![]() |
projects > western tamiami trail flows - baseline information and response to cerp > work plan
Project Work PlanDepartment of Interior USGS GE PES and ENP CESIFiscal Year 2008 Study Work PlanStudy Title: Western Tamiami Trail Flows - Baseline Information and Response to CERP Overview & Objective(s): The coastal environment of south Florida has shown signs of ecological deterioration that is attributed to changes in freshwater inflows due to urban development, water management practices, and corresponding increases of salinity and nutrient content in estuarine waters. With plans to improve water levels and historic flow-ways in the Southern Golden Gate Estates (Picayune Strand) area north of Tamiami Trail to more natural conditions, changes are expected in the amount, timing, and distribution of freshwater discharge through bridges and culverts under US-41, altering current conditions in the wetlands and estuaries to the south. Hydrologic information throughout the Ten Thousand Islands and adjacent ecosystems is critical to the development of restoration strategies and for the evaluation of restoration results. With the implementation of the CERP projects "Picayune Strand Hydrologic Restoration project" and "Tamiami Trail (US-41) Culvert project", there is a need to determine current hydrologic conditions in areas south of US-41. These areas will be greatly impacted by these CERP projects currently underway. There is a critical need for information on freshwater flows across the Trail, ground-water information (including Specific Conductance/salinity) within the marshes south of the Trail, flows at or near the mouth of tributaries, water level, and salinity data throughout the area. The results of this study will provide information that currently does not exist on freshwater flows and salinity trends, effects of weather systems on flow patterns, and on how SGGE and Tamiami Trail Culverts restoration projects affect freshwater inflows and water quality of the estuarine ecosystem within the Ten Thousand Islands area. The objectives of this study are:
Additionally, other federal and state agencies, universities, and local institutions conducting research in the area will be give access to all the information generated though this study. Specific Relevance to Major Unanswered Questions and Information Needs Indentified: This effort is linked to projects listed in the DOI Science Document and to issues listed in the USGS Science Plan in Support of Everglades Restoration (Restoration goals) Related projects listed in DOI Science Document:
USGS Restoration Goals:
Status: This project will supply critical hydrologic information related to CERP and other research efforts within the Picayune Strand and the Ten Thousand Islands areas. Discharge will be made available for all bridges and culverts across Tamiami Trail from State Road 29 to County Road 92. Recent & Planned Products:
WORK PLAN Title of Task 1: Western Tamiami Trail Flows - Baseline Information and Response to CERP. Task Summary and Objectives: This task is designed to quantify freshwater discharge across Tamiami Trail, and provide necessary boundary information for the development and calibration of hydrologic models for the areas to the north and south of Tamiami Trail. The data can be used to calibrate the MIKESHE sub-regional model currently being constructed over the study area, and any other model developed for the wetlands and estuaries within the Ten Thousand Islands area to the south of Tamiami Trail. The objectives of this study are (1) To develop flow calculation techniques for bridges and culverts under US-41, between Carnestown and County Road 92. First year focusing on the section between Faka-Union Canal and County Road 92, expanding east to State Road 29 in the second year of the study; and (2) To provide support to on-going CERP and DOI studies populating hydrologic databases that can also be used by other federal and state agencies, universities, and local institutions conducting studies in the area. Work to be undertaken during the proposal year and a description of the methods and procedures: A total of SEVEN flow stations were installed at bridges east and west of Faka-Union canal, for the collection of stage, velocity, discharge, salinity (or Specific Conductance), and temperature data. Discharge measurements with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) or comparable instrument will be made at these and all other bridges (or culverts) along the Tamiami Trail, between State road 29 (Carnestown) and County Road 92. FY-08
Specific Task Product(s):
|
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
This page is: http://sofia.usgs.gov/projects/workplans08/westTT_flows.html
Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster
Last updated: 20 August, 2008 @ 04:37 PM(KP)