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OFR-02-59
U.S. Department of the Interior
The Road to Flamingo: an Evaluation of Flow Pattern Alterations and Salinity Intrusion in the Lower Glades, Everglades National Parkby M.A. Stewart1, T.N. Bhatt1, R.J. Fennema1, and D.V. Fitterman2 1Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida
IntroductionThe main road in Everglades National Park (ENP) connects Flamingo with the Park's entrance and continues onto the coastal ridge of Dade County (Fig. 1). The current alignment of the road, an extension of State Road 9336, formerly known as State Road 27, was built in 1956 when a portion of what was then known as Ingraham Highway was replaced with a more northward section. The road has been the subject of some controversy. Some scientists have claimed that the roadbed is a barrier to natural flow to Florida Bay, while others have blocked culverts to hold fresh water back in the wetlands east of the road and north of Florida Bay. The South Florida Natural Resources Center is conducting a study to assess the current condition of the culverts and to determine the patterns of water flow in the area adjacent to the road. Information has been gathered on the road's history, the historical water levels and flow patterns. Monitoring sites have been installed to record water level, salinity and flow, which are being measured during times when water is present. In addition to the Park project, a complementary project has been undertaken by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS has been conducting investigations in the southern Everglades to assess the extent of saline-water intrusion by means of airborne electromagnetic geophysical measurements. This report condenses the information gathered to date. Go ahead to Ingraham Highway and Homestead Canal
Related information: SOFIA Project: Geophysical Studies of the Southwest Florida Coast |
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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Last updated: 14 December, 2004 @ 11:30 AM (KP)