Watershed Management

WATERSHED PLANNING

A watershed is the land area from which water flows into a stream, lake or bay. The County plans to develop a Watershed Management Plan for each of its drainage basins. These watershed plans guide the County in protecting and managing environmental resources, achieving improvements in water quality in the waters of the county, and providing flood protection when needed. These plans span over the course of several years.

ALLEN'S CREEK WATERSHED

The Allen's Creek Watershed is a typical urban stream in the central portion of Pinellas County. Pinellas County, the City of Largo, and the City of Clearwater agreed to fund and develop a watershed management plan to address the problems of poor creek water quality and degraded habitat. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the watershed plan in October 1996. Since plan adoption work has continued on numerous projects aimed to evaluate and improve the creek:

water quality monitoring
restoration of the "Lancaster" tract
post-construction monitoring at Maple Swamp
shoreline stabilization projects
removal of septic tanks
sewer hook-up

The Department of Environmental Management's Water Resources Management Section continued to monitor creek water quality. The Ambient Surface Water Quality Monitoring Report 1991-2002 concluded that over the 12-year monitoring period, the creek exhibited poor water quality. The 2003-2004 report is not finalized, but early results indicate water quality has not improved.

The County acquired the 14-acre "Lancaster" tract along a lower stretch of the main creek channel in 1999. County staff continued monitoring wildlife (birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) using the site until 2001. During 2000 a restoration plan design for the parcel was initiated. Nearly complete, the site restoration plan includes:

shoreline plantings to help stabilize the shoreline and improve habitat
removal of exotic vegetation
stormwater treatment ponds
future plans include a public education/learning center

The Maple swamp site restoration was completed in 1999 and the City of Clearwater has been maintaining the numerous plantings to ensure that satisfactory survival is attained. County staff continued wildlife monitoring in 2000, but the next wildlife surveys are not planned for several years to allow the restored site to mature. The City of Clearwater has various projects underway to provide drainage and road improvements and plans to realign the creek channel between Arcturas Pond and Gulf to Bay Boulevard. The City of Largo has recently extended sanitary sewer service to 53 and 153 Largo and County properties, respectively. Only two septic tanks remain in Largo's service area south of Belleair Road. In 2001, work by City of Largo was completed to install reclaimed water lines on St. Paul's Drive.
Lake Seminole Watershed
Lake Seminole, the second largest lake in the County, has had poor water quality for many years. In 1991 Pinellas County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District partnered to complete the Lake Seminole Diagnostic Feasibility Study. This study showed that the primary cause of the lake’s worsening water quality was stable water levels as well as excess fertilizers entering the lake from untreated stormwater. In 2001, the Lake Seminole Watershed Management Plan was completed. The plan built upon the diagnostic study by further evaluating the extent of the problem and developing recommendations to improve the lake’s overall health. Several projects recommended in the diagnostic study and the watershed plan have been completed. These include: the construction of an adjustable water level control structure, the design and construction of a new retention pond, the refurbishment of an existing stormwater pond, cattail harvesting, and two aquatic habitat restoration projects. For more information contact Kelli Hammer- Levy at (727) 464-4425. A comprehensive web page on the Lake Seminole watershed, including current projects, can be found here.
Lake Tarpon Watershed Lake Tarpon is the largest lake in Pinellas County with a surface area of four square miles. Its watershed encompasses fifty-two square miles including the two largest tributaries, Cow Branch (South Creek) and Brooker Creek. The lake is a valuable regional recreational destination and is renowned for its largemouth bass fishing. Historically, Lake Tarpon was considered to have excellent water quality. A large algae bloom erupted in 1987, covering 80% of the lake's surface. Public concern prompted the formation of the Lake Tarpon Management Committee to coordinate efforts to study the lake's problems. Several studies were initiated culminating in the adoption of the Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management Plan by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners in 1999. SWFWMD also designated Lake Tarpon a SWIM priority water body. An update to the Drainage Basin Management Plan was completed in 2005. A comprehensive web page on the Lake Tarpon watershed, including current projects, can be found here.
Cross Bayou Canal Watershed The Cross Bayou Canal watershed is located in central Pinellas County and encompasses approximately 7,697 acres. The 10.5-mile long Cross Bayou Canal bisects the watershed and connects to both Old Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay on its northeastern and southwestern ends, respectively. Canal water can flow in either direction depending upon tidal conditions, but normally water from the north and south halves do not mix.
A diagnostic feasibility study and the development of a watershed management plan for the Cross Bayou watershed began in August 2003. The study should be complete early in 2006. The management plan will be used as a tool in the planning, regulation, and management of Cross Bayou for future development and as a basis for determining and prioritizing capital improvements. This objective will be met in part by conducting an analysis of the watershed to characterize the existing conditions and recommend improvements for flood protection, natural systems, habitat, water quality, erosion control, public awareness and involvement, and regulatory control. To help with public awareness and involvement, a website has been developed for posting public announcements, meeting minutes, and providing access to project information. The site is updated monthly. The Cross Bayou Watershed Management Plan website is at http://www.crossbayouwmp.com/.
Since 1991, water quality samples have been collected at three fixed sites on Cross Bayou Canal as part of the County's monthly water quality monitoring program. Cross Bayou Canal has poor water quality relative to other water bodies in Pinellas County. A significant number of the monthly surface water quality samples collected from the canal have exceeded state water quality standards and reference water quality values developed for the State by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. During 2000, County staff conducted a number of activities to characterize the basin in preparation for the anticipated diagnostic study in 2003. Water quality samples were collected and staff also noted the location of stormwater outfall pipes. Furthermore, publicly owned lands located adjacent to the canal were identified as potential habitat restoration sites or stormwater treatment facilities. Finally, annual estimates of stormwater pollutant loads into the canal were calculated for each sub-basin. Pinellas County Environmental Management has organized several Cross Bayou Clean-Up events in conjunction with Keep Pinellas Beautiful. The Clean-Up efforts took place in either the spring and/or fall of most years between 2000 and 2005. Volunteers with canoes, kayaks, and small boats removed trash and debris from the waterway and surrounding wetlands. The efforts have been very successful. During the first event in the fall of 2000, thirty participants collected over 1.6 tons of trash. The most recent event in the spring of 2005 resulted in 41 participants collecting over 2.15 tons. Check the Cross Bayou Watershed Management Plan website http://www.crossbayouwmp.com/ for photographs and any updates. Ultimately, the implementation of a Watershed Management Plan will serve to increase functional habitat in the Tampa Bay watershed and will reduce pollutant loads to Old Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay. Habitat enhancement, water quality improvement, and pollutant loading reductions to Tampa Bay are in accord with the goals in SWFWMD's SWIM Plan for Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay (National) Estuary Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). For more information call Robert McWilliams at: (727) 464-4425.

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WATERSHED PLANNING

Lake Seminole Watershed

Lake Tarpon Watershed

Cross Bayou Canal Watershed