Watershed Management: Watershed Planning

Long Branch Creek Watershed

 

The Long Branch Creek Basin is part of the Old Tampa Bay Watershed and it covers an area of approximately 2.8 square miles or 1,800 acres.  It is located in a highly urbanized area in central Pinellas County and it is mostly within the City of Largo limits. It is generally located with Allen’s Creek to the north, Cross Bayou to the South, the Starkey Road basin to the west, and Upper Tampa Bay to the east.

 

Near the headwaters of the stream is Swan Lake, a small lake surrounded by residential homes. The outlet of this lake is one of the main sources of water contributing flow in the stream. The main channel is about 3.3 miles in length and flows to the northeast into Old Tampa Bay. The freshwater stream reach is approximately 2.5 miles in length and flows into the tidal segment of the basin.

 

Project Update:

 

• Pinellas County, the City of Largo and Southwest Florida Water Management District partnered in 2010 to fund a Long Branch Creek Water Quality Study.  The study included a hydrologic/hydraulic evaluation, nutrient source evaluation and proposed Best Management Practices (BMP) recommendations.  Links to the reports are below.

 

• Best Managements Practices Recommendations Report 09/2012

 

• Nutrient Source Evaluation and Assessment Final Report 09/2012

 

• The County has partnered with the City of Largo to determine sources of bacterial pollution to the creek. A Bacterial Pollution Control Plan is expected to be complete by 2017.
  

 

 

 

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