Minimum Flows and Levels for Upper Ocklawaha River Basin (UORB) Lakes

Transcription

1 Minimum Flows and Levels for Upper Ocklawaha River Basin (UORB) Lakes St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Recreation and Navigation Survey Presentation to Harris Council Andrew B. Sutherland, PhD January 9, 2015

2 SJRWMD Establishing Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) for UORB Lakes Limit at which further withdrawals would be significantly harmful to the water resources or the ecology of the area Section (1)(a), Florida Statutes (F.S.) 2

3 SJRWMD Establishing MFLs for UORB Lakes Designed to protect water resources Define acceptable levels of ecosystem change, while sustaining water resources Provide environmental constraints to water management decisions o Water supply planning o Consumptive use permitting Apply as basis for SJRWMD s assessment of cumulative environmental impacts 3

4 SJRWMD Establishing MFLs for UORB Lakes Water Resources Implementation Rule ( , Florida Administrative Code) (1) In establishing minimum flows and levels pursuant to Sections and , F.S., consideration shall be given to natural seasonal fluctuations in water flows or levels, nonconsumptive uses, and environmental values associated with coastal, estuarine, riverine, spring, aquatic, and wetlands ecology, including: (a) Recreation in and on the water (b) Fish and wildlife habitats and the passage of fish (c) Estuarine resources (d) Transfer of detrital material (e) Maintenance of freshwater storage and supply (f) Aesthetic and scenic attributes (g) Filtration and absorption of nutrients and other pollutants (h) Sediment loads (i) Water quality (j) Navigation 4

5 Water Resource Environmental Value (WRV) Definitions WRV definitions undefined in statutes or rules. SJRMWD developed working definitions in Peer reviewers support development of WRV assessments. Demonstrates SJRWMD s consideration of relevant WRVs during MFLs development. 5

6 Includes five separate assessments: Apopka Beauclair-Dora-Harris Eustis Griffin Yale Completed by SJRWMD staff Vast knowledge of lakes and manpower availability Addressing all relevant WRVs 6

7 Currently under development Recreation and navigation assessments (Dr. Sonny Hall is developing these WRVs) Recreation in and on the water The active use of water resources and associated natural system for personal activity and enjoyment. Navigation The safe passage of watercraft (e.g., boats and ships), which is dependent upon adequate water depth and channel width. 7

8 WRV assessment process Developed a web-based questionnaire Survey of businesses, residents and recreational users Survey results will assist the District: o o Describe water-related activities, recreation facilities, and primary recreational functions that could be affected by MFLs Define environmental targets for assessing MFLs impacts 8

9 Examples of environmental targets Bottom elevations at docks Minimum boat ramp elevations Lazy Oaks Marina Shallow elevations in Harris-Eustis canal 9

10 Environmental targets will allow SJRWMD to answer the following questions: How often (i.e., frequency) relative to historical conditions, will lake water levels fall below critical lake water levels (target elevations), as defined by the MFLs conditions? Are recreational uses and navigation protected by the MFLs water levels? 10

11 Example: Navigation Safe passage of watercraft, which is dependent upon adequate water depth and channel width General indicator provide adequate boat passage depth Specific indicator how often water levels fall below a critical lake stage (e.g., 34 ft-ngvd) for a critical number of days (e.g., 30, 60 and 183 days) 11

12 Is there a marked difference between how often lake stage falls below 34 ft under the MFLs conditions, as compared to historical conditions? 12

13 Questions? 13