Environmental Protection
Surface Water
Surface Water | Watershed Monitoring Program | Biven's Arm Quality
How healthy are our surface water ecosystems?
Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) has been monitoring water quality in selected streams and lakes throughout Alachua County since the 1970's. The current program includes quarterly sampling of over 30 sites for nutrients, fecal coliform bacteria, inorganic indicators, and flow.
Elevated nutrients are one of the main threats to the surface waters in our urban areas, and are likely from fertilizers running off of lawns and effluent from septic systems.
High levels of fecal coliform bacteria are another concern in the urban creeks. Fecal coliform are bacteria that originate in the digestive track of warm blooded animals and are an indicator of fecal pollution. Likely sources of fecal coliform include septic systems, sanitary sewer overflows, pet wastes, illicit discharges, and wildlife. You can read more about our sampling results in our reports section.
ACEPD is currently involved with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection�s (FDEP) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation for the Orange Creek Basin (OCB). There are nutrient TMDLs for Newnans Lake, Orange Lake, Lake Wauberg, and Alachua Sink on Paynes Prairie. There are Fecal Coliform TMDLs for Hogtown and Tumblin Creeks and Sweetwater Branch. The stakeholders within the basin are developing a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) to address these water quality concerns. More information on TMDLs and the BMAP can be found here.
Learn how you can minimize your impacts on our waters!
Aquatic Plants
Many of the county's surface waters are under threat by exotic and invasive aquatic plant species such as Hydrilla, Water Lettuce, Hyacinth and Wild Taro. However, ACEPD is currently involved in weed control efforts on Bivens Arm Lake to protect native aquatic habitat.
Another way to fight back against exotics is to plant native species. ACEPD has partnered with Current Problems Inc and IFAS in conducting hands-on workshops where native aquatic plants were used to vegetate stormwater ponds, eroding spring runs, and river banks. It is important to leave a buffer of native vegetation along all waterways because vegetation can filter out polutants such as nutrients and sediments, provide habitat, and reduce flooding.
Learn more about how you can become involved through the Restore A Shore or Plant A Pond program.
Want to volunteer to pick bugs? Contact Linda Krause at 352-264-6826
Biological Monitoring
A water quality sample provides only a "snapshot" in time, while assessing the in-stream biota provides information on the long term health of the aquatic ecosystem. To complement our water quality monitoring program in determining the health of our waterways, ACEPD funds biological monitoring of aquatic insect larvae, adult beetles, water striders, worms, and other species (collectively called macroinvertebrates). Stream bioassessments are conducted using the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rapid Bioassessment (BioRecon) techniques. The Biorecons include assessment of in-stream habitat (quantity and quality), basic water quality, water flow rate, and evaluation of the bank stability, erosion, and riparian zones. Additional biological monitoring will be conducted in 2008, but if you want to see our past results check out our data report from 2000-2003.
Surface Water Recreation
Ibises at the Santa Fe River Boat Ramp in High Springs
There are a number of recreational sites on Alachua County waterbodies, many with excellent boating and fishing opportunities. The county has boat access to Lake Santa Fe, Lake Alto, Newnans Lake (Powers Park and Owens-Illinois Park), Lochloosa and Orange Lakes, and the Santa Fe River (High Springs Boat Ramp and Poe Springs Park). There is a park on Watermelon Pond in western Alachua County, but due to dry conditions the water is not accessible.
The Florida department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has parks with water access on the south side of Lake Wauberg (Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) and on the Santa Fe River (O'Leno and River Rise Preserve). To find other state parks and preserves in our area go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/. St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) also has public access on Lake Lochloosa.
Some of our waters, particularly those in the northern portion of Alachua County have been found to have fish with elevated mercury. These waters include the upper Santa Fe River. More information on mercury and guidelines for fish consumption are available from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health.
