MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

B092
USGS-Flatford Swamp Surface Water Monitoring Program
Project Type Basin Initiatives
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) General Fund (District), Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager MORRIS, LISANN
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
Since this project began, six continuous recording discharge gages and a water level gage within the Flatford Swamp
were constructed and maintained by the USGS. Data has been collected since 1999. This data is used to monitor the
health of the Swamp and also to gauge the progress of the Falkner Farms and Pacific Tomato Growers projects to
replace groundwater with surface water. In addition to monitoring the success of the two constructed projects, data will
be used to monitor new projects being developed as part of the District's Facilitating Agricultural Resource
Management Systems (FARMS) program. Through the development of cooperative projects, these projects can assist
in returning a natural hydroperiod in the swamp. This data was used in the development of the Upper Myakka water
budget computer model for the Myakka River Watershed Initiative.
Benefits
This project provides basic surface water stage, discharge and/or water quality data collection to support assessing
flooding events, developing surface water management plans, facilitating habitat restoration projects, establishment
and monitoring of minimum flows and levels (MFLs), establishment of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), land
acquisition and management, and other critical water management activities.
Costs
The estimate for the FY2010 budget for surface water stage, discharge, and/or water quality measurements at the
seven sites in the Manasota Basin has stayed the same as last year's estimate of $158,100. These sites are: Maple
Creek near Myakka City (02298495), Myakka River near Myakka City (02298554), Coker Creek near Myakka City
(02298530), Myakka River Upstream Youngs Creek (02298488), Flatford Swamp near Myakka River (02298494),
Ogleby Creek Downstream Boggy Creek near Myakka City, FL (02298527), and Long Creek near Myakka City
(02298492).
Additional Information
The District funded a study on the tree die-off in Flatford Swamp in FY1997. The results of this study were presented
in a public workshop in Palmetto in October 1997, and a draft final report was produced in December 1997. The
original study determined that tree die-off on Flatford Swamp was associated with increased water levels and/or
extended hydroperiods. Affected areas extended below the swamp down to the Crowley Nature Center and possibly
the Myakka River State Park. For FY2007, data collected from water quality sensors (conductance probes) at each
site was included to provide more accurate information to reflect the variably of agricultural irrigation practices.
Prior
Funding
Cumulative FY 2009 FY2010
Transfers Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Ad Valorem Based
Revenue
010 General Fund (Districtwide) 0 6,600 0 160,820
0 167,420
021 Manasota Basin 797,991 0 160,805
0 162,000 1,120,796
Project Funds Not Budgeted by the
District
USGS 207,000 0 0
0
0 207,000
Total:
Future
Funding
Total
Funding
$1,495,216
Critical Project Milestones Projected Amended Actual
021 - Manasota Basin 124