2 feet or above (Hwy 90) 02368000 Milligan Shoal River Usually navigable USGS N/A below Hwy 90 02369000 Mossy Head Choctawhatchee Exposed USGS Best levels for River Blueway sandbars may not paddling and be available 02365200 sandbar camping during high water Pittman is below 10 feet levels Holmes Creek Springfed. All of USGS N/A designated trail navigable. 02366000 Vernon Econfina Creek Between Scott's NWFWMD Best between 2 Bridge and 544 and 4 feet. Note: Walsingham gage is not Park. Call Scott's Bridge online. Econfina Creek Canoe Livery, 850-722-9032. Chipola River Designated trail USGS Above 12 feet usually navigable. not 02358789 recommended Contact Bear Paw for beginners. Canoe Rentals, Marianna 850-482-4948 Upper Chipola River Snags are No gage prevalent during low water Merritt’s Mill Pond Always navigable N/A Apalachicola River Most sandbars for USGS Below 44 feet for Blueway camping are 02358000 good sandbars; under water river not during high water Chattahoochee recommended during flood stage Apalachicola River N/A Tidally influenced Paddling Trail System Ochlockonee River All. Upper river is USGS Above 12.5 feet North prone to snags. 02329000 Havana Ochlockonee River Above Whitehead USGS Above South Landing 02330000 Bloxham Sopchoppy River Oak Park USGS Above 8.5 feet Cemetery Bridge to Mt. Beeser 02327100 Church Bridge Oak Park Apalachee Bay Smaller tidal N/A Tidally influenced Paddling Trail creeks are not System (Chaires passable at low Creek…) tide Wakulla River Spring-fed river, N/A always navigable Lake Jackson Every few years, No gage N/A sinkhole can dry up lake Wacissa River Slave Canal. Best USGS 7.5 feet median on a high tide. 02326550 (tidally influenced) Nutall Rise Aucilla River All, especially USGS 48-50 feet shoals and above Hwy 27 02326500 Lamont Econfina River Above park boat USGS Above 7.5 feet ramp 02326000 Near Perry Withlacoochee River Above Blue SRWMD Above 54 feet North Springs State Park Pinetta Suwannee River Above Suwannee USGS Above 52 feet North Springs. Big Shoals may 02315500 require portaging White Springs below 55 feet For upper river around Fargo, GA, SRWMD Fargo gage should read above 93.5 feet Suwannee River consistently SRWMD Above 35 feet South navigable below Suwannee Suwannee Springs, although Springs some shoals can be present Big Bend Saltwater Tidally influenced. N/A Paddling Trail Log onto FWC website for more information. Steinhatchee River Upper river and USGS 11-15 feet falls can be impassable in low 02324000 water conditions Cross City Santa Fe Above Hwy. 27 SRWMD Above 32 feet Bridge is often low. 1-2 low spots U.S. 441 below 27 if 441 Bridge gage is below 31.5. Contact Santa Fe Canoe Outpost: 386-454-2050 Ichetucknee River Spring-fed; water N/A levels always suitable Potano Paddling Trail Lake levels are No gage N/A usually sufficient; creek to CR 234 can be impassable in low water St. Mary's Low water can USGS Above 2 feet reveal numerous snags in upper 02231000 river near Macclenny Macclenny. Contact St. Mary's River Fish Camp: 866-845- 4443 Pellicer Always navigable. USGS N/A Contact Faver- 02247222 Dykes State Park: Espanola 904-794-0997 Bulow Creek Always navigable No gage N/A Contact Bulow Creek State Park: 386-676-4050 Tomoka Always navigable. USGS N/A Contact Tomoka 02247510 State Park: Holly Hill 386-676-4050 Spruce Creek Contact Cracker USGS Most of river is Creek Outfitters tidally influenced 386-304-0778 02248000 Samsula Putnam County Water levels are N/A Blueways generally suitable Withlacoochee River Lacoochee to USGS Above 38 feet for South Silver Lake. upper section Contact Nobleton 02312558 Outpost: 352-796- Nobleton 7176 (open Fri- Mon). Wekiva River/Rock Springfed. USGS N/A Springs Run Wekiva is usually navigable but 02235000 Rock Springs Run Near Sanford can be low at times. Call King's Landing outfitters: 407-886-0859. Econlockhatchee Contact Florida USGS Can be snags in Outback upper river if Adventures: 407- 02233484 below 11 feet 302-5550 or Oviedo Hidden River Park: 407-568- 5346. Pithlachascotee River usually USGS N/A navigable below Grey Preserve 02310300 Near New Port Richey Hillsborough Above Sargeant USGS N/A Park can become shallow 02303330 Contact Canoe Near Escape: 813-986- Thonotosassa 2067 Alafia River is generally USGS N/A navigable 02301500 Lithia Little Manatee Call Canoe USGS Above 2 feet Outpost: 813-634- 2228 or Little 02300500 Manatee Wimauma Kayaking, LLC 813-777-0021 Paddle Manatee Most of the 75- N/A mile trail network is tidally influenced. Upper Manatee Contact Ray's N/A Canoe Hideaway: (888) 572-2663 Charlotte County Tidally influenced Tidally influenced Blueways Peace Above Zolfo USGS Above 72 feet Springs 02294898 Call Canoe Outpost: 800-268- Ft. Meade 0083 Below Zolfo, may have to zig-zag to find deep enough water during low rainfall periods. Buster Island Trail can be No gage N/A impassable in low water. Inquire with Lake Kissimmee State park: 863-696- 1112. Loxahatchee Above Trapper No gage Often low in Nelson's historic spring. Must pull site. Call Canoe over small Outfitters: 561- wooden dams. 746-7053 (open Th-Mon). Jupiter Waterway Eastern half of No gage N/A Trail trails are tidally influenced. Whiskey Creek Tidally influenced Tidally influenced Estero Bay and River Tidally influenced Tidally influenced Calusa Blueway Tidally influenced Tidally influenced Hickey Creek Always navigable N/A Blackwater Tidally influenced Tidally influenced River/Royal Palm Hammock FL Tidally influenced Tidally influenced Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail Updated 5/30/17 .
Recommended publications
  • Final Report of the Scientific Peer Review Panel on The
    Engineers, FINAL REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PEER REVIEW PANEL ON THE Scientists Planners& www.waterandair.com Environmental DATA AND METHODOLOGIES IN MFL Establishment for the Econfina River Prepared for SUWANNEE RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 9225 CR 49 Live Oak, Florida 32060 Prepared under Contract 03/04-137 By Water & Air Research, Inc. Peer Review Panel Ivan Chou, M.E., P.E. Louis Motz, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE. Jeffrey Hill, Ph.D. E. Lynn Mosura-Bliss, M.A. December 2015 REAL PEOPLE REAL SOLUTIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Introduction 1 SCOPE OF REVIEW REQUIRED BY THE DISTRICT 2 REVIEW CONSTRAINTS 3 TIMETABLE 3 RESULTS OF PEER REVIEW 4 REVIEW SUMMARY 6 CONCLUSIONS 8 Appendices: Appendix A – Resumes Appendix B – Peer Review Forms Econfina Peer Review Report for SRWMD.docx 1/12/2016 INTRODUCTION The Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL) Program within the State of Florida is based on the requirements of Chapter 373.042 Florida Statutes. This statute requires that either a Water Management District (WMD) or the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) establish minimum flows for surface watercourses and minimum levels for groundwaters and surface waters. The statutory description of a minimum flow is “the limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or ecology of the area” (Ch. 373.042 (1)(a), F.S.). The statute provides additional guidance to the WMDs and DEP on how to establish MFLs, including how they may be calculated, using the “best information available,” to reflect “seasonal variations,” when appropriate. Protection of non-consumptive uses also are to be considered as part of the process, but the decision on whether to provide for protection of non-consumptive uses is to be made by the Governing Board of the WMD or the DEP (Ch.
    [Show full text]
  • Before the Secretary of the Interior
    BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission PETITION TO LIST THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR (Ursus americanus floridanus) UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Notice of Petition: Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior Daniel M. Ashe, Director U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1849 C Street, NW 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 Washington, DC 20240 [email protected] [email protected] Cynthia Dohner, Regional Director Larry Williams, State Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region South Florida Ecological Services Office 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 400 1339 20th Street Atlanta, GA 30345 Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559 [email protected] [email protected] Douglas Krofta, Chief Branch of Listing, Endangered Species Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Rm 420 Arlington, VA 22203 [email protected] Petition to list the Florida black bear -2- Petitioners: Center for Biological Diversity (“Center”) is a nonprofit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of imperiled species and the habitat and climate they need to survive through science, policy, law and creative media. The Center is supported by more than 990,000 members and activists throughout the country. The Center works to secure a future for all species, great or small, hovering on the brink of extinction. With its Southeast office in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Center and its thousands of Florida members support the strongest protections for the Florida black bear. Animal Legal Defense Fund (“ALDF”) is a national nonprofit organization that has been working to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system for more than three decades.
    [Show full text]
  • JOSE OLIVIA, in His Official Capacity As Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Et Al., Defendants/Appellants, Case No
    Filing # 85428808 E-Filed 02/25/2019 12:13:33 PM IN THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL JOSE OLIVIA, in his official capacity as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, et al., Defendants/Appellants, Case No. 1D18-3141 v. L.T. Case Nos. 2018-CA-001423 2018-CA-002682 FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION, INC., et al., Plaintiffs/Appellees. ON APPEAL FROM A FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA INDEX TO APPENDIX TO AMICUS CURIAE FLORIDA SPRINGS COUNCIL, INC.’S BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF APPELLEES John R. Thomas Florida Bar No. 868043 Law Office of John R. Thomas, P.A. 8770 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street North St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 (727) 692-4384; [email protected] RECEIVED, 02/25/201912:14:54 PM,Clerk,First District CourtofAppeal Page 1 AMICUS CURIAE FLORIDA SPRINGS COUNCIL’S APPENDIX TO BRIEF Pursuant to Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.210 and 9.220, Amicus Curiae, Florida Springs Council, Inc. provides the following Appendix in support of its Amicus Curiae brief: DATE DESCRIPTION PAGES August 14, 2018 Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Department of 7 to 20 Environmental Protection Division of Water Restoration Assistance Springs Restoration Project Plan for the Legislative Budget Commission https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/ LBC%20Report%20FY2018-2019.pdf June 2018 June 2018 Florida Forever Five-Year Plan - 21 to 125 EXCERPT http://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/DSL/ OESWeb/FF2017/ FLDEP_DSL_SOLI_2018FloridaForever5Yr Plan_20180706.pdf June 2018 Suwannee River 126 to 243 Basin Management Action Plan (Lower Suwannee River, Middle Suwannee River, and Withlacoochee River Sub-basins) https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/ Suwannee%20Final%202018.pdf Page 2 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE I certify that the foregoing was prepared using Times New Roman, 14 point, as required by Rule 9.210(a)(2) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.
    [Show full text]
  • 30, House Districts
    30, Florida State Parks FY 2018-19 Data by 2020 House Districts (This compilation was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, February 2020) . State Wide Totals • 175 Florida State Parks and Trails (164 Parks / 11 Trails) comprising nearly 800,000 Acres • $2.6 billion direct impact to Florida’s economy • $176 million in sales tax revenue • 37,119 jobs supported • 29.5 million visitors served # of Economic Jobs Park House Districts Parks Impact Supported Visitors 1 Salzman, Michelle 0 2 Andrade, Robert Alexander “Alex” 3 35,086,662 491 399,461 Big Lagoon State Park 13,388,360 187 146,049 Perdido Key State Park 18,435,488 258 215,257 Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park 3,262,814 46 38,155 3 Williamson, Jayer 3 22,793,752 319 262,150 Blackwater Heritage State Trail 15,070,491 211 175,244 Blackwater River State Park 7,562,462 106 85,258 Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park 160,799 2 1,648 4 Maney, Thomas Patterson “Patt” 2 49,456,096 692 567,948 Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 8,154,105 114 91,652 Henderson Beach State Park 41,301,991 578 476,296 5 Drake, Brad 9 69,939,012 979 747,560 Camp Helen State Park 3,176,350 44 34,444 Deer Lake State Park 2,102,533 29 24,057 Eden Gardens State Park 3,186,404 45 35,924 Falling Waters State Park 5,760,818 81 59,390 Florida Caverns State Park 4,532,155 63 44,215 Grayton Beach State Park 19,551,524 274 212,050 Ponce de Leon Springs State Park 6,347,774 89 69,063 Three Rivers State Park 1,617,039 23 15,653 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 23,664,415 331 252,764 6 Trumbull, Jay 2 60,186,687 842 684,779 Camp Helen State Park 3,176,350 44 34,444 St.
    [Show full text]
  • Lake Talquin State Park a Pristine Lake Surrounded by Wooded Bluffs Is the Perfect Spot for a Family Adventure
    LAKE TALQUIN STATE PARK A PRISTINE LAKE SURROUNDED BY WOODED BLUFFS IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR A FAMILY ADVENTURE 2018 PARK FACTS VISITATION ECONOMIC LOCAL JOBS STAFF VOLUNTEERS ACRES IMPACT SUPPORTED 14,775 1,236,157 17 10* 4 426 * Shares staff with Econfina River State Park, Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, and San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park. Visitors to this park located in Tallahassee will find outstanding freshwater fishing with common species such as largemouth bass, striped bass, speckled perch, bream and catfish being caught off the park's boardwalk or dock. Bring your canoe or kayak to launch and explore the roughly 10,000-acre Lake Talquin. The park features a picnic area with tables and grills along with a pavilion that is perfect for family reunions, private parties and weddings. Plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org This information fact sheet was produced by the Florida State Parks Foundation, 2019 (FloridaStateParksFoundation.org) FLORIDA STATE PARKS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO FLORIDA’S WELL-BEING! The system of Florida State Parks and Trails is one of the state’s greatest success stories. It’s the ONLY system in the nation thrice awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence by its national peer group. Florida residents and, visitors from around the world, are drawn to Florida’s state parks and trails as the places to hike, bike, kayak, swim, fish, camp, lay on the beach, hunt for shells, learn about nature and Florida history, have family reunions, and even get married! Plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida: Sections 303(D), 305(B), and 314 Report and Listing Update
    2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida: Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Report and Listing Update Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration Florida Department of Environmental Protection June 2020 2600 Blair Stone Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 floridadep.gov 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida, June 2020 This Page Intentionally Blank. Page 2 of 160 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida, June 2020 Letter to Floridians Ron DeSantis FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF Governor Jeanette Nuñez Environmental Protection Lt. Governor Bob Martinez Center Noah Valenstein 2600 Blair Stone Road Secretary Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 June 16, 2020 Dear Floridians: It is with great pleasure that we present to you the 2020 Integrated Water Quality Assessment for Florida. This report meets the Federal Clean Water Act reporting requirements; more importantly, it presents a comprehensive analysis of the quality of our waters. This report would not be possible without the monitoring efforts of organizations throughout the state, including state and local governments, universities, and volunteer groups who agree that our waters are a central part of our state’s culture, heritage, and way of life. In Florida, monitoring efforts at all levels result in substantially more monitoring stations and water quality data than most other states in the nation. These water quality data are used annually for the assessment of waterbody health by means of a comprehensive approach. Hundreds of assessments of individual waterbodies are conducted each year. Additionally, as part of this report, a statewide water quality condition is presented using an unbiased random monitoring design. These efforts allow us to understand the state’s water conditions, make decisions that further enhance our waterways, and focus our efforts on addressing problems.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Cyanotoxins in Florida's Lakes, Reservoirs And
    Assessment of Cyanotoxins in Florida’s Lakes, Reservoirs and Rivers by Christopher D. Williams BCI Engineers and Scientists, Inc. Lakeland, FL. John W. Burns Andrew D. Chapman Leeanne Flewelling St. Johns River Water Management District Palatka, FL. Marek Pawlowicz Florida Department of Health/Bureau of Laboratories Jacksonville, FL. Wayne Carmichael Wright State University Dayton, OH. 2001 Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are population increases of algae above normal background levels and are defined by their negative impacts on the environment, the economy, and human health. Historically, many of Florida's largest and most utilized freshwater and estuarine systems have been plagued by occasional blooms of harmful algae. During the last decade, however, the frequency, duration, and concentration levels of these blooms in freshwater and brackish water have increased significantly, primarily due to changes in land utilization, changes in hydrology, increases in nutrient runoff, loss of aquatic vegetation, and a climate that is very conducive to algal growth and proliferation. In 1998, the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force was established to determine the extent to which HABs pose a problem for the state of Florida. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) were identified as top research priorities due to their potential to produce toxic chemicals and contaminate natural water systems. In June 1999, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) initiated a collaborative study in conjunction with the Florida Marine Research Institute, the Florida Department of Health, and Wright State University to determine the geographical distribution of various types of toxin-producing blue-green algae in Florida's surface waters and to positively identify any algal toxins present in these waters.
    [Show full text]
  • National Wildlife Refug,E,,___ Liiiiiiiiiii'iiiiii
    Camping along the Florida Trail Florida: a land of natural wonders. From the world's only Everglades to the sparkli ng white quartz dunes of the Stretching more than 1,300 miles across the state of Florida, from the sawgrass prairies of Big Cypress National Florida Panhandle, the Sunshine State hosts an incredible diversity of habitats. Haunting forests of dwarf cypress, Preserve to historic Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands Nati on al Seashore at Pensacola Beach, the Florida Trail provides tangled thickets of saw palmetto, open prairies bursting with wildflowers, and deep ravines lined with mountain laurel opportunities for both short hikes and extended backpacking outings. Walking is one of the best ways to maintain and rhododendron-the Florida Trail enables hikers to explore landscapes unlike any other trail in the nation. your health, so head outdoors and explore Florida's natural attractions along the Florida Trail. The Florida Trail: Florida's Footpath Forever History. The Florida National Scenic Trail leads James Kern, a wildlife photographer and real areas. Seventeen geographically distributed gaps in the trail , the USDA Forest Service seeks maintaining the trai l and Your Help is Needed to complete the Florida hikers through Florida's natural wonders as it estate broker, envisioned the Florida Trail while chapters serve the state. The association's to purchase land or permanent easement its bridges and National Scenic Trai l. Join the Florida Trail meanders 1,300 miles across the state. In 1983, hiking the Appalachian Trail in the early 19 Os. To headquarters are in Gainesville; trail staff of the agreements from willing landowners.
    [Show full text]
  • Econfina River State Park 2018 Approved Unit Management Plan
    Econfina River State Park Approved Unit Management Plan STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Division of Recreation and Parks October 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PARK ....................................... 1 Park Significance ................................................................................1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN..................................................... 2 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW ................................................... 7 Management Authority and Responsibility .............................................. 7 Park Management Goals ...................................................................... 8 Management Coordination ................................................................... 9 Public Participation ..............................................................................9 Other Designations .............................................................................9 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMPONENT INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 11 RESOURCE DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT..................................... 12 Natural Resources ............................................................................. 12 Topography .................................................................................. 12 Geology ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • St. Andrew Bay
    St. Andrew Bay By Michael S. Brim1 and Lawrence R. Handley2 Background St. Andrew Bay is unique because of its wealth of biological diversity. Keppner (2002) documented the diversity St. Andrew Bay has a watershed of approximately associated with the bay and compared it with surveys of 297,576 ha (735,300 acres, or 1,149 mi2) (Beck and others, Indian River Lagoon, Fla., which has been touted as the most 2000) (fig. 1). The bay is almost entirely within Bay County, biologically diverse estuary in North America. His report an area of over 2,590 km2 (1,000 mi2), which has a resident documents 2,913 species of plants and animals associated with population of more than 148,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002). St. Andrew Bay, nearly 400 more species than found in Panama City is the largest of seven municipalities surrounding the lagoon. the bay. Much of the county, however, is unincorporated land The bay is, however, a fragile ecosystem. Because traditionally supporting silviculture. of its high-salinity waters, the depths of the bay, the lack The primary industries in Bay County are tourism and the of significant freshwater inflow from land drainage, and military, with Tyndall Air Force Base playing a dominant role the minimal tidal regime, the bay is highly susceptible to in the community. The U.S. Navy’s Coastal Systems Station becoming polluted or contaminated. Chemicals and nutrients and the U.S. Coast Guard also share the bay’s shoreline. are not readily flushed from this bay, and the nature of the Most tourist activity occurs on Panama City Beach or upon deep sediments (rich in fine clays, silt, and organic carbon) bay waters.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 62-302: Surface Water Quality Standards
    Presented below are water quality standards that are in effect for Clean Water Act purposes. EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. Additionally, EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are not approved, disapproved, or are otherwise not in effect for Clean Water Act purposes. blue – not a standard black – standard TCHAPTER 62-302: WATER QUALITY STANDARDS Effective April 30, 2018 In instances where the EPA has determined that certain provisions are not considered new or revised water quality standards, the Agency has attempted to indicate those in blue text. However, the font color indicated within this document, should not be interpreted as the official position of the Agency, and primarily addresses recent reviews by the EPA. For more detailed explanations on the EPA’s analysis and rationale related to decisions of new or revised water quality standards, see the Agency’s historical decision documents and associated records or contact the appropriate Agency staff. Additionally, arrow boxes found in the margins of this document direct the reader to other new or revised water quality standards which are related to provisions found in Chapter 62-302 but are found in documents outside of the regulations and are generally incorporated by reference. (See Attachments A-E of this document). The State of Florida recently revised the table of surface water criteria set out at section 62-302, F.A.C., to incorporate new human health criteria and designated uses promulgated by the state in 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • Paddling Trails Leave No Trace Principles 5
    This brochure made possible by: Florida Paddling Trails Leave No Trace Principles 5. Watch for motorboats. Stay to the right and turn the When you paddle, please observe these principles of Leave bow into their wake. Respect anglers. Paddle to the No Trace. For more information, log on to Leave No Trace shore opposite their lines. at www.lnt.org. 6. Respect wildlife. Do not approach or harass wildlife, as they can be dangerous. It’s illegal to feed them. q Plan Ahead and Prepare q Camp on Durable Surfaces 7. Bring a cell phone in case of an emergency. Cell q Dispose of Waste Properly phone coverage can be sporadic, so careful preparation q Leave What You Find and contingency plans should be made in lieu of relying on q Minimize Campfire Impacts cell phone reception. q Respect Wildlife FloridaPaddling Trails q Be Considerate of Other Visitors 8. If you are paddling on your own, give a reliable A Guide to Florida’s Top person your float plan before you leave and www.FloridaGreenwaysAndTrails.com leave a copy on the dash of your car. A float Canoeing & Kayaking Trails Trail Tips plan contains information about your trip in the event that When you paddle, please follow these tips. Water you do not return as scheduled. Don’t forget to contact the conditions vary and it will be up to you to be person you left the float plan with when you return. You can prepared for them. download a sample float plan at http://www.floridastateparks.org/wilderness/docs/FloatPlan.pdf.
    [Show full text]