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

H024
Upper Peace River Resource Development
Project Type WS&R Dev.
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Alafia River, Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager TURNER, DAWN
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
MORRIS, LISANN, HERD, KEN
Description
This project involves the identification and evaluation of potential water resource development projects in the upper
Peace River watershed above Zolfo Springs. The vehicle to accomplish this is the District's Watershed Management
Program (WMP). The project includes performing the 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation, and 3)
Watershed Management Plan elements of the WMP. Work on the Topographic Information, Watershed Evaluation,
and Watershed Management Plan tasks for the area contributing flow to the river between the confluence with the
Peace Creek Canal and the Highway 640 bridge crossing in Homeland are nearing completion. FY2007 funds are
being used to perform Watershed Evaluation tasks for the area contributing flow to the river between the Highway 640
bridge crossing in Homeland and Zolfo Springs. These tasks include the collection of hydrologic and hydraulic
information for both the existing condition and the committed future condition reflected in approved reclamation plans.
FY2008 funds were used to evaluate a potential surface water storage area adjacent to the river. FY2009 and FY2010
funds will be used to further evaluate potential surface water storage facilities, and perform Topographic Information,
Watershed Evaluation, and Watershed Management Plan tasks. Future funding will be needed to complete the
Topographic Information, Watershed Evaluation, and Watershed Management Plan tasks for the area between
Homeland and Zolfo Springs. Preferred Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be further developed through the
Implementation of BMPs process under separate activity codes, and will require additional funding.
Benefits
The water resource development projects that are ultimately selected for implementation will enhance low flows, water
quality, and natural systems within the upper Peace River.
Costs
The anticipated project cost is $3,150,000. For FY2010, $250,000 of project funding is appropriated in the following
Basin budgets: Governing Board ($125,000), Peace River Basin ($62,500), Alafia River Basin ($31,250), and the
Manasota Basin ($31,250). FY2010 funds will be used to complete Topographic Information, Watershed Evaluation,
and Watershed Management Plan tasks. For FY2009, $250,000 is appropriated in the following budgets: Governing
Board ($125,000), Peace River Basin ($62,500), Alafia River Basin ($31,250), and the Manasota Basin ($31,250).
$41,142 of the FY2009 funds will be used to obtain LiDAR for an area within the river floodplain that was inundated
when the original LiDAR data was obtained. The remaining FY2009 funds are being used for the technical evaluation
of suitable water storage areas adjacent to the Peace River, and to optimize design opportunities for MFL recovery.
For FY2008, $250,000 was appropriated in the following budgets: Governing Board ($125,000), Peace River Basin
($62,500), Alafia River Basin ($31,250), and the Manasota Basin ($31,250). $200,000 was used for an evaluation of a
potential surface water storage area. The remaining $50,000 of FY2008 funds was liquidated. For FY2007, $250,000
was appropriated in the following budgets: Governing Board ($125,000), Peace River Basin ($62,500), Alafia River
Basin ($31,250), and the Manasota Basin ($31,250). In FY2007, $250,000 in revenue will be received from state
appropriations and distributed as follows: Governing Board ($125,000), Peace River Basin ($62,500), Alafia River
Basin ($31,250), and the Manasota Basin ($31,250). When each element is completed the project budget and scope
may require refinement based upon the information gathered. The District funding amounts shown in the table include
staff salaries.
Additional Information
The WMP includes five major elements: 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation, 3) Watershed
Management Plan, 4) Implementation of Best Management Practices, and 5) Maintenance of Watershed Parameters
and Models. Implementing elements of the WMP with local governments is one of the Comprehensive Watershed
Management (CWM) initiative strategies and one of the District's Strategic Priorities. In 2002, the District completed
the technical work necessary for establishing minimum flows in the upper Peace River, and the first draft of the Peace
River Cumulative Impacts Analysis Report. The Upper Peace River Watershed has been heavily impacted by mining,
development activities, and groundwater withdrawals. Proposed minimum "low" flows are currently not being met at
the Bartow and Ft. Meade gage sites. The District has developed the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA)
Recovery Strategy that proposes concepts for development of water resource projects. Two of the concepts are
storage of wet season rainfall in surface water reservoirs for later release during periods of low or no flow; and the
hydraulic optimization of areas impacted by mining, including the reconnection of closed basin areas. Two projects,
020 - Peace River Basin 190