Project: Methodology for Estimation of Nutrient Loads to East Coast Canals and Water-Quality Trends at Selected Sites in Southern Florida

Web Site: http://sofia.usgs.gov/projects/methodology

Location: Central Everglades, Southeast Coast / Big Cypress

Principal Investigator: Arthur C. Lietz, alietz@usgs.gov, 305.717.5838

Project Personnel: None

Other Supporting Organizations: None

Associated Projects: Groundwater Discharge to Biscayne Bay

Overview & Status: Project completed on Sept.30, 1999. A vital component in ecosystem restoration is the understanding of prerestoration water quality. The health of Biscayne Bay has been threatened by nutrient-laden discharges from the east coast canal system resulting from urbanization and agricultural activities. Extensive changes to the current water management system in order to restore natural historic hydropatterns to the Everglades potentially may affect the Biscayne Bay ecosystem. This study was developed in order to provide a method of estimating nutrient loads from east coast canals to the Bay and to provide an understanding of nutrient distribution and concentration in the east coast canal system. Models for estimation of nutrient loads were developed using the techniques of linear regression analysis. In order to understand current and historical water-quality in southern Florida, long-term trends from two surface water sites potentially affected by restoration efforts, Miami Canal at S-26 and Tamiami Canal - Forty Mile Bend to Monroe, were investigated.

Needs & Products: Report entitled. "Methodology for Estimation of Nutrient Loads Discharged from East Coast Canals to Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County, Florida" published in September 1999. Report entitled "Analysis of Water-Quality Trends at Two Discharge Stations in the Vicinity of Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne Bay, Southern Florida, 1966-94" published in November 2000.

Application to Everglades Restoration: Study resulted in the development of models for estimation of nutrient loads to Biscayne Bay from the east coast canal system and documented nutrient distribution and concentration in the canals. Also, statistically significant upward and downward trends were identified at the Tamiami Canal-Forty Mile Bend to Monroe and Miami Canal at S-26. These results will provide information for water resource managers and planners with a better understanding of current water-quality conditions prior to the initiation of restoration efforts and also an understanding of the interdependence of the Biscayne Bay and Everglades ecosystems.