Water Flows and Nutrient Fluxes to the Southwest Coast of Everglades National Park, Florida
Project Proposal for 1999
Project number: 61400
USGS Geologic Division
Continuing Project Work Plan -- FY 1999
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Project title:
Water and nutrient flows to the southwest coast
of Everglades National Park, Florida
Geographic area: Southwest coastal estuaries of Everglades National
Park (Broad, Haney, and Shark Rivers)
Project start date: October 1995
Project end date: September 2002
Project chief:
Victor A. Levesque
Region/Division/Team/Section: SE/WRD/SWFL
Email: levesque@usgs.gov
Phone: 813-884-9336 extension 167
Fax: 813-889-9811
Mail address: U.S. Geological Survey, 4710 Eisenhower
Blvd., B-5
Tampa, FL 33634
Program: South Florida Ecosystem Initiative
Program element: 4. Ecological and Geological Studies of southwest
florida
Program task: 4.2 Water and nutrient flows to the southwest
coast of Everglades National Park, Florida. This task quantifies the volume
of water and nutrient concentrations being discharged from three estuarine
rivers located along the southwest coast of Everglades National Park, Florida.
BACKGROUND NARRATIVES
Project summary:
This study will quantify water discharge and nutrient
fluxes of three estuarine rivers of southwest Everglades National Park.
The estuary of southwest Everglades National Park (ENP) is a unique and
diverse part of the south Florida ecosystem. The estuarine ecosystem provides
and maintains habitat for an abundance of marine and terrestrial animals
and plants. Three estuarine-river sites were selected by the criteria that
a large amount of the water that flows through Shark River Slough, sometimes
referred to as the 'Heart of the Everglades', must pass through these sites.
The discharge stations were installed at the selected sites from October
to December 1996. Discharge data collection at the stations began in January
1997, and water quality data collection began in February 1997. The results
of the study will provide information on trends, effects of weather systems,
and a part of the overall interpretation of how Everglades restoration
affects the estuarine ecosystem. Data from the study is planned to be used
for input to a circulation model. The results of the study will provide
information that can be useful in understanding and preserving the estuarine
ecosystem.
Project objectives and strategy:
The objectives of the study are to provide data
and interpretations about water flow and nutrient fluxes from the Broad,
Harney, and Shark Rivers. The study will provide information on the hydraulics
of the three rivers and the determination of relations between up-gradient
hydrologic conditions and the estuarine hydrologic conditions.
Three tidally-affected river stations were selected
because the locations are estimated to receive the largest amount of water
from the Shark River Slough drainage basin. The stations in the estuarine
area were selected based on published literature and aerial photographs.
The stations have been installed with sensors that measure water velocity,
water level, near-surface and bottom water temperature, and specific conductance.
Water samples are collected at the three stations, and the samples are
analyzed for total and dissolved nitrogen concentrations, and total and
dissolved phosphorus concentrations.
Upward looking acoustic Doppler profile sensors
collect continuous-river-velocity data, vented-pressure-transducers collect
continuous-water-level data, and four-electrode-conductance sensors collect
continuous-temperature and specific conductance data. Monthly station visits
include collection of water-quality samples, measurement of river discharge,
and maintenance and calibration of station sensors.
The acoustic-discharge measurements and the continuous sensor data
are used to develop velocity-stage-discharge relations for each river.
The velocity-stage-discharge relations are then used to compute continuous-river-discharge
data for each river. Nutrient fluxes are computed from the river-discharge
data and the water-quality data. Residual discharge and nutrient flux data
are estimated by applying a low-pass digital filter to the instantaneous
data. Analytical and statistical methods are used to correlate meteorological
data, up-gradient water-levels, discharge, and water-quality data with
filtered estuarine-river discharges and nutrient fluxes.
Data collected for this study are maintained by
personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey Tampa, FL. The data are stored
and analyzed in the USGS Automated Data Processing System (ADAPS). Documentation
associated with data maintenance and supplemental data are stored at the
USGS office in Tampa, FL. The data are available on a conditional basis
during the study and will be available as final after receiving USGS District
approval. A report will be published in FY 1999 that will summarize the
interpretations from this study.
Potential impacts and major products:
This study will provide data and interpretation about instantaneous
and residual water flow and nutrient fluxes from the Broad, Haney, and
Shark Rivers. The quantification of the estuaryĆs water flow and nutrient
fluxes is basic information needed by scientists and resource managers.
Scientists and resource managers also need to understand how the up-gradient
land, water, and habitat management practices are affecting this part of
the ecosystem, because the vitality of the marine ecosystem is also dependent
on the quantity and quality of water it receives from the Shark River Slough.
Monitoring the estuarine ecosystem is necessary to accurately assess the
effects of Everglades flow distribution and hydroperiod modifications and
to understand the effects of routine resource operations. The data from
this study also will be used in understanding the hydraulics and habitat
dynamics of the estuarine ecosystem. The results of this study will be
published in a U.S. Geological Survey publication.
Collaborators, clients:
Cooperation and coordination with ENP personnel are needed for acquiring
up-gradient water level, water quality, and rainfall data. Renewal of data-collection
permits from ENP personnel are required every year. Cooperation with ENP
personnel also is required for the use of ENP facilities in Flamingo. Other
data required for this study will be provided by USGS personnel located
in ENP, Miami, and Ft. Myers.
Organization and contacts |
Duties and interests |
Everglades National Park (ENP) |
|
Dewitt Smith |
Scientific studies in the estuarine areas of ENP.
Discharge data and nutrient flux data not available in this
area since 1960s. |
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) |
|
David Rudnick |
Estuarine water quality studies.
Study results will assist the District in understanding the effects of Everglades restoration. |
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) |
|
Allette Karavitis |
Data base management.
Setup and maintenance of updates to the Internet site. |
Eduardo Patino |
Hydrologist, study of flows to Florida Bay.
Synthesis of flow study data. |
Gordon Anderson |
Hydrologist, study of estuarine habitat and pore water dynamics.
Hydraulics and nutrient flux. |
Thomas Smith |
Biologist, study of estuarine habitat dynamics.
Hydraulics and nutrient flux. |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |
|
Thomas Lee |
Oceanographer, near shore and long shore current studies.
Hydraulics and nutrient flux. |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) |
|
Mark Dortch |
Hydrologist, model development.
Hydraulics and nutrient flux. |
University of Southwest Louisiana (USWL) |
|
Robert Twilley |
Biologists, study of estuarine habitat dynamics. |
Victor Rivera |
Hydraulics and nutrient flux. |
WORK PLAN
Time line (FY 1999 to project end):
FY1999
1. Complete draft report summarizing methods and results and submit
report for colleague review. (Levesque)
2. Complete revisions to report. (Levesque)
3. Submit revised report for approval. (Levesque)
4. Complete final version of report. (Levesque)
5. Publish report summarizing methods and results.
6. Continue monitoring at existing stations. (Boetcher)
7. Install monitoring stations in headwaters of Tarpon Bay and Whitewater
Bay. (Boetcher)
FY2000
1. Continue monthly station visits. (Levesque)
2. Process and analyze data. (Levesque)
FY200l
1. Continue monthly station visits. (Levesque)
2. Process and analyze data. (Levesque)
3. Develop velocity-stage-discharge relations for new stations. (Levesque)
4. Begin writing report on flow and nutrient data for ENP. (Levesque
and Patino)
FY2002
1. Remove stations from Everglades National Park. (Boetcher)
2. Finish writing report on flow and nutrient data for ENP. (Levesque
and Patino)
3. Publish report on flow and nutrient data for ENP.
FY 1999 activities:
The majority of work undertaken in FY1999 is related
to completing and publishing a report as described in the Time line. The
report will detail the methods used and the results from the study. Two
or three additional stations will be installed at rivers in the headwaters
of Tarpon Bay and Whitewater Bay.
FY 1999 deliverables/products:
Data from the study will continue to be available
to scientists-and managers for research and planning purposes. A USGS report
will be published that summarizes the study methods and results.
FY 1999 outreach:
Hydrologic data collected from this study have been
made available at a USGS web site (gissfltlh.er.usgs.gov/local/exchange/levesque).
The web site has been set up and is currently maintained by USGS personnel
in Ft. Myers and Tallahassee, FL. A continuing collaboration with Everglades
National Park personnel provides an additional pathway for the distribution
of the data and results for this study. Collaboration will continue with
scientists from other USGS offices, University of Southwest Louisiana,
the US Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA. A presentation is planned for
interested scientists and managers at Everglades National Park near the
end of FY1999.
New directions or major changes for FY 1999:
Data collected for a long period are more desirable
than data collected for a short period, because climatic patterns may be
anomalous during the monitored period and may significantly bias the results
of a short-period study. The continuation of the existing stations can
be used to observe how restoration affects the deliveries and quality of
water reaching the estuaries of the southwest coast of Everglades National
Park.
Two or three more discharge stations are proposed
to be added to the current network of three stations. One or two discharge
stations are proposed to be in the headwaters of Tarpon Bay and one additional
discharge station added in Whitewater Bay. The new stations would be installed
and operated similar to the existing stations. The discharge stations added
in the headwaters of Tarpon Bay would be evaluated as discharge and water
quality index stations for the three existing stations. If the headwater
stations can be used as discharge indexes for the Broad, Harney, and Shark
River stations, it may be possible to discontinue one or more stations
on the Broad, Haney, or Shark Rivers after an evaluation period. The addition
of a station in a major tributary of Whitewater Bay would be used to quantify
flows and nutrient fluxes from the Shark River Slough that are not measured
by the existing stations.
The continuation of the three existing stations
and addition of 2 or 3 more stations is encouraged and would be a significant
benefit for the Everglades National Park (ENP) monitoring program, the
U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystem Initiative, and other scientific agencies.
The data and interpretations provided by this study will continue to enhance
the understanding and knowledge about the southwest coast of ENP.
At this time, there are no other studies of water discharge and nutrient
fluxes being conducted in this area of ENP. The southwest coast of ENP
represents a large gap in hydrologic data, and presents a significant logistical
challenge due to the remoteness of the area. The USGS has succeeded in
gaging three of the main outflows on the southwest coast that receive water
from the Shark River Slough drainage area. The continuation and expansion
of this study is needed to assess the short- and long-term trends, effects
of unusual weather patterns and storm events, and the effects Everglades
restorations have on the estuarine ecosystem.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, OUTCOMES, PRODUCTS, OUTREACH
FY 1998 accomplishments and outcomes, including outreach:
1. Monthly station visits continued to maintain stations.
2. Velocity-stage-discharge relations were finalized.
3. Data processing and data analysis continued.
4. Synopsis report of work completed to date submitted for approval.
5. Report writing continued.
FY 1998 deliverables, products completed:
1. Continuous sensor data made available to the public.
2. Continuous discharge data computed and made available to the public.
3. Work plan for FY1999 submitted for approval.
4. Summary of results provided to Everglades National Park personnel.
PROJECT SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS
Names and expertise of key project staff:
FY96, FY97, FY98, FY99, FY2000, FY2001, FY2002
Victor Levesque (Hydrologist, estuarine hydraulics) |
Kathi Hammett (Surface Water Specialist) |
Paul Boetcher (Hydrologic Technician) |
Yvonne Stoker (Water Quality Specialist) |
Other required expertise for which no individual has been identified:
FY99, FY2002
Publication review. Report layout and printing.
Major equipment/facility needs:
FY96, FY97, FY98, FY98, FY99, FY2000, FY2001, FY2002
Research vessel. Various electronic equipment.
ENP research houseboat and marine facilities.
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