Chapter 12: Peripheral Ecosystems of the Everglades

what are the 5 transitional ecosystems

caloosahatchee river and lower charlotte harbor

st lucie river and indian river lagoon

loxahatchee river

lake worth lagoon

biscayne bay

what are the two prominent embayments on the west coast

Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

what is charlotte’s harbor

modern configuration began 5,000 years ago.

35 miles in length, receives freshwater from 3 rivers

northern most end is myakka river

where did water originally come from entering into charlotte harbor?

based on rainfall combined with delayed releases from watershed’s abundant wetlands

what man made changes have affected charlotte harbor

excessive releases of phosphorus from accidental breaches of containment dikes

over enrichment causes eutrophication

oxygen depletion in north, killed fish and shellfish

the caloosahatchee historic condition

always had a lower estuary

hicpochee is close, intervening sawgrass connection

insignificant water flow

what modifications were made to the caloosahatchee

separated the watersheds of caloosahatchee and kissimmee lake.

dredge moved up stream, removing obstacles in lower river

1915: additional work was done on upper river

what were the changes to the caloosahatchee based on

1. use of the caloosahatchee as a major flood control outlet for Lake O

2. concurrent uses for navigation

3. water supply for the ft myers area. Natural river had been canalized and designated C-43

what did the caloosahatchee managed system cause

1. salinity oscillations far greater than the natural ones

2. nutrient problems throughout

what are endangered species in the area

florida manatees

kemps or ridley turtle

smalltoosh sawfish

what is the caloosahatchee river watershed protection plan

developed by state agencies 2009, 2012

10,700 acre reservoir s of Rt. 80

helps buffer the system

St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon

indian river: not a river but tidal coastal lagoon

natural drainage divide between lake O breached in 1920’s

canal constructed from lake O to atlantic for lowering lake’s level

major problems attributed to releases from Lake O through St. Lucie Canal

sedimentation

nutrient enrichment

loss of submerged aquatic vegetation

oyster beds have become scarce

fish lesions

2007 water resources development act

build and operate 12,600 acres of new reservoirs

build and operate 8,700 acres of new stormwater treatment areas to reduce nutrients

restore natural hydrology on 92,000 acres in watershed

muck removal

restore 3,100 acres of floodplain wetlands in N. Fork