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

W798
Winter Haven Downtown Watershed Improvement Plan
Project Type SWIM
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Winter Haven
Project Manager THORNTON, SHELLEY
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
SZAFRANIEC, MARY
Description
This project is in response to a FY2010 cooperative funding request from the City of Winter Haven and Polk County.
The project will incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) into
the City's lakes management goals thereby improving the water quality of runoff entering surface water and the
surficial aquifer. The project will result in improved stormwater treatment over traditional design methods through the
installation or creation of rain gardens, improved swales, small isolated wetlands and other passive treatment methods
within the downtown area of the City of Winter Haven and the outlying neighborhoods. The project will prioritize those
areas based upon cost, water quality/environmental benefit, permitability, and practicality for construction. Finally,
selected areas will then be brought forward for the design, permitting and construction of BMP's, following concepts of
LID, in an effort to reduce nutrient concentrations in the Chains of Lakes.
Benefits
Most of downtown Winter Haven is located within the Northern and Southern Chain of Lakes watersheds, which are
Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) priority waterbodies. The Chains of Lakes are composed of 24
interconnected lakes within and around the City of Winter Haven in north central Polk County. Hydrologic changes to
the lakes and the high degree of urbanization have increased nutrient loading to the lakes and degraded water quality.
The SWIM Plan for the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes focuses on implementing stormwater enhancement projects to
improve water quality. The objectives of this project are consistent with this goal.
Costs
The total project budget is $125,000, with the City of Winter Haven and the District each contributing half $62,500.
District funds shown in the table include staff salaries.
Additional Information
The proposed project is part of a larger effort funded by Winter Haven called the Sustainable Water Resources
Management Plan (SWRMP). The objective of this plan is to preserve and protect the surface and ground water
resources of Winter Haven for human and environmental use. The backbone of the plan is an interconnected,
hydrologic network of lakes, canals, wetlands, aquifers, open spaces, and parks designed to meet the long-term water
resource needs of the community. The Winter Haven Downtown Watershed Improvement Plan focuses on the
development of a specific plan for LID/BMP improvements, the resulting potential project list within the downtown and
neighborhood areas of the city, and the design, permitting and construction of those identified projects. The overall
SWRMP will be closely coordinated with the District's Watershed Management Plan to meet the objectives of both
plans. Other Items that might be included 1) Public Outreach Program to encourage homeowner use of rain gardens
or other LID practices 2) Highlight the creation of natural systems in small isolated wetlands as a wildlife benefit 3)
Potential for addressing local flooding issues 4) Mitigation banking opportunities within Winter Haven 5) Productive
use of reclaimed water as applied to this project.
020 - Peace River Basin 75