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e vr NW,qA -D- Ecolo"- A nage- rmnt 351wikation "Ma or Twnpa fty Tidal Crft*s "n i 4M QH 541. 15 - tompo bay S95 eggional E25 pkmning i986 council p p TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL 1986 Chairman Commissioner Westwood H. Fletcher, Jr. Vice Chairman Councilman William D. Vannatta Secretary/Treasurer Mayor Robert G. Prior CITY OF BRADENTON PASCO COUNTY Councilwoman Saundra Rahn Mr. Don Porter Commissioner Sylvia Young CITY OF CLEARWATER Commissioner James L. Berfield PINELLAS COUNTY Mr. Conrad Banspach, Jr. CITY OF DADE CITY Ms. Elizabeth B. Frierson Commissioner Charles A. McIntosh, Jr. Commissioner George Greer Mr. David H. Knowlton CITY OF DUNEDIN Reverend Preston Leonard Vice-Mayor Donald Shaffer CITY OF PINELLAS PARK CITY OF GULFPORT Councilman William D. Vannatta Councilmember Joanne F. Killeen CITY OF SAFETY HARBOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY Mayor Alton Dettmer Mr. Alexander S. Byrne Mr. Joe McFarland, Jr. CITY OF SARASOTA Mr. Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Commissioner Rita Roehr Mr. James Stewart Commissioner Pickens C. Talley CITY OF SEMINOLE Mayor Holland G. Mangum CITY OF LARGO Mayor George C. McGough CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG Councilman Robert B. Stewart MANATEE COUNTY Commissioner Westwood H. Fletcher, Jr. CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG BEACH Commissioner Patricia M. Glass Commissioner Bruno Falkenstein CITY OF NEW PORT RICHEY CITY OF TAMPA Mayor Robert G. Prior Councilman Thomas W. Vann CITY OF OLDSMAR CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS Mayor Grace F. Williams Commissioner Anthony C. Samarkos CITY OF PALMETTO CITY OF TEMPLE TERRACE Mayor W.D. Bell Councilman James D. Whittemore Executive Director Julia E. Greene Ecological Assessment, Classification and Management of Tampa Bay Tidal Creeks September 18, 1986 Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 9455 Koger Boulevard St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 Financial assistance for this study was provided by a Coastal Zone Management Grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation US Department of Commerce NOAA Coastal Services Center Library 2234 South Hobson Avenue Charleston, SC 29405-2413 TABLE OF CONTENTS PagO TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES v LIST OF APPENDICES vi INTRODUCTION 1 1. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MINOR TRIBUTARIES 3 1.1 The Importance of Minor Tributaries 3 1.2 Curlew Creek and Jerry Branch 13 1.3 Stevenson Creek 16 1.4 McKay Creek and Church Creek 16 1.5 Joe's Creek and St. Joe's Creek 19 1.6 Bear Creek 21 1.7 Salt Creek 21 1.8 Booker Creek 21 1.9 Tinney Creek 21 1.10 Grassy Creek 26 1.11 Long Branch Creek 26 1.12 Allen Creek 29 1.13 Alligator Creek 29 1.14 Mullet Creek 29 1.15 Bishop Creek 33 1.16 Moccasin Creek 33 1.17 Double Branch Creek 33 1.18 Channel A 36 1.19 Rocky Creek and Brushy Creek 39 1.20 Dick Creek 39 1.21 Woods Creek 42 1.22 Peppermound Creek 42 1.23 Sweetwater Creek 42 1.24 Fish Creek 46 1.25 Broad Creek and Coon Hammock Creek 48 1.26 Delaney Creek 48 1.27 Archie Creek 48 1.28 Bullfrog Creek and Little Bullfrog Creek 52 1.29 Newman Branch 54 1.30 Wolf Branch 54 1.31 Cockroach Creek 54 1.32 Piney Point Creek 58 1.33 Redfish and Little Redfish Creek 58 1.34 Frog Creek and Cabbage Slough 61 1.35 McMullen Creek 61 1.36 Wares Creek 61 1.37 Palma Sola Creek 61 1.38 Bowles Creek 66 1.39 Classification Summary 66 Table of Contents continued Page 2. ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED MINOR TRIBUTARIES 73 2.1 Allen Creek 74 2.1.1 Hydrographic Features 74 2.1.2 Biological and Chemical Characterization 82 2.1.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations 85 2.1.4 Habitat Assessment 87 2.2 Delaney Creek 89 2.2.1 Hydrographic Features 89 2.2.2 Biological and Chemical Characterization 96 2.2.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations 99 2.2.4 Habitat Assessment 102 2.3 Frog Creek 103 2.3.1 Hydrographic Feature 103 2.3.2 Biological and Chemical Characterization 110 2.3.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations ill 2.3.4 Habitat Assessment 113 3. MANAGEMENT/RESTORATION PLAN FOR TAMPA BAY TIDAL CREEKS 115 3.1 Result of the Workshops 115 3.2 Allen Creek Plan 118 3.2.1 Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function 118 3.2.2 Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards 121 3.2.3 Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset 121 3.3 Delaney Creek Plan 123 3.3.1 Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function 123 3.3.2 Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards 129 3.3.3 Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset 130 3.4 Frog Creek Plan 131 3.4.1 Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function 131 3.4.2 Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards 134 3.4.3 Management of Tidal Tributaries as an Important Public Asset 136 3.5 Additional Applications of the Management/Restoration Plan 138 3.5.1 Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function 138 3.5.2 Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards 141 3.5.3 Management of Tidal Tributaries as an Important Public Asset 143 SUMMARY 144 LITERATURE CITED 145 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page I Wetland value in reducing flood crests and flow rates after rainstorms. 5 2 Relative productivity of wetland ecosystems in relation to other systems. 6 3 Simplified food pathways from estuarine wetland vegetation to commercial and recreational fishes. 6 4 Life cycle of the snook, Centropomus undecimalis. 8 5 Life cycle of the redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus. 8 6 Life cycle of the tarpon, Megalops atlantica. 9 7 Life cycle of the pink shrimp. 9 8 Monthly length frequency distribution for snook. 10 9 Schematic representation of juvenile snook migra- tion and association with various habitats and changes in food itelps consumed. 10 10 Florida landings of shrimp, 1952-82. 11 11 Florida landings of commercial marine products, 1952-82. 11 12 Value of Florida commercial marine landings, 1952-82. 12 13 Value of catch by species, 1977. 12 14 Location of classified minor tidal tributaries in the Tampa Bay Region. 14 15 Curlew Creek and Jerry Branch 15 16 Stevenson Creek 17 17 McKay Creek and Church Creek 18 18 Joe's Creek and St. Joe's Creek 20 19 Bear Creek 22 20 Salt Creek 23 21 Booker Creek 24 22 Tinney Creek 25 23 Grassy Creek 27 24 Long Branch Creek 28 25 Allen Creek 30 26 Alligator Creek 31 27 Mullet Creek 32 28 Bishop Creek 34 29 Moccasin Creek 35 30 Double Branch Creek 37 31 Channel A 38 32 Rocky Creek and Brushy Creek 40 33 Dick Creek 41 34 Woods Creek 43 35 Peppermound Creek 44 36 Sweetwater Creek 45 37 Fish Creek 47 38 Broad Creek and Coon Hammock Creek 49 39 Delaney Creek 50 40 Archie Creek 51 41 Bullfrog Creek and Little Bullfrog-Creek 53 42 Newman Branch 55 iii List of Figures - contd. Figure Page 43 Wolf Branch 56 44 Cockroach Creek 57 45 Piney Point Creek 59 46 Redfish Creek and Little Redfish Creek 60 47 Frog Creek and Cabbage Slough 62 48 McMullen Creek 63 49 Wares Creek 64 50 Palma Sola Creek 65 51 Bowles Creek 67 52 Pinellas County Developments of Regional 'Impact 69 53 Hillsborough County Developments of Regional Impact 71 54 Manatee County Developments of Regional Impact 72 55 Allen Creek watershed basin boundaries and general land use. 75 56 Allen Creek sampling stations and channel profile locations. 79 57 Allen Creek channel profiles. 80 58 Delaney Creek watershed basin and general land use. 91 59 Delaney Creek channel profiles. 92 60 Delaney Creek sampling stations and channel profile locations. 94 61 Frog Creek watershed basin and general land use. 104 62 Frog Creek sampling stations and channel profile locations. 106 63 Frog Creek channel profiles. 108 64 Framework for Management/Restoration Plan. 116 65 Delaney Creek Preferred.Capital Improvement Plan (west of 78th Street). 124 66 Delaney Creek Preferred Capital Improvement Plan (east of 78th Street). 125 67 Master Development Plan for Terra Ceia Isles. 135 iv LIST OF TABLES Table Page I Tidal Creek Summary 68 2 County Classification Summary 66 3 Allen Creek Drainage Basin and Sub-basin Area 76 4 Average Monthly Surface Water Discharge of Creek Basins into Creek 77 5 In-Situ Water Quality Parameter 78 6 Allen Creek Qualitative Sediment Descriptions 81 7 Chlorophyll a and Total Suspended Solids Concentrations 84 8 Fish CollectTon in Allen Creek 86 9 Delaney Creek Drainage Basin and Sub-Basin Area 90 10 Delaney Creek Qualitative Sediment Description 93 11 Water Quality Parameters at HCEPC Station 133 97 12 Water Quality Parameters at HCEPC Station 138 97 13 Fish Collection in Delaney Creek 100 14 Frog Creek Drainage Basin and Sub-Basin Area 105 15 Frog Creek Qualitative Sediment Description 109 16 Fish Collection in Frog Creek 112 v LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page A CITY OF CLEARWATER WATER QUALITY DATA FOR ALLEN CREEK A-1 B TAMPA BAY MANAGEMENT STUDY COMMISSION EXISTING AUTHORITY 14ATRIX A-7 vi INTRODUCTION Tampa Bay is one of the largest estuaries in the world (400 square miles) with 1.5 million people now living in the three counties bordering its shores. This represents a 45 percent population increase since 1970. Rapid urban and industrial development have radically changed the character and ecology of Tampa Bay and adjacent estuarine systems. For example, recent studies have indicated that 44 percent of the original 25,000 acres of mangroves and marshes have been destroyed, and 81 percent of the original 76,500 acres of seagrasses have disappeared. Many of the tidal tributaries entering Tampa Bay have been filed, diverted, hardened, channelized, or otherwise modified by point and non-point source discharges. This habitat loss has resulted in declining populations of commercially valuable fish and shellfish, including a complete collapse of such fisheries as those for scallops and oysters, and major declines for bait shrimp, red drum, and spotted sea trout. In addition, the provision of adequate quantities of freshwater to Tampa Bay is critical to its function as a productive estuary. The water must be provided at ecologically relevant times, and be relatively free of contaminants. At present, every river and many minor tributaries flowing to Tampa Bay are either dammed, tapped for cooling water, or have modified draining patterns. Development pressures and demands for potable water are immense and increasing, meaning that the basic estuarine character of Tampa Bay is endangered. Minor tributaries, or tidal creeks, flowing to Tampa Bay vary greatly in condition. Historical and anecdotal evidence exist to show that these streams were immensely productive estuarine zones. Modern data on relatively pristine tidal creeks support this view. Although little is known regarding the ecological condition of the majority of the minor tributaries entering Tampa Bay, the following conclusions are relevant to the study and management of these systems: � Tidal creeks provide critically important habitat for the majority of economically important species of fish found in the Gulf coastal waters � A comprehensive study or summary statement has never been accomplished for the condition of rivers and creeks flowing to Tampa Bay, or of their individual management problems � The various tributaries of Tampa Bay are naturally and culturally different, and each has unique problems as well as problems common to other streams � Eventual management of each tidal creek as an ecological unit will have to involve several levels of government and authority � Although several streams among those considered are highly stressed, more are natural or are still restorable � Population growth threatens all bay tributaries and unless actions are taken before 1990 more streams will be irrevocably stressed by the year 2000. This study was funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) Coastal Zone Management Program with direction to undertake an ecological assessment of selected minor tributaries entering Tampa Bay. The purpose of this funding was to develop a cooperative resource management/restoration plan for each tributary and its associated watershed. The ecological assessment, classification and management study is an outgrowth of, and is consistent with, The Future of Tampa Bay (TBRPC, 1984) a comprehensive management plan for Tampa Bay, as well as the ongoing Council study entitled the Tampa Bay Regional Habitat Restoration and Management Study. A total of 44 minor tributaries within the Tampa Bay Region were classified by condition based upon a review of available land use, habitat and water quality data in the tidal segment of each creek. Each tidal tributary was subjectively classified into natural, restorable or stressed condition. A summary of conditions within each tidal creek is included in Table 1 (Page 68). Following a literature review and classification of all tidal creeks, one representative tributary from each county was chosen for the ecological assessment. Selected tidal tributaries included: � Allen Creek in Pinellas County � Delaney Creek in Hillsborough County � Frog Creek in Manatee County. The selected tidal creeks were studied with respect to hydrographic features, biology and chemistry, and physical and chemical alterations. Allen Creek represented a minor tributary through a largely urbanized area with the major land use being residential and commercial. Delaney Creek represented a system through an industrialized, urban, and agricultural area with rapid urbanization taking place. Frog Creek was selected because it is representative of a system through an agricultural-rural watershed with little alteration in the estuarine portion of the creek. The ecological assessment was completed through contract services with Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. A series of public workshops were held using the information derived from the environmental assessment to develop a management/restoration plan for each selected tributary. In addition, the management/restoration plan (framework found in Table 64, Pages 116 and 117) was further applied to each condition (natural, stressed and restorable) as a test for consistency. The final product is a detailed restoration and management plan for three minor tributaries in the Tampa Bay watershed and one general application. It is the intent of the Council to implement all elements of the four plans wherever feasible during Developments of Regional Impact (DRI's) and Intergovernmental Coordination and Review (IC&R) reviews and through coordination with the DNR gill-net license fee habitat restoration program, as well as local government initiatives. The efforts of the Council's Agency on Bay Management will also be critical in implementing the findings and recommendations of this project. 2 1.0 IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MINOR TRIBUTARIES C" 0 1.1 The Importance of Tidal Creeks Tributaries maintain the estuarine character of Tampa Bay. The importance of rivers and lesser streams to estuaries has been documented by studies throughout the world. Tributaries channel and deliver freshwater and food sources to the estuary system. In addition, the rivers and streams provide crucial habitat, protective cover, and feeding grounds for the early life history stages of marine and estuarine life forms. The importance of freshwater flow into the bay is often overlooked. More than 60 years of marine research (Gunter 1961, 1967) has shown conclusively that low salinity estuarine water combined with the physical protection and energy sources supplied by marine plants constitutes the primary nursery habitat for most of the commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish species in the Gulf of Mexico (Lewis and Estevez, 1986). In addition, freshwater must be allowed to enter the estuary naturally and during ecologically relevant times in quantities necessary to lower salini- ties within vegetated habitats. The discharge of freshwater directly into unvegetated areas will reduce salinities without permitting the life forms to utilize the lowered salinities for critical habitat. Lewis and Estevez (1986), hypothesize that the tidal brackish to tidal freshwater marshes dominated by black needlerush mixed with freshwater plants located in the upper portions of tidal creeks and streams such as Double Branch Creek and the Alafia, Little Manatee, Manatee and Braden Rivers ultimately will be identified as some of this critical nursery habitat. A major component of critical habitat is its wetland system. In addition to the habitat function, wetlands promote: Environmental Quality - Maintenance of Water Quality � Pollution Filtration � Sediment Removal � Oxygen Production � Nutrient Recycling 3 o Chemical and Nutrient Absorption - Aquatic Productivity - Microclimate Regulation Socio-Economic Values - Flood Control - Wave Damage Protection - Erosion Control - Groundwater Recharge and Water Supply - Timber and Other Natural Products - Energy Source (Peat) - Livestock Grazing - Fishing and Shellfishing - Hunting and Trapping - Recreation - Aesthetics - Education and Scientific Research Isolated and flood plain wetlands within tributary watersheds may temporarily store runoff or slow the flow of water downstream (Figure 1). Potentially this will reduce floodpeaks and the frequency of flooding to downstream areas. Wetlands can improve, to varying degrees, the quality of water that flows over and through them. This function is accomplished by temporary or permanently retaining pollutants, such as suspended solids, excess nutrients, toxic chemicals, and disease-causing micro-organisms (OTA, 1984). Some pollutants that are trapped in wetlands may be converted by biochemical processes to less harmful forms. Some pollutants may remain buried; others may be taken up by wetland plants and either recycled within the wetland or transported from it. By temporarily delaying the release of nutrients until the fall, wetlands may help prevent excessive algae growth in open-water areas in the spring, when nutrient availability from other sources is typically high. Wetlands can retain nutrients on a net annual basis and have been used successfully for secondary treatment of sewage effluents. The wetland vegetation systems significantly can reduce shoreline erosion created by large waves and coastal flooding. Acting as baffles, roots and leaves bind and stabilize the sediments. This characteristic is documented by reports of some coastal marshes surviving the destructive scouring forces of coastal storms and hurricanes in the Gulf States. Coastal marshes and wetlands achieve some of the highest rates of plant productivity of any natural ecosystem (Figure 2). Although direct grazing of wetland plants is generally limited, their major food value is reached upon death when plants fragment to form detritus. This detritus forms the base of an aquatic food web which supports higher consumers, like commercial fishes (Figure 3). This relationship is especially well documented for coastal areas. Organisms, like shrimp, snails, clams, worms, killifish and mullet, eat detritus or graze upon the bacteria, fungi, diatoms and protozoa growing on its surfaces (Crow and MacDonald, 1979; de la Cruz, 1979). Many of these animals are the predominant food for commercial and recreational fishes. Thus wetlands can be regarded as the farmlands of the aquatic environment where great volumes of food are produced annually. 4 X M RAINSTOR 00.@M X Higher flood and higher flows Lower flood crest and lower flows X 11b X WETLANDS LU W cc NO WETLANDS C) - - - - - - - - - - 0 0 0 -j U. ............. ............ TIME jv* @WETLANDS Figure 1. Wetland value in reducing flood crests and flow rates after rainstorms (adapted from Kusler, 1983) 2500 SALT MARSH 2000 TROPICAL FRESHWATER RAIN WETLAND FOREST 1500 1000 COLD WARM DECIDUOUS TEMPERATE FOREST MIXED FOREST CULTIVATED '@,LA@ A LAND GRASSLAND ILt.-I Soo BOREAL FOREST DESERT I I NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY OF SELECTED ECOSYSTEMS [g/M2/yearl ADAPTED FROM LIETH (1975) AND TEAL AND TEAL (1969) Figure 2. Relative productivity of wetland ecosystems in relation to others (Newton, 1981, in Tiner, 1984) ESTUARINE WETLAND PLANTS ESTUARINE WATERS ZOOPLANKTON SHRIMP CLAMS -nr6--a KILLIFISM OYSTERS STRIPED BASS N BLUE CRAB WORMS MENHADEN BLUEFISH FLOUNDER LT ARSH fCOLD 0 Figure 3. Simplified food pathways from estuarine wetland vegetation to commercial and recreational fishes (Tiner, 1984) 6 Tidal creeks function as critical habitat by providing protective cover, feeding and breeding grounds for many commercially important species of fish and wildlife. In understanding the role of tributaries as fishery habitat it is important to first understand the life history of those species of concern. Figures 4-7 illustrate the life history of snook, tarpon, redfish, and pink shrimp in relation to which habitats are utilized. Several things are apparent from these figures as described by Lewis, et al. 1985. First, all of the species are near-shore oceanic spawners. Secondly, all use a multitude of habitats throughout their life cycle (i.e., none spend their entire lives in mangroves). Thirdly, all of the species show a preference for a low salinity nursery habitat that often includes marshes or mangroves at the upper limit of tidal influence in tidal freshwater streams. Gilmore et al. (1983), identified peripheral tidal freshwater streams draining into salt marshes as the prime nursery habitat for snook in the Indian River. Figure 8 represents monthly length frequency distribution for 1167 snook (Centropomus undecimalis) and habitat types where collection occurred. Figure 9 identifies Juvenile snook migration and their association with various habitats and subsequent changes in food items consumed. Gilmore et al. (1983) reiterated the opinion of Marshal (1958), "in that loss of habitat and general degradation of water quality has undoubtedly had a more permanent and therefore greater effect on reducing snook population than the fishery." Lewis et al. (1985) further described the complex use of several habitats during a life cycle as a "habitat mosaic." "Like a puzzle it is only functional when all the pieces are present. If only one of the key habitats is altered or removed, it can effectively stop the cycle and reduce or eliminate the recruitment of juveniles to the adult population, and thus reduce the available harvestable adult population. This fact and the general ignorance of the complexity of the life histories of these species has led to an overemphasis on certain management practices (e.g. bag limits for snook) while others are largely ignored (e.g. protection of tidal freshwater stream habitats)." The loss of nursery habitat is reflected by a decrease in the harvestable adult population. Figure 10 identifies the decreasing trend in Florida landings of shrimp over 30 years. Figure 11 portrays the Florida landings of commercial marine products over the same time period. The direct value of the trend is reflected by an increase in the monetary value of commercial marine landings (Figure 12), for the same time frame as dictated by supply and demand. Figure 13 identifies the value of harvested species in 1977. Future demand on harvestable species will continue to pressure remaining stocks and may lead to the increase in foreign imports of saltwater fishery products. 7 @ TIDAL SNOOK LIFE CYCLE 1:: FRESHWATER A AM d RECREATIONAL FIGHERMEN EGGS % Mo LARVAR X. 0 SPAWN 44 GEAGRAS MANGRO LT M N @ALT M Figure 4. Life cycle of the snook (Centropomus undecimalis) (Lewis, et. al., 1985) TIDAL :7 FRESHWATER OCEAN STREAM U elk EN EGGS -1p ALI-, SIFEAAGRAS SPAWN Feeding 44'0'4':T.! SALT MARSH MANGROVES Figure 5. Life cycle of the redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) (Lewis, et. al., 1985) 8 TIDAL FRESHWATER OCEAN STREAM SPAWN (OCS) JUVENILE i;y- as 4 SU ADULT SEAGRAS ADULT LC E T ARY!:@ LARVAE SALT MARSH -.OF L MANGROVES Figure 6. Life cycle of the tarpon (Megalops atlantica) (Lewis, et. al., 1985) OCS OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LC LEPTOCEPHALU3 MAINLAND BARRIER ISLAND OCEAN SMALL* 4N TRAWLEA -STUARY LARVAE EGGS TRAWLER -AbOSTLARVAE N, ES-TU*. f,m . ..... . .. .. ADULTS JUVENILES (B T 4 'A' -@,&SEAGRA MARSHIMANGI Figure 7. Life cycle of the pink shrimp (Lewis, et. al., 1985) FEW Q 11- MAR R " -(M.. . , - . .- .- .. 123 APM@ -A fh ,-,a 31 Is MAY n. w AUG WL aa.m., So, JA- OCT 231 GEC INS 30* 3*0 400 un, STANOARD LENGTH I-' Fig- 8- Monthly length frequency distribution for 1167 Centropotnus undecimalis for which length measurements were taken, 1974-1980. 8 seagrass beds; 0 - fresh water; a marsh (Gilmra, at. al. , 1983) FOOD PREFERENCE MCROCRUSTACIANS FISH %ampJaIA) FISH SHRIMP AGUNDANT FISHES [ANCHOVIES Q A PINPIS4' SHRIMP FISH(MULL11r) CRASS, SHRIMP Top '0 04 9 0 Imp% to 00 Ito. STANDARD LENGTH tM-1 13-30 31-100 101-150 151-300 Figure 9.. Schematic representation of juvenile snook railLr-ation and association with various It habitats and subsequent changes in food items consumed. (GLIAcre, at. al. , 1983) 10 Figure 10. Florida landings of shrimp, 1952-1982 (Lewis,et. al., 1985) z -3 0 CL 40- z 0 al. 60 woo' a-* 64 i's a's "S 10,40 YEAR too- Figure 11. Florida landings of commercial marine Sao- products, 1952-1982 (Lewis, et. al., 1985) 240. Sao &go- z Z) 210. 0 z too 0 ISO. too fro ISO. ISO. 6 @49 6 0 ',4o, a's Ioil, a rO 6& YEAR 11 ISO. Figure 12. Value of Florida commercial marine ISO- landings, 1952-1982 (Lewis, et. al., 1.985) 140- ISO- ISO- CC 110. < 100. -j -i So. 0 0 so Z 70. 0 SO. So. 40- so so. to. oil i4 iG If$ lit 64 If@ Iff I'S f4 fe fe 1;;0 92 YEAR SPECIES CAT"SH WASINWATIR) 3.25 Figure 13. Value of catch by species, 1977 Dffim 3.28 (Lewis, et. al.., 1985) sLuumW -).31 MENUMN .33 SEATROUT 11.27 PONVANO 2.07 SPANSIH MACKaREL 12.46 OYSTERS 13.17 anouran 3.53 I(MUMMAEL ---- 13.65 MULLa 1 OTHER sk"Pen 16.02 CRAB 1.0"Taft -7110.48 44.42 0 2 1'0 1'2 1'4 MILLION DOLLARS 12 In order to reverse this unappealing trend, it is vital to improve juvenile stock populations by managing the critical habitat necessary for the main- tenance of the species. Management or restoration of the tidal tributaries to Tampa Bay can prevent further degradation to the nursery area critical for adult fish and shellfish populations. Rivers and tidal creeks are vulnerable to numerous impacts which also become evident downstream in terms of decreased estuarine productivity. Examples include hydroperiod alterations through excess drainage or impoundments; loss of corridor by damming; changes to stream loads by increasing runoff or discharging pollu- tants, and diverting or preventing flows; increased relief and habitat losses through dredging and filling; and contamination through disposal of toxic materials. As rivers and creeks deteriorate, their ability to buffer cultural shocks to the estuary are lost. Rivers and creeks flowing into Tampa Bay vary greatly in condition. While basic information on tidal tributaries is lacking, enough exists to allow important ones to be classified by their overall condition from a management point of view. The type of classification to be used includes natural, restorable, and stressed. "Creeks" are defined as small streams of the Pamlico Terrace in which tidal prisms are equal to or larger than average discharge. Figure 14 identifies the classified minor tributaries and location within the Tampa Bay Region. All classifications are based on conditions within the tidal segment of each stream. For the purposes of this report, the extent of tidal influence is determined by the transition of brackish to freshwater vegetation communities. Land use adjacent to each creek is identified to further characterize condition and potential impacts. Linear creek length is calculated using a Charvoz planimeter averaging three replicate measurements. Creek characterization is based upon historical literature, aerial photography and 1:24,000 quadrangles. 1.2 Curlew Creek and Jerry Branch Just north of the City of Dunedin, in Pinellas County, and draining into St. Joseph's Sound lies Curlew Creek (Figure 15). Curlew Creek travels approximately four miles with a channel slope ranging from about 60 feet/mile (ft/mi) at the headwaters to less than five ft/mi near the mouth. Flow at the creeks mouth is estimated at 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) (Cherry et al. 1970). The mouth of Curlew Creek has been hardened and channelized by residential development. Boating access is available to adjacent residential units but is limited by shoaling of the creek upstream. The middle and upper segments contain a forested floodplain with adjacent areas being predominantly urban residential with intermixed agricultural use and open space. Jerry Branch bisects Curlew Creek at the confluence. The branch travels approximately 2.4 miles from Lake Jerry to Curlew Creek and has a south to north alignment. Jerry Branch is channelized for flooding control and is surrounded by residential development with smaller parcels of open space. Adjacent to the perimeter of Jerry's Lake are orchards, freshwater marsh systems and forested areas. 13 Figure 14. Location of classified minor tidal tributaries in the Pinellas Tampa Bay region County Hills Pinellas County 1. Curlew Creek 21 2. Jerry Branch 19 3. Stevenson Creek PI P 4. McKay Creek 17 22 5. Church Creek 91 26 6. Joe's Creek 2 7. St. Joe's Creek 15 8. Bears Creek 9. Salt Creek 3 16 jj20 A@ 10. Hooker Creek L. 23 24 25 11. Tinney Creek 14 12. Grassy Creek 4 13. Long Branch Creek 14. Allen's Creek 13 15. Alligator Creek 5 16. Mullet Creek 12 1. 17. Bishop Creek 1. 18. Moccasin Creek 1: Hillsborough County 28 2 34 19. Double Branch Creek 20. Channel A 7 10 21. Rocky Creek 22. Brushy Creek 23. Dick Creek 24. Woods Creek 25. Peppermound Creek 26. Sweetwater Creek 27. Fish Creek 28. Coon Hammock Creek 38 36 29. Broad Creek 30. Delaney Creek 37 31. Archie Creek 32. Bullfrog Creek 33. Little Bullfrog Creek 39 34. Newman Branch 35. Wolf Branch 36. Cockroach Creek 11 --1- 11. --Z -ift Creek Manatee County 42 38. Redfish and Little Redfish Creek 39. Prog Creek 40. Cabbage Slough 41. McMullen Creek 43 42. Wares Creek 43. Palma Sol& Creek 44 44. Bowles Creek ---- - -- -------- ----------------- ill.borough County I-'igure 1.5. old Curlew Creek and Jerry Branch County T.Olle BAY Oulf of NexinO Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles Moat- County U.S. Geological Survey t Department of the interior 7 W S, O'Vd @I 13. ,09N C. + i COI A Sa@d Keys it V 24 31 AVW PARK LN A din lslee@ I *age Dune L I rb S LE 1 24 00 Y@ WLE P ,0 7 t .......... , :12. :12 6 ,.2 ARWkWR A- -------- - -- T.11 ":JU U iH 1 r Water quality in Curlew Creek is influenced by six point source discharges and by non-point source stormwater runoff. The largest point source is Greenbriar Service Corporation which discharges 38.1 milligrams per liter (mg/1) of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD-5) (ESE, 1977). Dissolved oxygen concentratioris exceed 6.6 mg/l downstream from point source discharges (Schomer et al. 1984). Point source discharge and stormwater runoff continue to moderately impact water quality within Curlew Creek and Jerry Branch. The tidally influenced portion of Curlew Creek is hardened and channelized for development with little potential for restoration. Therefore Curlew Creek is characterized as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.3 Stevenson Creek Entering Clearwater Harbor north of Clearwater is Stevenson Creek (Figure 16). The area northeast of Clearwater drains south through an unnamed creek that empties into Stevenson Creek 0.6 miles upstream from its mouth. The eek travels to the north and northwest for approximately four miles to the mouth. The lower segment is tidally influenced and flow at the mouth averages ZU cfs (Cherry et al. 1970 in Schomer et al. 1984). The mouth of Stevenson Creek contains small tidal marsh areas but is dominated by residential development. Several golf courses and a school are located in the middle segment. The majority of the upper segment is dominated by urban development from the City of Clearwater. The Clearwater-Marshall Street Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant is permitted to discharge 10 million gallons per day (MGD) treated effluent into Stevenson Creek. In addition, the non-point source pollutants entering the creek from adjacent urban development categorize Stevenson Creek as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.4 McKay Creek and Church Creek McKay Creek enters Clearwater Harbor just north of the Narrows (Figure 17). McKay Creek travels north for approximately 4.7 miles, then travels an additional 1.7 miles southwest to the mouth of the harbor. Church Creek is approximately 1.6 miles in length and travels north to its confluence at the mouth of McKay Creek. Flow at the mouth of McKay Creek is estimated at 5 cfs (Cherry et al. 1970 in Schomer et al. 1984). The mouth of McKay Creek has been hardened by residential. finger fill development. Adjacent residential development continues to encroach on McKay Creek along its length upstream to Taylor Lake. Between Taylor Lake water reservoir and Walsingham Reservoir the land use is moderately undeveloped with some historic agricultural activity. The headwaters of McKay Creek contain a contiguous freshwater marsh system and borrow pits then dissipating into a residential development. Church Creek contains a tidal marsh at the confluence with McKay Creek. Church Creek is moderately impacted by golf courses, a cemetery and low density residential usage. 16 - - - - - - --- - WI; T 7 A--A f Figure 16. T :z-7 E 7' Stevenson Creek '4 'Tk I JIP C1 71@ *K J, il@h Cie T YW' -F.- L r Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles -jI- U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interio w M L W1. @V' G.1 ON. PP r '9 C 7 I'% C@ty 11 0 [Ake 2 OtT IA Tj cow SCALE 124000 .9 Mimi" ICOO 0 ill., Z'X@' K'.) 6@a N-t" amaty a fflhmw"d ,Ch till Vh J; -7- rIf _P; 1 '7 IL r;a: ,ch r7 --:71, Figure 17. Att; ---------- 7" j, 3 j L 11, McKay Creek and Church Creek T. P., '91 P 4 f ;L Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior Anona .4, QT T. '2 q G.0 C-. I rn L r .I -7 willaborough County - . . . @O .1 1 7- 17' 16 ou 16 Pinellas COMO )...: : i P M 7 .. @-111- LL It U.P. "Y 54 W- Gulf of Na"tes County 20 -P7 T. 'Athlobc: C:. V-4.. co.t. r-IT D Wa SCALE 124 COO I LW 3 iv-, :C" "..Y, V, ;J* I AI t-- 1 0.-, The tidal segments of McKay and Church Creek contain a mix of natural marsh systems isolated by residential development. The middle and upper portions of each creek are moderate to lightly developed with freshwater flows being controlled in McKay Creek by the two reservoirs. Future improvements to wastewater treatment plant effluent (McKay Creek Sewage Treatment Plant) discharged into the Narrows and Clearwater Harbor, better management of non- point source (stormwater) pollutants and control of piecemeal development may improve McKay Creek to a restorable condition. Currently McKay and Church Creeks are stressed tidal tributaries due to the encroachment of urbanization. 1.5 Joe's Creek and St. Joe's Greek Joe's Creek outfalls into the Cross Bayou Canal which in turn f lows into Boca Ciega Bay in southwest Pinellas County (Figure 18). Joe's Creek has three branches with St. Joe's Creek being the longest travelling a total of approximately 6.6 miles. The tributaries travel westerly to meet Joe's Creek which travels northwest to intersect with the Cross Bayou Canal. The mouth of Joe's Creek is contiguous with one of the largest tidal marsh systems still existing in Boca Ciega Bay. The northern branch travels approximately two miles through a mixture of residential and light industrial development. This branch is channelized and drains the southern portion of Pinellas Park. The junction with the middle tributary delineates the beginning of St. Joe's Creek. The middle tributary of Joe's Creek is channelized and is dominated by residential use with some parcels in industrial use and open space. The St. Joe's Creek basin is composed of residential development with commercial and industrial areas to the east in the watershed. The eastern segment lies within the St. Petersburg - Lealman urbanized area of Pinellas County. The southern tributary to St. Joe's Creek is characterized by criss-crossed drainage canals supporting the heavy residential development of the Tyrone area, including the commercial Tyrone Square Mall. Tributaries to Boca Ciega Bay have been modified into underground storm- sewers or open ditches (Lopez and Michaelis, 1979). The upper reach of Joe's Creek is 67 percent storm-sewered and 33 percent open ditches. Background water quality in the creeks is fair and does not reflect the poor water quality of stormwater that flows to Boca Ciega Bay through these tributaries (Schomer, et al. 1984), such as Joe's Creek. In addition, Joe's Creek receives industrial discharges from Dixie Plating Inc. and municipal wastewater discharges from the South Cross Bayou Plant, permitted at 28.5 MGD (CDM, 1983). The mouth of Joe's Creek is in relatively good condition, however the tidal marsh system cannot assimilate all of the pollutants created by the urbanized drainage basin. Joe's Creek and St. Joe's Creek are stressed tidal tributaries and further development will require better management to prevent additional degradation. 19 Figure 18. Joe a Creek and Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles St. Joe's Creek U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 01 o -j- Ri 2' rib:` A* I; V, 1 1 1 L -3. ;k 4-r, -7 R,: :J 36 0! j X 0 ZMEN.M.Ole 7*i-'*-,-'-*.T.*-; -x X :7. b?k !.-- Ira 1I\W` SCALE 1:240DO L IV Mau f -W q_# V 6 1.6 Bear Creek Bear Creek travels southwesterly to southern Boca Ciega Bay on the west side of the South Pasadena area (Figure 19). Bear Creek is approximately 2.7 miles in length with the majority of the drainage area being residential. Bear Creek has been channelized to provide flood control. Stormwater from this creek exhibits high concentrations of total coliforms (6.8 x 105 Couats/100 ml), lead t128 micrograms per liter (ug/1)], and zinc (83 ug/1) (Schomer et al. 1984). Poor water quality and loss of natural alignment has characterized Bear Creek as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.7 Salt Creek Salt Creek drains the lower southeastern Pinellas County peninsula and flows into Bayboro Harbor, an urbanized embayment (Figure 20). Salt Creek receives the outflow from Lake Maggiore. Between Lake Maggiore and Bayboro Harbor, Salt Creek is approximately 1.5 miles in length. Lake Maggiore, based on water quality data, is considered as one of the ten worst lakes in Florida. The lake is characterized by poor light penetration (0.3 m secchi depth), and high concentrations of chlorophyll-a (158 ug/1), total nitrogen (4.45 mg/1) and total phosphorous (0.28 mg/1) (Schomer et al. 1984). The lake margin consists of approximately two-thirds freshwater marsh and one-third residential development. The shoreline of Salt Creek has been hardened at Bayboro Harbor and contains industrial development from seafood processing, boat facilities, and electrical power generation facilities. The middle segment to Lake Maggiore is dominated by residential usage with Bartlett Park being located in the center. Urbanized Salt Creek is classified as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.8 Booker Creek Booker Creek drains into Bayboro Harbor in St. Petersburg (Figure 21). The creek runs southeast and is 1.9 miles in length. Booker Creek drains the majority of downtown St. Petersburg and the major highway and arterial roads of,Interstate 275. Base flow in Booker Creek, 1.5 miles upstream of the mouth, averages 1.0 cfs. Under base flow conditions the creek is turbid [140 jackson turbidity units (JTU)] and high in nutrients [total phosphate (TP)-0.25 mg/l, total nitrogen (TN)-2.0 mg/11 (Schomer et al. 1984). Booker Creek is a stressed tidal tributary, characterized by poor water quality and an urbanized drainage area. 1.9 Tinney Creek Tinney Creek historically provided drainage from Sawgrass Lake to Riviera Bay in Pinellas County (Figure 22). Currently Tinney Creek has been rerouted in large open drainage ditches into Riviera Bay. Portions of the creek still retain a different alignment than the ditch. Tinney Creek is 21 Figure 19. 1111119borot"h 0-ty wd ri-II1.8 Bear Creek Cty cult of r--'- ftnat" C"Aty Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior C arnon L IAV E- -AV9 44 t Jud a J e-r3b Jr 11exe 0-0 .0 7/0 UL 1 a "aemh I \J -wr' -e Sc -'P e swh.a cmlsi ... -a al. P mi Y Isrsch. n F.- F rod h X\ irw' -i '=K .1 1 t ILP r a I AIR a 'no C I'd G IfDdrt i q A 1 B I I zc)c'@ r @CALJ 1: U24 MILE x \J L 1000 a 20M 3000 4EM 5= 2W FEET M CCC FEET- S r 58@..; &EAC@ 0 8 W. 133 (PASS 0 1 KILOMETER edited, and publiShed by the Geoiogical 22 Figure 20. Salt Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 7 tL C rj_!'R'1ORT un f: 'a kligh S G L." Orb "A T @7 ZLf er 24000 SCALE 1. IMI,E V>X 0 1 11.V 2)" @.Oc 11AA) iEET [q) P3 LA*@ P- vo .7 H [$R A-L 131 -10 8V P h =11 ........... 3 *41 31 '35 36 S.T@ -C ".1. Alaggiore Lake Q oar. vE 8 T1 I _sgr. so@- sar. 7@' LL -7P@ Y. tAco,@t. C,@b L 7 z 0 v T Little Bayou @T L, r 23 Figure 21. It-it. Booker Creek T@ BAY W9.9 -1-. Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior ke GrA 15@ L -J "'Em" 7 w t Ch L PI1 ao. AV r . I. -_I it T -7 q WOO-118-wo ........ A17@ ji.. U 4 9 ill - L 4 * U o ort wi rt U .......... CD IF- 0103 ; +!Wtao AV. ort 0. YaCht 01i r INYCII k@lil; ar Lk lip K woo, 4 ent tjtjnl@'11 9 vr, A, low -11 it 1A.4 'I @-IL ;.-. -J '2 311 iL J-: fAVC 4! Uh W I J- J- L V 7q C, ALBERT WHItTED -.1V AIRPORT A. r; oil ji r 16 Par High 0 G11 I ;j b o-r j z r lit J. 1 !24- SCALE 124000 I MILE EEM IF, t-1 IL I 4 A 4()rp nA- 60N) 70-0 FEE! 1000 0 1000 20M 311, it I -ILO-ETER 0 JJ Ft. 16 E. k 17 E. 339@ E 338 24 Figure 22. Hillaborough county .16 1.." I Tinney Creek pin I.. On I Taw. &.y Gulf of ftsi.o. Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles Moat" county U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior . ......... `7 zm 4 v, 7:-23 Bi Riviera .7 .7;. Z6 i. V sch tL C V,N 6 wk ............... . .. ......... X_ 4, C.0 L @J_ X. 1V 44 f a qP. _1 32 32 L 36 SCALE zim- I @.l @,x ;EET ZN I ...... i ,ZWER B 25 2.7 miles in length and outfalls into the finger fills located on Riviera bay. The shoreline of Tinney Creek has been hardened for residential finger fill development at the mouth. Many adjacent areas within Riviera Bay and Weedon Island contain large expanses of mangrove marsh. The middle segment is surrounded by residential and commercial development. The upper segment has been impacted by the excavation of borrow pits during the construction of Interstate @75 and still receives stormwater drainage from the Interstate. Sawgrass Lake drains eastern Pinellas Park and northwestern St. Petersburg. The majority of the lake's drainage area is urban (70 percent). The lake itself is surrounded primarily by a red-maple swamp and to a lesser extent a mixed-oak ridge (Rochow, 1979, 1982). Nutrient loading to the lake was ranked fourth highest for lakes in Florida, but concentrations within the lake 'varied considerably, possibly caused by the dense mats of water hyacinth (Eichnornia crassipes) that completely cover the 'Lake surface, assimilating nutrients into their biomass (Dooris, 1979). Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the hyacinth mat decrease sharply to near zero (Schomer et al. 1984). The loss of natural channel alignment and function, and development pressures degrading water quality conditions within Sawgrass Lake, characterize Tinney Creek as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.10 Grassy Creek Grassy Creek enters Old Tampa Bay adjacent to the north side of the Howard Frankland Bridge in Pinellas County (Figure 23). The creek runs through a mangrove marsh system and is connected with numerous mosquito ditches. The upper reaches receive sheet flow runoff from a golf course -and apartment communities. Grassy Creek is approximately 0.84 mile in length and flows in an easterly direction. The upper drainage basin is lightly developed, while the creek channel retains its natural alignment. Grassy Creek is characterized as a natural tidal tributary. 1.11 Long Branch Creek Long Branch Creek is located north of St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport and flows into Old Tampa Bay between the Howard Frankland Bridge and the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Pinellas County (Figure 24). The longest segment is 3.4 miles in length and stream flow is toward the northeast. The mouth of Long Branch meanders into Old Tampa Bay through a tidal marsh system adjacent to forested floodplain areas. Only light residential development and plots of agriculture exist in this lower segment. The middle segment is dominated by residential and commercial development and drains U.S. 19. Both upper branches (north and south) of Long Branch are surrounded by residential development and light commercial uses. The upper segments have been channelized for urban drainage. 26 Fiqure 23. I1111.bOM"h C-ty 014 Grassy Creek counti, Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior Bunker Hill VN, -151-and I abbage Patch Point Cedar Point f V 1P ras co; 1V in;t Z ;Ulf C P, Trailer Park --tt as SCALE 1- 24 COO MILE Vf:c 3@jc-c 4 @,)Orl 10i@o FEET 5 1 Kk-,',?AETRE ::!1;;7 ------------- 7 27 Figure 24. Rill.bomugh C@-ty Long Branch Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles TaWa say U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 0,11f of VA.ico V_t" cclwlty ;Jll I-"4% 7,. f I C I IN U U 11-i a n I; p . ........ T 4: @S 19 j J, r.=07 1P "L. C((rn 8,1` % 11 1 r 4 j# j! w. j ir .4 Z, A Z, i J CCALE IZ 4 OW CY.- rEEr 5 1 K-LO-ETER f 1:71 1 0"" J'i 1:1;W W-I .... -V It 4 A, 'h ILL 28 The lower segment (tidally influenced area) of Long Branch remains in a relatively natural condition. Midway Services Corporation discharges 0.15 hundred gallons per day (HGD) of industrial effluent into Long Branch. Improved point and non-point source pollutant management practices and natural conditions at the mouth of Long Branch Creek characterize this tidal tributary as restorable. 1.12 Allen Creek Allen Creek flows into Old Tampa Bay south of the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Pinellas County (Figure 25). Allen Creek is classified as a stressed tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. A detailed ecological assessment of Allen Greek is included in the following section of this report. 1.13 Alligator Creek Alligator Creek flows into Old Tampa Bay via Alligator Lake, north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Pinellas County (Figure 26). The longest segment of Alligator Creek 'is approximately 4.4 miles in length and drains into Alligator Lake which is 0.66 mile long. The creek travels in an easterly direction into Old Tampa Bay. Alligator Lake was formed by damming the tidal connection to Upper Tampa Bay under Spring Boulevard. Alligator Lake and the lower creek segment are surrounded by open forested areas, agriculture (groves) and light residential. The middle and upper segments are dendritic with light residential and agricultural areas. Many borrow pits intersect the branches, potentially providing areas for marsh creation. The extreme western segments lie within the City of Clearwater industrial/ commercial areas. Flow one mile upstream of Alligator Lake averages 8.0 cfs and ranges from U.25 cfs to b28 cfs (Cherry et al. 1970; USGS, 1982 in Schomer et al. 1984). High counts of coliforms, high concentrations of BOD and phosphate, and low dissolved oxygen levels have been recorded for Alligator Creek (ESE 1977). These conditions are repeated downstream in Alligator Lake where chlorophyll-a concentrations averaged 38 ug/l (Huber et al. 1983 in Schomer et al. 1984). Two point source discharges have been identified on Alligator Greek and include Aerosonics Corporation [Municipal at 7.5 thousand gallons per day (TGD)j (DER, 1983) and Boulevard 0.018 HGD (Schomer et al. 1984). Alligator Creek has lost the intrinsic functions of a natural tidal tributary by the action of damming to create Alligator Lake. Removal of the dam and better management of point and non-point source discharges may upgrade Alligator Creek to the restorable category. However, Alligator Creek is characterized as a stressed tributary under existing conditions. 1.14 Mullet Creek Mullet Creek is located in Pinellas County north of Courtney Campbell Causeway, and flows eastward into Old Tampa Bay (Figure 27). The longest branch is approximately 2.3 miles in length. 29 Figure 25. Ull.b Allen Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior Its, i4 IN I 1WR 147 =3 - d van -4r- ir! ................. L5 I*( 0" F V, Ciiw 26 -M. r I U 1J, lea lea AA v. T@' 46 36.' W Q 35 SCALE 124000 ur Cjrn IIIL low o low 2am Am 4aw mw ww low FUT swomm" .,.QKTEN 30 Figure 26. 1111118bomugh C@ty Alligator Creek C-.ty Tampa "Y 0,Lf 91 N..Lm ftfta@ C@ty Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior x i7 xxx -JI.1@60r v --x -x x - -7- 7- 7-- @j N 2. 7 .r 1@ J, 7 i7i ST .0 Got j; _;. 10- - 12 7 < V 7 0 4 @7 L N SCALE L24 000 Zc 'ET@' L jWR C ffT- :7@ -Z:*. ------ 31 Figure 27. Mullet Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior L SAFETY 9A UM 29F oot M 1401nd Phdspr 32 '34 Pt Safety Harbor:*:,:*-:,.*. @-=6== Chaod4uq" ca S.W ----------- -------- _- ------ ---- - 7-; z5'. t r L 33 34# 19 ---------------- d' NVI AL 0 el .4 z1 7C- T. 'A SCALE 1:24 000 0 -ILE 2 oc-@ 3OIX 43co 6'" 7COO I'EET ETRE o 1 KILO"t ........ . . z A Not no- -S L ------- 32 The mouth of Mullet Creek contains a small marsh limited by dredge and fill operations on either side for residential development. The middle segment contains a wooded overstory with low density residential and commercial development. The headwaters are predominately in open agricultural use (citrus and pasturelands). Mullet Creek receives stormwater pollutants from agricultural usage (upper) and residential development (middle and lower). Safety Harbor Municipal Treatment Facility discharges 0.33 HGD into Mullet Creek (Schomer et al. 1984). The natural tidal portion of Mullet Creek is limited by adjacent residential development. Existing open area in the upper drainage area and the potential for future water quality improvements classify Mullet Creek as a restorable tidal tributary. 1.15 Bishop Creek In northern Pinellas County, draining into the western side of Safety Harbor in Old Tampa Bay, lies Bishop Creek (Figure 28). The creek drains toward the east-northeast for a distance of approximately 1.8 miles. The mouth of Bishop Creek meanders through an extensive tidal marsh. The lower segment remains in a natural condition with a meandering alignment and wooded floodplain buffered from development. The middle segment has low intensity residential usage. The upper drainage area is mostly agricultural areas with some encroachment by residential development. Bishop Creek receives some non-point source pollution from agricultural and residential development. The majority of the tidal segment remains in pristine condition and qualifies as a natural tidal tributary. 1.16 Moccasin Creek Moccasin Creek enters Old Tampa Bay via the Upper Safety Harbor water body in northern Pinellas County (Figure 29). The creek travels in a southeast direction for a distance of 1.5 miles into Safety Harbor. Moccasin Creek is a small tributary flowing to Old Tampa Bay through a minimally developed portion of Pinellas- County. The mouth of the creek contains small fringe marsh areas with adjacent residential development. The middle and upper segments are adjacent to open pasturelands and the Harbor Palms residential development. The headwaters of Moccasin Creek are adjacent to a wastewater treatment plant and industrial waste ponds. Additional potential pollution sources include agricultural and residential stormwater runoff. Due to minimal encroachment and pollution sources at present, Moccasin Creek is classified as a natural tidal tributary. 1.17 Double Branch Creek In the extreme northwestern corner of Hillsborough County and flowing 33 Figure 28. Bishop Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior A, 3 22z '2 T 2 -S 7, 010 sni _j 1@@ "34, Bri4e@rt,-, i j .1 01 i c @w IRBOR SAFETY I@A 'T, -26, oat 7 aM. P tt 1\ ZOT"" -j -:Mo.nd Grave -,00e-L. 'OK p, -ipi@e 4 Pt .@j 3, ........ Safety Harbor -------- --- -am-O Sou P.. MI.> ----------- BA@V,CW 2 9 M@ 42-30" 333 fSAFEry MARSOR) 135 136 40' SCA, LE 124'@Qn--j Figure 29. Moccasin Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 1@1 Raft U ,2 [email protected] 'Waste 14 --13 O!s P0.0 `Zubst;twfj*@ - - - - - - - - - - - - - Harbor ------------ Palms 01. ----------- ............. . EEO SEABOARD 24 '22 23 Am z 01 ,YF!@ SCALE 124 000 6clIc, -^.Cc 'Er-. U1= SAFETY @ARBOR 3: 25 -27 T,,:aj Pat$ 35 southward into Old Tampa Bay lies Double Brancft Creek (Figure 30). The creek drains 19 square miles and has an estimated discharge of 40 cfs (Simon, 1974). Double branch Creek has three distinct branches, with the longest traveling 6.8 miles to its mouth in Double Branch Bay. Double Branch bay is dominated by mangrove islands and tidal marsh expanses. The lower segment meanders through additional tidally influenced marsh segments with minimal residential development. The eastern branch is channelized with spoil banks deposited adjacent to the creek. Much of the drainage area contains cypress marshes and other freshwater herbaceous marshes that have been drained to maintain adjacent agricultural usage. Extensive drainage canals can be identified on Figure 30. Between the eastern branch and the middle branch the creek meanders through residential development. The middle branch is longest and is also characterized by extensive wetland drainage for agricultural purposes. The western branch travels through the Florida Downs Racetrack and supporting facilities. The upper segment is dominated by agricultural usage with associated enhanced wetland draining. The upper segment arises within a large cypress swamp. Double branch Creek is tidally influenced as observed in high salinities (12 ppt) measured at the Rillsborough Avenue Bridge (HCEPC, 1983). High nutrients, organics (TOC), and coliform levels peak in the wet season and are caused by urban stormwater (including runoff from the Florida Downs Racetrack) and pastureland runoff (HCEPC, 1983; Dooris and Dooris, 1984 in Schomer et al. 1984). Color, much higher in Double Branch Creek than other creeks to the. east indicates the strong influences of wetland areas on the stream's water quality (HCEPC, 1983). The extensive tidal marsh and low intensity usage of the -drainage area classify Double Branch Creek as a natural tidal tributary. 1.18 Channel "A" Channel "A", although not part of this study, is discussed for informational purposes. Constructed in 1966, Channel "A" is designed to provide flood relief for the Rocky Creek drainage basin. The channel travels southwest for a distance of approximately 4.1 miles from its confluence with Rocky Creek to Old Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County (Figure 31). Channel "A" cuts through Cabbagehead Bayou - an extensive tidal marsh system, Spoil material has been piled alongside the channel and prevents natural freshwater distribution over the adjacent marsh areas. Channel "All contains twice the chlorophyll-a concentration, very low nitrate levels (0.05 mg/1), and total nitrogen levels equal to those found in Rocky Creek (HCEPC, 1963; Dooris and Dooris, 1984 in Schomer et al. 1984). Channel "A", and to some extent Rocky Creek, exhigl-ts some of the lowest color levels (18.8 platinum-cobalt units) reported from Hillsborough County. This reflects the urbanization and loss of wetlands that were once common in the drainage area (Schomer et al. 1984). 36 Figure 30. Double Branch Creek 6 Source: 7..5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey co Department of the Interior x - ------------ Hillsborough County old 16 Pin* Ilea -------------- -- County P Tamp& Day RO - 21 7 xico Gulf Of NO 9P f Manatee County 29 2 31 ...... Nllfifi@Je DAY 16 A Figure 31. Channel A Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior CbASr 7 21 22 24 L t 7 --z 25 SCALE 124000 0 @0 13C@ IEE' 1 -0-UR C NTOUR INTER AL 5 FEET NATIONAOL GEOOETIC veRTVICAL OATUM OF 1929 A. T,. 7 4. " @4t ZPARTMEN'. G OLO EOLO(@, % 33 J% 2L/@" Wk 'i 1.19 Rocky Creek and Brushy Creek Located in northwestern Hillsborough County and traveling in a southerly direction into Uld Tampa Bay lies Rocky Creek (Figure 32). The creek travels a distance of approximately 10.9 miles from Turkey Ford Lake to Old Tampa Bay and drains 45 square miles. Brushy Creek, the largest tributary of Rocky Greek, drains 11 square miles and is approximately 6.4 miles in length between Starvation Lake and -its junction with Rocky Creek (Figure U). The mouth of Rocky Creek has been channelized through the extensive tidal marsh system on the northeastern fringe of Uld Tampa Bay. Spoil material from channelization is placed on adjacent marsh areas. The meandering lower segment travels through intensive residential development and finger fill construction. The lower segment is connected to two drainways; Channel "G" travels eastward to Sweetwater Creek, and Channel "A". The floodplaift north of Channel "A" maintains a meandering alignment with a forested canopy. Through this middle segmen@ the land use is predominately residential and agricultural. The upper segment, north of the Brushy Creek confluence, is dominated by agricultural pasture land with numerous cypress swamps and other freshwater marsh systems being drained by artificial means. The lower segment of Brushy Creek retains a forested floodplain surrounded by agricultural usage. The upper segment is encroached upon by channelization associated with residential development. The headwaters drain several lakes containing a cypress fringe. The average annual flow 5.8 miles upstream of Rocky Creek's mouth is 35 cfs and ranges from 2,840 cfs to no flow (USGS, 1982). In the upper watershed the lake levels have been lowered in the past 20 years because of pumpage from several wellfields to the north (Schomer et al. 1984). River Oaks municipal wastewater treatment plant currently is permitted to discharge 4.6 KGD of treated effluent at the confluence of Rocky Creek and Channel "X". because of increasing developmental pressures in this area, the treatment plant is currently being expanded in capacity to 12 MGD. The condition of Rocky and Brushy Creeks have deteriorated due to rapid urbanization of the area. The mouth of Rocky Creek is channelized through the natural tidal. marsh, preventing intrinsic assimilation of pollutants under existing conditions. Rocky Creek is characterized as a stressed tidal tributary to Old Tampa Bay. 1.20 Dick Creek Dick Greek is located between Rocky Creek and Channel "A" and drains southward into Uld Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County (Figure 33). Dick Creek shares partial channel alignment with Rocky Creek through the marsh and is approximately 1.6 miles in length. The lower half of Dick Creek meanders through the extensive tidal marsh in the Bower Tract. In areas where Dick and Rocky Creeks share the same creek path, the alignment is channelized for flood prevention. The upper segment is encroached upon and channelized for residential development. Dick Creek 39 77@ 0 Figure 32. P. d Rocky Creek and 71 17 Brushy Creek rKl\ r t t 0 C Source: 7.5 minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey 0 - Department of the Interior .44 A -3@ cz, 0 CN L 4P Millsborouqh County -T - :A1 *U.v9V N County A Gulf of Mxino T ri 4 ftnatee county Ar) Figure 33. Hillsbw"h C@ty Dick Creek old Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles couaty U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior -Y V--@4,@ i L (Ulf of VAxim % C@ty j W, it 7@1 1% A e,@ 35 it@ .1k eky "40 DEPV. -1 dy 132-37 3 T 2 .00, 8 33_ T-8 S T29 5 &Y. .,4@ @kr Y@ .97 t @t k-E@,L@ Z7 2 If BOUND&A - SCALE 1,240W 1 M-LE J 1 10.00 0 1000 2000 Ka 4-Y.V 11) LI) 5000 OW FEET C @40METER k 41 is categorized as a restorable tidal tributary when considering the natural mouth and partially urbanized drainage area. 1.21 Woods Creek Located in Hillsborough County between Rocky Creek and Sweetwater Creek is Woods Creek (Figure 34). Woods Creek is approximately 1.6 miles in length and flows south into Old Tampa Bay north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The entire length of Woods Creek has been channelized for either residential development or drainage. On the west side of the creek mouth is a tidal marsh system with open areas at higher elevations to the north. The east side of Woods Creek contains extensive residential development created by dredge and fill construction of finger fills. The upper segment of the creek drains an industrial park area with small areas retaining a wooded overstory. The extensive channelization and development of Woods Creek characterize the creek as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.22 Peppermound Creek Located between Woods Creek and Sweetwater Creek in Hillsborough County is Peppermound Creek (Figure 35). The creek flows toward the south approximately 1.6 miles into Old Tampa Bay, north of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The mouth of Peppermound Creek is located within a tidal marsh., The tidal marsh retains the natural channel alignment even with urban development surrounding the area. The northern half of Peppermound Creek is dominated by intensive residential development. This segment of the creek has been channelized to minimize flooding of the residential area. The southern (tidal) section of Peppermound Creek maintains a natural configuration. The segment within the residential areas potentially can be improved by better stormwater management practices to prevent water quality degradation within the tidally influenced portion. Considering these conditions, Peppermound Creek is categorized as a restorable tidal tributary. 1.23 Sweetwater Creek Sweetwater Creek enters Old Tampa Bay just north of Rocky Point in Hillsborough County (Figure 36). The creek flows in the southwest direction approximately 10.4 miles to Old Tampa Bay. Sweetwater Creek drops an average of 10 ft/mi in the middle reaches and one ft/mi near the creek-s mouth (Schomer et al. 1984). The creek drains about 25 square miles and the basin consists primarily of urban uses (85 percent), with single family residential accounting for 61 percent of the land use (ESE, 1977). The mouth of Sweetwater Creek was impacted by dredge and fill activities to create upland residential development in the early 1970's. A remnant marsh exists on the western side of the channelized mouth of the creek. Sweetwater Creek meanders through predominantly residential/commercial use 42 Figure 34. Woods Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior SCALE 124000 1 MILE 1000 2000 M,00 40M 51M 61M ?(X0 FEET SCM17 - I KILOMETEP 44,0 .ITRUS PARK) '47 R17 ER 18 F 19 -7 2 k 4 W. A 4-jr. B 7 777 BOUND@r, .4%; - 4.1 Mw 6-4- r7 w 6c 13@ '447, @Rocky Point C A I Figure 35. blillaborouqh Co,,,,,,,,y Old "? I Peppermound Creek C0.0ty cult 09 ft"t" ommty Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 13 -4A2- -;W 2 d w 9, I W. -"s _0 7 A -42-1 % :A SCA'@E L24000 -ILE @13- tacc !xc "EE' 2xc low, O)c 'NoCky Poinit C 44 r Figure 36. Y Z#1 Sweetwater Creek tA M kj AY Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles ib' U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior ;V.: % .0 IL .@ ih Y. .-.:, --T @7 3P 7- L r. 77 HL U.1 to Tri. jiffr- r 5 7 z T I is Wt _4; 12 _2 4 to ttl -7 13. .4 45 with small agricultural plots north to Channel "G". Channel "G" is a flood control channel between Sweetwater and Rocky Creeks. A cleared buffer area exists adjacent to Channel "G" with surrounding residential development. The southern branch travels through mixed developments consisting of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural usage. Scattered freshwater marshes exist along the alignment. The headwaters of the southern branch contain cypress systems and agricultural (grove) areas. The basin of the northeast branch contains areas of industrial development, borrow pits, agricultural plots, and moderate density residential areas. The upper segment contains numerous cypress domes that have been encroached upon by residential units. The stream alignment is channelized between cypress and marsh systems to promote control of floodwaters. Water quality data from upper Sweetwater Creek indicates poor conditions, as dissolved oxygen (DO) averages less than 3.0 mg/1 and BOD-5 averages 6.0 mg/l (USACE, 1977). The drainage system receives heated or seurage effluent from eleven municipal or industrial facilities (Schomer et al. 1.984). In the tidal portion of the creek DO, BOD-5, and nutrient concentrations indicate seriously degraded conditions (ESE, 1977). Throughout the creek fecal coliform counts are the highest reported in Hillsborough County. In 1981, eight percent of the samples showed a fecal coliform/fecal streptococcus ratio in excess of 4.0, suggesting human waste Contamination. The Sweetwater Creek drainage area is dominated by urban development and associated water quality problems. In addition, the lower (tidal) segment has lost a majority of its natural condition to channelization and other dredging and filling activities. Consideration of these factors identifies Sweetwater Creek as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.24 Fish Creek Located within Hillsborough County and discharging into Old Tampa Bay south of the Courtney Campbell Causeway is Fish Creek (Figure 37). The creek is approximately 2.3 miles in length with the lower segment oriented in an east to west direction. The mouth of Fish Creek is surrounded by a tidal marsh system. However, the creek has been channelized placing spoil piles within marsh areas adjacent to the creek. The lower segment is used for drainage of the highway interchange of State Road 60, Eisenhower Boulevard, and Tampa Airport access roads. The majority of the middle and upper segments have been realigned to serve as drainage ditches for Tampa International Airport. The potential for restoration exists within Fish Creek. The drainage area for Tampa International Airport potentially can be restored to a meandering marsh and still provide retention and treatment for the airport runoff. The same restoration can be applied for Fish Creek along the roadway, alignments. Spoil mounds at the creek mouth can be lowered to the adjacent marsh elevation to increase potential marsh acreage and promote inundation of adjacent marsh systems. Therefore, Fish Creek is categorized as a restorable tidal tributary to Old Tampa Bay. 46 Figure 37. Fish Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior A., 5; W. ---------- :@![ALVA OM 7 AM t"q. j AC A 0. F A '10 cDoni Se I NT ER NATIONAL AIRDrRT 4 r @13r 6, -4- Tto e 4 V4. Roc@y Point C, .10 JtL! -IRL SCALE 1.24000 I mILE 100C 0 1 2000 Zoc 4@M 6000 1000 FErr r I MOmETER @AY 10. 71 @y 'ooo "F 60T 7@:K.L,:3mETER 47 1.25 Broad Creek and Coon Hammock Creek Broad and Coon Hammock Creeks are located on the extreme southern tip of the Interbay Peninsula within Hillsborough County. Broad Creek is the longest and travels 2.5 miles in a southward direction to Tampa Bay. Coon Hammock Creek is a branch of Broad Creek and travels one-half mile through a mangrove/tidal marsh system (Figure 38). The lower segment and mouth of Broad Creek meander through the extensive tidal marsh system south of MacDill Air Force Base. The middle and upper sections have been channelized and ditched to provide drainage for the Air Force-Base. Many dredged channels have side-cast spoil on adjacent tidally influenced marshes. The drainage ditches of MacDill Air Force Base potentially can be restored to natural conditions and continue to provide flood control. The natural conditions prevalent at the mouth of Broad Creek and surrounding Coon Hammock Creek characterize both as in restorable condition. 1.26 Delaney Creek Delaney Creek is located within Hillsborough County and flows toward the west into Hillsborough Bay (Figure 39). A detailed ecological assessment of Delaney Creek is included in the following section of this report. Delaney Creek is classified as a stressed tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. 1.27 Archie Creek Flowing into Hillsborough Bay just north of the Alafia River is Archie Creek. The creek travels approximately 4.9 miles toward the west into Hillsborough Bay (Figure 40). The mouth of Archie Creek is located within a moderate sized Juncus and Spartina tidal marsh. The lateral extent of the existing marsh is limited by a channelized drainage canal to the north, and the Gardinier, Inc. gypsum stack to the south. The creek maintains a meandering alignment: through the marsh to the Seaboard Coast railroad line. At this point the creek is rerouted around Gardinier's cooling ponds, and channelized in the upper reaches for agricultural drainage. The majority of the drainage area consists of agricultural usage. Areas of industrial development exist in the lower sections and residential development is encroaching upon the upper drainage area. Water quality within Archie Creek is affected by agricultural runoff, industrial discharges and the Progress Village municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent discharge. Improved management practices foc stormwater and effluent limitations potentially can improve water quality conditions. The tidally influenced portion maintains a healthy marsh community and categorizes Archie Creek as a restorable tidal tributary. 48 Figure 38. Broad Creek and Coon Hammock Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior W - L -7M A' 17f 1, t q 4N ........... S U -.Nf - A:C- D I 1P. F 0 R' E@O S L A4@Y , -/ A IC '2V 27 A I It W M. 4 4 ROHIBITED AR EA PROH 181 TED AREA SCALE 1:4000 Lx, Lcc 'CO) ;EE' ,)L.ght 49 Figure 39. Delaney Creek ft"a -.i-' Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior M Ax" Ul ---qmlp1 41- ja .C NAr B . ................ ............ . ... . ... A 0. 29 J) 'T!q: :@St A 3 r Tj a A r Al"', Org An I (Q@ -JwF i .351 35 1:. j :q) S L2 ------------- r Figure 40. Rillabom%wh county Archie Creek County T.". my ouit .9 ft-i- ft-t- cbunty Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior ler 77 = . . .. . ........... t7y 0 .(T?P 7@. .......... 12 a. A sm 3 f V 3 C@14 ............. SCALE t 24 Ow - - ----- lz N le 23 24 CaA V.@ 51 1.28 Bullfrog Creek and Little Bullfrog Creek Bullfrog Creek discharges into Rilisborough Bay about one mile south of the Alafia River in HilLsborough County (Figure 41). The drainage basin is about 40 square miles and the creek flows in a northwest direction approximately 17.5 miles to Hillsborough Bay. The mouth of Bullfrog Creek meanders through an extensive tidal marsh containing mangrove islands. Upstream of the marsh, the creek maintains the meandering alignment through low density residential areas, agricultural plots and tropical fish farms. The middle segment maintains a natural path with a wooded overstory. The creek is dominated by agriculture and open pasture on either side of the creek floodplain. The creek is dendritic with the majority of the branches traveling toward the east, the largest of which is Little Bullfrog Creek (Figure 41). Little Bullfrog Creek branches off about middle length of Bullfrog Creek. Little Bullfrog drains toward the west through agricultural (tomato fields) areas, open pastures, and forested areas. The upper segment is, connected to many freshwater marshes for agricultural drainage. Bullfrog Creek flows south from the Little Bullfrog Creek confluence and maintains a forested floodplain surrounded predominantly by tomato farms. The upper dendritic branches travel through intensive agricultural development and channelized through marsh systems to facilitate drainage. The small town of Wimauma lies within the drainage area near the extreme southern branch of Bullfrog Creek. The Bullfrog Creek channel ranges from 30 ft. to 195 ft. wide and 2 ft. to 6 ft. deep, narrowing upstream of US 41. Flow measured 8.5 miles upstream of the bay averages 35.4 cfs and ranges from 2,360 cfs to no flow (Mycyk et al. L983 in Schomer et al. 1984). Land use within the drainage area is prima@Tly agricultural (75 percent) with some residential single family development. Two privately-owned wastewater treatment plants discharge approximately 0.01 MGD of effluent into the creek (Priede-Sedgwick, Inc., 196U). Nutrient levels are moderate and occasional problems with instream sludge build-up, apparently from fish pond drainage, have caused increases in BUD and high levels of coliforms (ESE, 1977; HCEPC, 1982; Mycyk et al. 1983 in Schomer et al. 1984). The middle and upper reaches of Bullfrog Creek have experienced moderate habitat loss through piecemeal development (TBRPC, 1985). Water quality impacts appear to be associated primarily from non-point sources (agricultural) with some influence from point sources (fish ponds, treated effluent). However, the lower segment contains natural tidal marsh areas with some adjacent encroachment by development. With the opportunity for creek improvements through better management, Bullfrog Creek categorized as a restorable tidal tributary. 52 Figure 41. tv Bullfrog Creek and Little Bullfrog Creek Source: 1' 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior COO", :-44 ...... ....... .... . .. .... ... .... ........ % Is Is Is A @ 5, so,,I % to coso ty 1. R-Y wif of "llsicle, 53 1.29 Newman Branch Newman.Branch is a small tidal tributary entering Tampa Bay between Big Bend to the north and Apollo Beach to the south, in hillsborough County (Figure 42). The creek travels approximately 2.5 miles toward the northwest into middle Tampa Bay. ,rfte mouth of Newman Branch is channelized through a tidal marsh. The marsh is isolated from other natural systems by Tampa Electric Company's Big Bend facility and Apollo Beach dredge and fill developments. The Tampa Electric Company's Big Bend plant discharges thermal effluent cooling water near the mouth of Newman Branch. The lower segment retains a meandering alignment with adjacent tidal marsh to the trailer park (Figure 42). The trailer park is excavated from the creek channel and adjacent uplands to create a finger till development. The upper segment retains some remnant marsh systems while being channelized to provide drainage for Seaboard Coast Railroad and U.S. Highway 41. Development adjacent to Newman Branch is expected to accelerate in the future. Possible channel realignment and improved management practices potentially can improve the creek's status. Due to historical development and channelization, Newman branch is characterized as a stressed tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. 1.30 Wolf Branch Located between Apollo Beach and the Little Manatee River in Hillsborough County is Wolf Branch (Figure 43). The creek flows in a northeasterly direction for approximately 6.5 miles into middle Tampa Bay. The mouth of Wolf Branch meanders through an extensive tidal marsh containing mangrove islands and fringe. The lower segment travels through a marsh that is diked to prevent salt water intrusion into agricultural areas. The middle segment is channelized through agricultural (predominantly tomato farms) development and is channelized along the Seaboard, Coast Line Railroad. The upper section is dominated by agricultural use surrounding the forested floodplain of Wolf Branch. The headwaters of the creek drain several large freshwater wetlands. The natural conditions at the mouth of Wolf Branch are quickly displaced by ditching and other agricultural impacts upstream. Better stormwater runoff practices and reconditioning of channelized areas potentially can improve the creek system. Wolf Branch is categorized as a restorable tidal tributary. 1.31 Cockroach Creek Cockroach'Creek is located in the southwestern corner of Hillsborough County (Figure 44). The creek travels approximately 2.5 miles toward the northwest into Cockroach Bay. Cockroach Bay is an extensive mangrove embayment of Tampa Bay, and is classified as a Class I Aquatic Preserve. The lower @segment of the creek is diked to prevent flooding of adjacent agricultural areas. The middle and upper segments are dominated by agricultural and pasture lands with some single-family residential usage., 54 Figure 42. 0111.bo-wh C-ty old f@ V Newman Branch CO."T I T.W4 9.Y (Mir or P%.L". Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles ft-t" C@ty U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior N ;10 9 it-Rrk.. r a n r h % C z V. "2 Nnrt@ Ruski r 2 -0 P G.11 eo se st,-- SCALE2C,,Yj a 4Y@ ---XC -E- P, 55 Hillsborouqh 0ounty Figure 43. Wolf Branch Cou:ty T..P& By 041f of 1"Xico mnatee County Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 7, N 19 - - - - 29@ L @11, N % ; , I .) I ---- I 29 23-- 2;;; 2e, Z I ..................... .......... 33 35- 3.4 N I=-1 --1-71 d 0 Aw CAL. _CAL_ -ACOO Iva q 4-k 4.15, 10 J. Az- @4 M, VV t J Fill r 56 Figure 44. ...... N1118borouqh Coonty Cockroach Creek co"ty Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior T.." MY CMU of MXIM VA"t*e 00"tY Cob .21" 84 Cackrftch Pan 4- k2 F C amp PdW4 d"t It anon % COCKROACH ZMEMMU T 26- 27 ........... J11 @Al IL t. ...... 73 -TS 34N jx H11 OR UGI C2___ B E 7-7' itek C SCALE 124000 1= a 1.1w X= 'IV A= Sam 7000 w G 'Jol 14 5 4@ -%6 \_ f 57 The headwaters are ditched between wetlands to facilitate drainage of stormwater. The tidal portion of Cockroach Creek remains in relatively good condition with slight agricultural and residential impacts. Cockroach Creek is characterized as a natural tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. 1.32 Piney Point Creek Piney Point Creek flows into Tampa Bay at the extreme southwestern corner of Hilisborough County (Figure 45). The creek flows from the southeast direction from Manatee County for approximately 2.7 miles to Moody Point in Hillsborough County. The mouth of Piney Point Creek flows through an extensive tidal marsh into the bay. The marsh is limited by agricultural development on all upland sides by the use of dikes. The middle and upper sections travel through agricultural and improved pasture development. Some industrial. development is located in the middle segment and includes the Amax and Piney Point Inc. plants. The headwaters drain wetlands located within agricultural areas. The tidally influenced portions of Piney Point Creek remain in relatively pristine condition. The watershed contains some industrial activity but is dominated by agricultural practices. Piney Point Creek is classified as a natural tidal tributary. 1.33 Redfish and Little Redfish Creeks Located adjacent to the southern property line of Port Manatee in Manatee County are Redfish and Little Redfish Creek (Figure 46). Both creeks are located within extensive tidal marsh systems between Bishop Harbor and Port Manatee. During ship channel excavation for Port Manatee in 1969, the Hendry Corporation illegally filled 71 acres of the marsh. The mouth of Redfish Creek was buried in the process and portionsof Little Redfish Creek have silted in from the spoil material. Upland of the marsh system is the industrial development of Port: Manatee and Amax Phosphate's slime ponds and gypsum stack. Surrounding the industry, the drainage area also contains large groves and other agricultural uses. Redfish Creek is currently under private ownership. Restoration of the tidal portion would require transfer of ownership, reconnection of upland drainage areas with Tampa Bay, and lowering surrounding elevations for tidal marsh re-creation. The actual restoration of Redfish Creek appears bleak and it is currently classified as a stressed tidal tributary. Little Redfish Creek is categorized as a natural tidal tributary to Tampa Bay in The, Future. of Tampa Bay (TBRPC, 1984). Additional enhancement is possible to improve existing conditions by the removal of silt deposits in an effort to restore the habitat value. 58 Figure 45. Hill*borouqh county Piney Point Creek County T.-M 11-Y QLLE of VAXICO Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles Mitatee County U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior -28 SCALE 124000 t 1" 0 1 OW M YYM 41W Aclv ;:X@' OX F('ET 4 0 1 L- E'E* M@dy Poin e ........... ..... ............. J. -ot@;%g JN 4" 32 7, HIL OROUGI CO Ift-E C ins Strip. 5 4 !Lf A-@ Y P 7 7 7 jf 1Z 4 r if(- V, .1i 2 Im. :4 Moad,Point*:@ Q@_ Figure 46 14 ;I j-, Redfish and Little Redfish Creek 7-@ Y 'PAIr- palnV4 .......... Ali Rt Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles t _7 U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 6i@ 2 7 t R 4C ,_@Ah I!, 1-11A -4V 4w V_ A .(fAm V N.nh ... t Bishop Harbor .......... owl 7 do :P SCALE 1.24 000 6= 'ODD ICET ."O.ETE- 16 too. 7-, @6 60 1.34 Frog Creek and Cabbage Slough Frog Creek, with Cabbage Slough, enters Tampa Bay via Terra Ceia Bay in Manatee County (Figure 47). A detailed ecological assessment of Frog Creek is included in the following section of this report. Frog Creek with Cabbage Slough is classified as a natural tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. 1.35 McMullen Creek Flowing into Terra Ceia Bay south of Frog Creek in Manatee County is McMullen Creek (Figure 48). The creek travels approximately 3.8 miles from the headwaters, toward the west, to its mouth. A small, tidally influenced marsh exists at the mouth of McMullen Creek. The small town of Rubonia occupies the northern side of the mouth. The lower and middle segments have a wide channel with large adjacent marsh systems* The upper section is dominated by agricultural development and wetland drainage. The lack of encroachment into the floodplain of the creek categorizes McMullen Creek as a natural tidal tributary. 1.36 Wares Creek Located within Manatee County, Wares Creek connects Palma Sola Bay and the Manatee River. Wares Creek travels approximately 9.4 miles between the two larger bodies of water (Figure 49). At the northern end, Wares Creek intersects the Manatee River in downtown Bradenton. The north-south alignment of the creek (Figure 49) is dominated by the Bradenton urban environment consisting of residential and commercial usage with some areas of industrial development. Wares Creek is channelized over the majority of its length and serves as an urban drainage system. The east-west alignment travels through some open areas (agricultural, open pastures) but is dominated by residential urban development. The mouth of Wares Creek into Palma Sola Bay is surrounded and has been hardened for residential lots. Wares Creek is considered a stressed tidal tributary. 1.37 Palma Sola Creek Palma Sola Creek parallels Sarasota Bay and outfalls into Palma Sola Bay in Manatee County (Figure 50). The creek is poorly defined and flows from near Sarasota Bay northwestward for approximately 4.1 miles to Palma Sola Bay. The mouth of the creek contains some forested wetlands and maintains its natural alignment to the vicinity of a trailer park (Figure 50). The creek is rerouted around the trailer park and between residential development. The remainder of the drainage area is dominated by agricultural usage surrounding the elongated marsh system that makes up Palma Sola Creek. A large borrow area exists within the marsh. The creek loses its definition 61 Figure 47. Frog Creek and Cabbage Slough Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior J C_ 7 V; V 14, ...... ...... ............. ... .2 -Sir S;.#,... a. M rv -_2r r 23 4r, L 4", 01 26 :27 77-- DI J 0 Pw i. V' SME 124@@' Figure 48. Hillsborough County ow .1 McMullen Creek County iw- TAMPA A.Y (kllf ot [email protected]= Haftat" county Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior Zvi. Z., + .47@ 74 R nis -77 S7 -1- 7- -30 "T @M 1 . ..... BU F.1 U, -4 Ic ... . . ...... ;palm ,n PkLit.. I.. E ...... VIEW ROAD IL V + p /,V e 32-- + 1W\ @..: -- - --------- Sky.4k I orno'i t MS SCALE 124000 1 MILE 1000 0 100@ 2000 4 4N ?1JU ODO 5000 6000 7000 FEV, 0 I KtLOM@@77ER OLs 0119 30 63 Figure 49. Wares Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 'P BRADENTON BEACH OUADRANG FLORIOA 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOCRAPHIC) BRADEDiTON . . ..... .... 14. -4-H -M A -1 ny A 14 LU ',Pi.ADF6 .A t 6' SCALE 124000 n K t 10 dq f \-A, !q 0 won% L 64 Figure 50. Palma Sola Creek Source: 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior o-'L 4MI-0- it e 4r 6 5 it 3 V j ; AlE A 'ol w 17 1-ALY..ps A !q 06; 18 SCALE 1:24000 0 1 "ILE 16 moo 3000 -MV MW WX 7M PUT 0 ILO.UE4 1-T Nit I 10' 20 A 7 65 within the marsh system and the headwaters drain a golf course, residential development and agricultural parcels. The Creek has retained the majority of the extensive marsh system in the drainage basin. The tidal portion suffers only low development pressure. Therefore, Palma Sola Creek is categorized as a natural tidal tributary. 1.38 Bowles Creek Bowles Creek flows into Sarasota Bay just north of the southern county line in Manatee County (Figure 51). The creek flows in a southwestern direction approximately 4.1 miles in length to Sarasota Bay. The lower segment and mouth of Bowles Creek is hardened and channelized for residential development. The upper two-thirds receives mixed usage of urban development including residential, industrial and agricultural areas. Considering its urbanized nature, Bowles Creek is classified as a stressed tidal tributary. 1.39 Classification Summary: Historically, the tidal tributaries to Tampa Bay were immensely productive systems, importing freshwater and food sources to estuaries and providing critical habitat, protective cover, feeding and breeding grounds for the early developmental stages of marine and estuarine life forms. Man's presence in the Tampa Bay Region has encroached upon many of the creek systems, while retaining the natural character of others. Table I identifies the length, land use and condition of each tidal tributary reviewed in this report. Table 2 represents the breakdown of classified creek conditions for each of the three counties surrounding Tampa Bay. County Classification Summary Table 2 County Stressed Restorable Natural Other Total Pinellas 13 2 3 0 18 Hillsborough 5 8 3 3 19 Manatee 2 1 3 1 7 Total 20 11 9 4 44 Over one half of the stressed tidal tributaries identified occurs within Pinellas County. This observation is partially due to the intensive development that has previously occurred and partially due to the County being surrounded on three sides by marine and estuarine waters, allowing creek flow in three directions. There are two and three restorable and natural tidal tributaries in Pinellas County, respectively. Figure 52 identifies the Developments of Regional Impact (DRE's) that are currently in various stages of review by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) in Pinellas County. The localized development is centered around: 66 0 f A 6 0. b- Hillsbovouqh county iL zz 4XL--- county "till - IT J. Tamp& 54Y G14 Kiullatoe county 4jl@4 A@C 7. TQ E4!0 .6...4: Figure 51. An L 18 Bowles Creek ;'J. A-. A Sources 7.5 Minute Quadrangles U.S. Geological Survey 15 Department of the Interior W V. @t ...... ....... 14 -z . ........... f.. 7M, V .5 23 'NIT 0. 4 ........... ....... q., 10 WhI '-Auk W Is &A 7 7@ WILV SCALE 1.24000 B A Y o low 7=00G 'EU o I ftl) EoR=EB5z=3F.z- 77777---.- 67 TIDAL CREEK SUMMARY Table 1. Approx. Length Creek/County (Miles) Land Use Condition Pinellas County 1. Curlew Creek 4 Res. Stressed 2. Jerry Branch 2.4 Res. Stressed 3. Stevenson Creek 4 Res./Ind. Stressed 4. McKay Creek 4.7 Res. Stressed 5. Church Creek 1.6 Low Res. Stressed 6. Joe's Creek 2.0 Res./Ind. Stressed 7. St. Joe's Creek 6.6 Res./Ind. Stressed 8. Bear Creek 2.7 Res. Stressed 9. Salt Creek 1.5 Res. Stressed 10. Booker Creek 1.9 Comm./Ind./Res. Stressed 11. Tinney Creek 2.7 Res./Cormn. Stressed 12. Grassy Creek 0.8 Open Space/Comm. Natural 13. Long Branch Creek 3.4 Res./Comm. Restorable 14. Allen. Creek 6.0 Res./Comm. Stressed 15. Alligator Creek 4.4 Res./Agr. Stressed 16. Mullet Creek 2.3 Res./Comm. Restorable 17. Bishop Creek 1.8 Res. Natural 18. Moccasin Creek 1.5 Res./Agr. Natural Hillsborough County 19. Double Branch Creek 6.8 Agr. Natural 20. Channel A-- 4.1 Res./Agr. Man-made 21. Rocky Creek 10.9 Res./Agr. Stressed 22. Brushy Creek 6.4 Res./Agr. Non-tidal 23. Dick Creek 1.6 Res./Open Restorable 24. Woods Creek 1.6 Res./Ind. Stressed 25. Peppermound Creek 1.6 Res. Restorable 26. Sweetwater Creek 10.4 Res./Agr. Stressed 27. Fish Creek 2.3 Comm. Restorable 28. Coon Hammock Creek 0.5 Open Space Restorable 29. Broad Creek 2.5 Comm. Restorable 30. Delany Creek 10.8 Ind./Agr. Stressed 31. Archie Creek 4.9 Ind./Res. Restorable 32. Bullfrog Creek 17.5 Agr. Restorable 33. Little Bullfrog Creek 6.0 Agr. Non-Tidal 34. Newman Branch 2.5 Ind./Res. Stressed 35. Wolf Branch 6.5 Agr. Restorable 36. Cockroach Creek 2.5 Agr./Res. Natural 37. Piney Point Creek 2.7 Agr./Ind. Natural Manatee County 38. Little Redfish Creek 0.5 Open/Ind. Restorable 39. Frog Creek 11.5 Open/Agr. Natural 40. Cabbage Slough 3.9 Agr. Non-tidal 41. McMullen Creek 3.8 Res./Agr. Natural 42. Wares Creek 9.4 Res./Comm./Ind. Stressed 43. Palma Sola Creek 4.1 Res./Agr. Natural 44. Bowles Creek 4.1 Res./ind./Ag.r. Stressed NOTE: Res.=Residential, Comm.=Commercial., Ind.=Industrial, Agr.=Agricultural 68 j1 ALT 19 '(7 L V, 3 3 Highland Lakes 12 Gateway Mall 14 Pinellas Square Mall 18 East Lake Woodland$ 20 Ramblewood 24 Lake Tarpon Village 36 Boot Ranch ell, 37 Carriage Hill Mall 58 USF, Bayboro Campus Expansion 92 Meto (Park Place) 96 Pioneer Center Corp. Office Park 13 97 St. Petersburg (niown L 99 Harbour Watch/Riverside Landing 19 100 St, Petersburg Intown Stadium 107 Tampa Bay Park Commerce III Forest Lakes Phase 11 & 111 0 121 The Carillon 123 Bay Area Outlet Mall 132 Gateway Centre 134 Harborage at Bayboro 135 Cypress Lakes 136 Central Plaza 92 60 137 Marina Del Sol 143 Feather Sound Commerce Center 619 19 9. 275, 3 IIA 37 92 6%9 132 14 27 12 19 ALT 19 Figure 52. 9.7 138' Pinellas County Developments of Regional Impact LEGEND Residential ------------------- Shopping Centers ----------- L-7 Office Parks ----------------- 137 Schools --------------------- 19 Oil Facilities ---------------- -N- Phosphate Mining ---------- Transmission Line-__-EMM industrial Park -------------- 9= Recreation---------- _=1111 Airport Complex -------------- tt N , m, I e 5 t scale - downtown St. Petersburg redevelopment - remaining undeveloped parcels in the central county area - large open agricultural tracts in northern Pinellas County. Due to past development activities, few open expanses of land -are available in Pinellas County for continued long-term development. Hillsborough County contains a total of nineteen minor tidal tributaries identified in this reports The majority of the tributaries remain in restorable (eight) or natural (three) condition. Extensive agricultural areas remain in the county and urban expansion is expected to continue. Figure 53 portrays the DRI's currently under review by TBRPC in Hillsborough County. Centers for development are located in the following areas: - downtown Tampa and adjacent fringe areas - Interstate 75 corridor - phosphate mining. In general the trend within Hillsborough County is the conversion of agricultural lands to other forms of development. One-half of the surveyed tidal creeks in Manatee County are classified as natural in condition. Two creek systems are considered stressed with one in restorable condition. Within the county the urban areas are located in the western half with agricultural and mining areas in the eastern portion. Figure 54 illustrates the DRI's currently being reviewed by TBRPC in Manatee County. The current trends in development in Manatee County include: - scattered coastal developments - Interstate 75 corridor - phosphate mining development. Urban areas are centrally located around Palmetto, Bradenton, Sarasota and the Gulf Beaches. Continued development is expected to occur in the undeveloped portions of the county. In general, the majority of the tidal tributaries surveyed remain in natural or restorable condition. The tidal tributaries to the Tampa Bay estuary add to the quality of life the residents of the Tampa Bay Region have grown to appreciate. With the population growth expected to occur within the area, it is essential that management considerations protect the value of tidal creek systems to promote the quality of life in our region. 70 Figure 53. PASCO COUNTY ------------------------ ............ . ........ ........................... ID 0 UZ) 73 3 z Z; :z 01 0 U 17 55 116 4 1 4 J 1/05 4 142 z z 4 9144 0 1 12 106 14 290 7 151 ------ 0 1. 2 148 140 0 z U 120 6 3 1 50 i Elf". C? 128 -N- C2 52 ----- ................. ------- MAWNA E OUwf;. miles Hillsborough County 1 72 B-m 311- E.P-11- B,@ S-- ol St-qe ra,k ;63 9'9 811, ::11 Developments of -"g. 7a Coll'al US- 01111 M-4111 "l4l '15 23 A,r- ft.w- T.-- I!,[) ..A, .. ... 1. MI". 118 GTE 320 Regional Impact 28 E.1,. 1... .0 82 r:'@:: T--Is. W T C LEGEND Z' P-' Resit;iential. ----------- Shopping Co'n'te ... 0 ......... d7 N. Ur... C-". 13, -.,.n,, 50 8-- B.g @ ... .... M F @. F-.-i C.-I Office Park....." -------- 52 @- C.-I. .... 89 87- T.- C-1 :3'1 T- Schools ---------------------- 17= 53 E&St Soa-d Pot,-,, St-ge F@Ildv 43 Flo(ld. C-Ale [;W@ "0 T_' Oil Facilities. --------------- 55 USF M- S--g F-Illy ',-Sonwe I., ..... phosphate Mining - ----- - 59 S.- C_ M." Slo I., 'p- Tronsmission Lin*.' - AS= rIA A-., E.-,- 'A S -i '. , =.I.- PI-I - lndUStfi*l "M 146 Pal-:"o '05 S-10-1 Recreation--- M C.- - -- s Gr- @O Airport Comwi;i ----------- 65 1-.. P-s ---------- 68 5.10-1 C-11.1 III- E-S- Too H'aw R.- @18 30 L.-dilll Areewide ------- ........ 69 ISO- I-.. log I.,... '19 ---19 G 10 Ta.., .10 a.... Figure 54. BOROUGH --------- COUNTY 27 _j 52 @19 OIA 62 62 15% 42 64 64 44 _J20 _N_ 41 6 L 101 1144 124 L_"_a==j m i I e s SARASOTA --- - ------ scale 13 Fuels Processing Facilities 27 Petroleum Storage Facility Manatee County 42 Beker Mine " Harbor Ventures Developments of 45 SpoonbillBay Regional Impact 49 Phillips Phosphate Mine 70 52 Four Corners Mine LEGEND 54 Keentown-Whidden Transmission Line 61 Duette Mine Residential ------------------- 66 Tara Shopping Centers ----------- 95 Beker-Wingate Creek Mine SID Off ice Parks ---------------- 101 Arvida SCIII-0112 --------------------- 102 Creekwood Oil Facilities ---------------- 103 Cooper Creek 124 Sarasota Bradenton Airport Expan. Phosphate Mining ---------- 130 Cypress Banks Transmission Line ---------- EM 138 General Aviation Airport b" Industrial Park -------------- 9W 154 Arvida Recreation ------------------ Airport Complex -------------- 2.0 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED 41NOR TRIBUTARIES Allen Creek in Pinellas County, Delaney Creek in Hillsborough County, and Frog Creek in Manatee County were studied with respect to hydrographic features, biology and chemistry, and physical and chemical alterations. Allen Creek represented a minor tributary through a largely urbanized area with the major land use being residential and commercial. Delaney Creek represented a system through an industrialized, urban, and agricultural area with rapid urbanization taking place. Frog Creek represented a system through an agricultural-rural watershed with little alteration in the estuarine portion of the creek. This section presents the data collected through limited studies of each of the three creeks and acquired from contract services with Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. Due to the limited scope of the project, descriptions of the three creeks from the hydrographic, biologic and chemical perspectives cannot be considered comprehensive but rather as a 11snap shot" identification of existing conditions. Understanding the existing conditions in the tidal segments will facilitate the development of management and/or restoration programs for each tributary. 73 2.1 Allen Greek 2.1.1 Hydrographic Features The Allen Creek watershed and general land use are depicted in Figure 55. The watershed basin comprises an area of approximately 5,281 acres in the City of Clearwater, Florida. The watershed can be divided into ten sub-basins by topography, creek branches and drainage canals. The sub-basins range in size from 162.1 acres to 1,563.8 acres (Table 3). The dominant land ase in the immediate area of Allen Creek is residential with nearly the entire basin having been urbanized and built up. A few small areas are still used for agriculture (citrus groves), and can be expected to become urbanized in the future. Allen Creek is a first order stream as defined by the Florida 'Land Use Cover Classification System (FLUCCS, 1977). It flows into Largo Inlet (3rd order bay) which is on the western side of lower Old Tampa Bay (2nd order bay). At the time of the field sampling program on April 15, 1986, the measurement of freshwater discharge and flow rates was not practical. It was not possible to penetrate to an upstream freshwater segment with any appreciable flow. A drainage canal entered north of Bellair Road (Station 1F), but salinity remained brackish (see following discussion) with no appreciable outflow existing. The average monthly discharges of surface water based on 1981-1982 rainfall data are listed in Table 4. The Allen Creek drainage basin was determined to be roughly half the size of the Frog Creek and Delaney Creek basins, but had calculated discharges two to three times higher than either Frog or Uelaney Creek. Calculated monthly discharges ranged from 92.8 acre-feet to 9U9.8 acre-feet. The saltwater influence extended the entire study length of Allen Creek (Table 5, Figure 56). On the day of tidal prism measurements the tide was diurnal, with low tide occurring at approximately 0220 hrs. and high tide at approximately 1620 hrs. (N.O.A.A., 1985), which resulted in a flood tide during the study period. Salinity concentrations of Allen Creek during the study period ranged from 24.48 ppt at the bottom of the water column at station 1, (located at the creek mouth) to 15.12 ppt at station 1F (located in a drainage canal north of Bellair Road). The salinity level remained relatively high throughout Allen Creek and was still at a value of 19.30 ppt at station SB2 west of Belcher Road. Existing vegetation communities also indicated little freshwater influence in Allen Creek as mangroves extended up to Belcher Road and Juncus marsh predominated west of Belcher Road. The City of Clearwater maintains a sampling station on Allen Creek at Nursery Road. Conductivity measurements taken at the station indicate freshwater conditions year-round. Apparently the saltwater/ f res hwater interface in Allen Creek.is located north of Bellair Road where Allen Creek essentially serves as an urban drainage ditch. Channel profiles and sediment types are depicted in Figure 57. Channel profiling was conducted on a flood tide. At the time of profiling transect No. 1, the tide appeared to have approximately an additional ten inches to rise as estimated from the waterline on the bulkhead. Transects No. 2-5 74 100 U.S. 60 G 1100 /.too- 100 OLD TAMPA SAY 'too LARGO INLET 2 X, aELLA(A Ln i too 200 7 too 622 Sao 0 too N ci too 500 22 200 Soo 22 100 100 SOO- 642 400 cc 200 251 622/642 z 2 642 100' 100 lool 100 100 too Soo LEGEND: BASIN BOUNDARY SUBBASIN BOUNDARIES "ool SUBBASIN NUMBER EAST BAY DR- 1 100 URBAN OR BUILTUP 200 AGRICULTU RE OLD TAMPA SAY LARGO INLET '00 2- _ 6 z 400 FORESTED UPLANDS Soo WATER Fiqure 55. 622 MANGROVES ALLEN CREEK WATERSHED BASIN BOUNDARIES AND GENERAL LAND USE 0 @@@O 6412 FRESHWATER MARSN SOURCE: ESE. 1986. 64 JUNCUS MARSH FEET Table .3. Allen Creek Drainage Basin and Subbasin Area Subbasin No. Acres 1 775.0 2 522.0 3 1,563.8 4 391.2 5 164.8 6 460.5 7 270.0 8 573.5 9 162.1 10 398.1 5,281.0 Source: ESE, 1986 76 @able 4. Average Monthly Surface Water Discharge (Acre-Feet) of Creek Basins Into Creeks MONTHLY DISCHARGE (ACRE-FEET)OF CREEK BASINS INTO CREEKS MONTH ALLEN CREEK FROG CREEK DELANEY CREEK Dec. 1981 133.3 52.4 26.9 Jan. 1982 170.4 40.4 17.6 Feb. 226.9 149.1 93.9 March 352.2 170.2 98.3 April 92.8 16.2 5.3 May 102.7 15.3 4.8 June 715.2 451.5 288.0 July 909.8 836.6 588.7 Aug. 589.7 345.4 219.6 Sept. 721.7 364.5 137.8 Oct. 185.2 66.8 111.1 Nov. 251.5 178.5 115.2 Source: ESE, 1986 77 Table 5. TAMPA BAY ACGIONAL PLANNING CCAJNCIL IN SITU WATER OUALITY PARAMETERS CREEA DATE TIME STATION DkPTH DO COND SAL TEMP PH TURD SECCH' FT. PPM mm4HOSPPT C NTU FT ALLEN iz-Aar-.86 10s45 1 0 7.60 34. 66 e2. 114-90 6.11 4.9 4.25 ALLEN 13-Aor-86 10843 1 4.5 7.20 36.26 e-k. 41 23.84 7.412 5.5 ALLEN 13-Acr-86 i0s45 1 9 6.55 36.3L 2.4.46 Z3.38 7.96 6.9 ALLEN 13-Aor-66 12155 21 o io.4o es.06 17. 52 26.3e 8.14 5. 1- 2.00 Am-LEN 13-Aar-86 12155 e 2.5 Lo.00 38.02 20. 36 1%. 10 7.63 10.0 Q%-LEN 13-Aar-86 12153 2 5 7.20 33.72 91.46 26.36 7.62 14.0 ALLEN 13-Aar-86 11830 la 0 35.06 &2.44 26.00 ALLEN 13-Aaw-86 11630 IA 4 33.76 It 3. 88 84-76 ALLEN 13-Aar-" lls30 la a 36.011 P-3. 70 24. " ALLEN 13-Aor-66 Ils45 is 0 35.60 st. 44 a& 00 ALLEN I 3--Aq " 11&43 Is 3 33.69 22.46 25-124 ALLEN 13-Aar-66 IIS43 is 6 33.60 U.74 M " I ALLEN 13-Aar-86 12100 Ic 0 36.06 23.04 25.51 ALLEN is-aar-64 legoo ic 1 35.99 Bit. " 25.24 ALLEN LS--aar-" MOO ic 2.3 33.90 aa.60 25. " ALLEN 13-Aar-86 12113 ID 0 3e. " 80.04 27.1,4 AL.LEN 15--Aor-86 l2tI3 ID 3 34.30 21.90 23.52 A@LEN 13-Aar-66 l2s30 IS 0 ". " 14.60 26. 7Z A@LEH 13-Aor-06 12s30 LE 3 30.30 16.74 26.76 ALLEN 13-Aar-" t2s35 IF 1.5 9.60 24.96 15. 12 26. 32 7.78 3.5 1.50 A@LEN 13-Aor-66 14300 Sol 0 36.60 92.61 27.00 CALLEN 15-Aar-efi 14100 Sol 13 36.54 22.3Z 27.41 CALLEN ls-Aor-416 14&40 saa 0 27.12 16.32 27.84 ALLEN 15-Aar-" l4s4O saa 13 30.40 19.30 25.79 FROG 23-Aar-86 O8g2O 5 a. a 4.5o 20.60 14.31 19.62 6.95 9.5 2.20 FROG 23-Aor-86 09825 5A 1.75 9.16 5.90 20.414 FROG 23-Poe-06 13113 5A 3 6.30 11.84 23-92 FROG 23-Aar-86 10403 so 1 17.18 19. 11 19.58 FROG 23-Aer-46 10&40 sc I 4.ao zi. o4 z2.zi FROG 23--Aor-" l4130 5C a 11.14 46. 5a 26.52 FROG 23-Aor-" 10450 30 3. 1 3.70 1!. 32 22.44 FROG 23-Aor-66 14113 so 1.25 5.2a 3.24 25.50 FROG 23-Por-86 lIgZ3 5E 2.4 6.80 1.6a 0.96 22.56 FaOG 23-AGW-" 11850 6 4 8.60 1.20 0-8Z 2e.54 7.92 4.0* DCLANEY 17-Ap" 07620 3 2 6.30 36.64 246.24 22.95 7.92 3.a 2.00 DELANEY 17-Aae-86 oasso 3A 2 19.72 111-36 20-30 DELANEY 0-Apr-ara oasite 39 1.3 27.02 111.02 22.61 DELANEY 17-apr-66 l4s20 39 4.8 39. " 25.64 25.68 DELANEY 17-Aar-66 oat5o 3C 2 17.40 11.60 21. e6 D&LANCY 17-Agr-" 09814 30 1.49 8.00 5.21 CO.78 DELANEY 17-Aa 09s30 4 2.3 5.00 3.24 .11.16 19.67 6.24 9.4 2.30 DELANE@ 17-Aar-66 13113 4 2.8 9.32 5. 91 24.02 DEL.AHEY 17--opr-" 10100 L.6 8.4a 1.56 21.84 DELANEY 27-Ap@" l2s00 4A J.74 DELANEY 17-A@--" 10.30 49 0.5 7.30 0.89 0.76 21.84 source: ESE, 1986 78 At- Ipone b...! or Plumb -4' Sch 14 2 0 q It . ku J, @A' A6 nzc It. 4 i f2 Y, -71 -1 CLEAF WATER LJ. NO. 2 1 F 1E p tL@-" kr i 10 Z 54' 1j: 1A 1B 7 IS .7 GoiF a ourw z SB2 -2,9 25- SBJ y V/ n N. 25 TR-2 N.' ICU -A I% Um -j@' Ch ge a Figure 56. 1.6 ALLEN CREEK, PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA TAM SAMPLING STATIONS AND CHANNEL PROFILE LOCATIONS; APRIL 15, 1986 PL URCE: ESE, 1986. TRANSECT NO. 1 1315 1'= 10, FS m m m FS 1500 TRANSECT NO. 2 1'= 20' W E OP FS FS FS OP 1525 TRANSECT NO. 3 I"= 20' N S SHS m m FS SHS 1545 TRANSECT NO. 4 I"= 20' N @s FS FS FS FS OP 1610 TRANSECT NO. 5 V= 30' N S SHS m m m SHS QUALITATIVE SEDIMENT DESCRIPTION C Clay FS Nedium to fine sand with little silt FS/Oy Fine sand with oysters M Muck; no sand, black ooze XIFS Mucky fine sand OP Organic-peatlike RR Rip-rap SHS Shelly sand SSC Silty sand with some clay Figure 57. CHANNEL PROFILES, ALLEN CREEK9 TAMPA BAY REGIONAL APRIL 15, 1986 PLANNING COUNCIL Table 6. TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL QUALITATIVE SEDIMENT DESCRIPTIONS ALLEN CREEK 4/15/86 TRANSECT NO. i JUST NORTH OF BELLAIR ROAD W-->E, 1315, WIDTH - 55' 0(0')------- SILTY, MEDIUM - FINE SAND 1/4(4.5') --- H2S, MUCK OVER SAND 1/2 (4. 75' ) --HES, MUCK 3/4 (4. 5' ) ---H2S, OVER SAND 4/4(1') ---- SILTY, MEDIUM FINE SAND TRANSECT NO. 2 SOUTH BRANCH. JUNCUS MARSH W-->E, 1500, WIDTH = 130' 0(0') ------ ORGANIC PEATLIKE 1/4(2.5')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND,RELTIVELY CLEAN 1/2(3.5')--SILTY, ORGANIC, MEDIUM-FINE SAND 3/4(3.3')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 4/4(0')----ORGANIC PEATLIKE, ROOTS TRANSECT NO. 3 SOUTH BRANCH, JUST WEST OF BELCHER S-) N, 1525, WIDTH - 125' 0(3') ---- SHELLY SAND 1/4(6')--SILTY, MEDIUM-FINE SAND 1/2(10')-H2S,MUCK OVER SILTY,MEDIUM-FINE SAND 3/4(10')-H2S,MUCK 4/4(4')--SHELLY,SILTY,MEDIUM-FINE SAND TRANSECT NO. 4 MAIN STEM, FROM JUNCUS MARSH TO BULKHEAD S-> N, 1545, WIDTH - 120' 0(0') ---- ORGANIC,PEATLIKE,ROOTS,SILTY SAND 1/4(6')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 1/2(4')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 3/4(3')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 4/4(3')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN TRANSECT NO. 5 MOUTH OF CREEK S-->N, 1610, WIDTH - 200' 0(0') ---- HARD BOTTOM, SHELLY SAND ? 1/4(9')--H2S, MUCK, CLAY MUCK 3 / 4 (9') --H2S, MUCK 4/4(0')--SHELLY-COARSE SAND Source: ESE, 1986 81 were conducted near the high tide level. Bottom depths were measured from the waters edge at the time of profiling. The channel profiles indicate that the channel across transects No. 2 and 4 is relatively uniform and contains sediments composed of medium-fine sand, whereas channel segments which had been dredged (transects no. 1, 3 and 5) are relatively deep in mid-channel and contain sediments composed of anoxic, black muck. This implies that channel segments that had been altered through dredging became sinks for fine grained sediments. Qualitative sediment descriptions along the five transects are described in Table 6. Sediments across transect I contain silty medium-fine sand at either shoreline with anoxic. muck across the majority of the channel. The western side of the channel is bulkheaded. Transect 2 is located across the channel running through the Juncus marsh west of 8elcher Road. This channel segment did not appear, from aerial photographs, to have been dredged, although dredging on either end is apparent. The sediment at both channel margins is highly organic and peatlike, reflecting the marsh habitat. The sediments across the channel are predominantly sands with the channel center having some silt and organics. The sediments at the one-quarter and three-quarter points are relatively clean (Table 6, Figure 57). Transect 3 is located just west of Belcher Road in a residentially developed area, with bulkheaded shorelines and a channelized creek. The sediments at the base of the bulkheads consist of shelly sands while the deeper channel segments (10 feet deep at time of measurements) contain sediments consisting of anoxic muck. Transect 4 is located in the mainstream of Allen Creek west of U.S. 19 A Juncus marsh exists along the south shore of the creek, while the north shore is bulkheaded. No apparent dredging had been accomplished in this stream segment. Sediments at the marsh shoreline were observed to be organic and peatlike while the remainder of the channel bottom consisted of relatively clean, medium-fine sand. Transect 5 is located across the creek between red mangroves on the south and a hard, shelly, coarse sand beach on the north. The bottom.just off the mangroves was hard and impenetrable by the sediment core. Presumably it consisted of a shelly sand bottom, or possibly an oyster bottom. The remaining quarter points had bottom sediments composed of anoxic, black muck. 2.1.2 biological and Chemical Characterization Dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 6.55 ppm to 10.40 ppn (Table 5). The dissolved oxygen concentrations at station I decreased slightly with a depth from a high of 7.80 ppm at the surface to a low of 6.55 ppm at a depth of 9 feet. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were highest at station 2 just north of Bellair Road, where surface concentration 's equalled 10. 4 ppm and bottom concentrations (at 5 feet) equalled 7.20 ppm. An additional dissolved oxygen reading at Station IF equalled 9.80 ppm. The dissolved oxygen readings at Stations 2 and IF were taken' at midday. At the time of 82 sampling, extensive algal blooms were evident in this portion of kllen Creek, suggesting potentially high nutrient loadings. The chlorophyLl-a Concentrations at Station 2 averaged 24.5 ug/I and at Station I averaged 10 ug/l (Table 7). The high dissolved oxygen readings are likely the result of algal photosynthesis. Night time dissolved oxygen concentrations would Likely be depressed as algal respiration and decay utilize the dissolved oxygen available in the water mass. Water temperature over the course of the sampling period (1045 - 1440 hours), ranged from 23.58 degrees to 27.84 degrees C. The measured pH values in Alien Creek ranged from 7.62 to 8.14. Turbidity ranged from 3.5 nephlometric turbidity units (NTU) at Station IF to 14.0 NTU at the bottom of Station 2. At Stations I and 2 there was an increase of turbidity with depth. This increase was slight at Station I but nearly 2 to 3 times at Station 2. The higher turbidities measured at the mid and bottom depths at Station 2 most likely resulted from the previously mentioned algal blooms. Secchi disk visibility depth was approximately 4 feet at Station I while only 2 feet at Station 2. - The reduced visibility at Station 2 was again most likely due to the algal blooms. The total suspended solid concentration averaged 7 mg/l at Station 2 and was below detection limits at Station 1. Additional City of Clearwater water quality data for Allen Creek is included in Appendix A. Mangroves and Juncus marsh were the predominant vegetation types in areas which remained undeveloped along Allen Creek (Figure 55). In the lower creek, trom U.S. 19 to the creek mouth, the southern shore of Allen Creek consisted predominantly of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and black mangrove (Avicenaia germinans). The mangrove area extended from the creek mouth to the channel east of the Sea Ray Marina and back in and around the marina to U.S. 19. Dredge and fill operations have created channels and uplands within this area. Approximately 400 feet of the north shore from U.S. 19 to the east is colonized by a narrow band of red mangroves in the intertidal zone. At higher elevations the land is disturbed and site preparation work for a new commercial development was underway. From 400 feet east of U.S. 19 to the creek mouth, the intertidal zone is mostly unvegetated and consists of a coarse, shelly sa:nd beach. This most likely resulted f rom past dredging operations along this creek segment, which removed vegetation and created the steep creek bank. From U.S. 19 to the west, the shoreline along Allen Creek remains relatively undeveloped for approximately one-half mile. Bordering the south shore and U.S. 19 is a small commercial strip center. The shoreline behind the center was built into a steep slope with red and black mangroves in the intertidal zone and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) on the slope face. For approximately one-half mile from the commercial strip center to the creek fork) th -e southern shore of the creek is colonized predominantly by red mangroves and black rush Ouncus roemerianus). A limited growth of Spartina alterniflora also occurs Ln this stream segment. The northern shore from U.S. 19 to the west is also predominantly mangrove and Juncus. The last 7UO feet of the northern shoreline before the creek fork consists of bulkheaded residential area. A large percentage of the mangroves in this segment of Allen Creek, were apparently cold-killed. New growth was evident, however. 83 Table 7. Chlorophyll a and Total Suspended Solids Concentrations ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE I ENGINEERING 05/14/e6 STATUS. PAGES I PROJECT NUMBER e6414VOSOO PROJECT NAME TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL rIELD CROUP TBRPC PROJECT MANAGER LISA BARE LAB COORDINATOR LISA BARE SAMPLE ID/8 STAI-1 STAI-2 STA2-1 STA2-2 STAII-I STA3-2 STA4-1 STA4-2 STAS-1 STAS-2 STA6-1 STA6-2 PARAMETERS STORET I TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC TBRPC UNITS METHOD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 9 10 11 12 DATE 04/IS/66 04/iS/86 04/IS/86 04/15/66 04/17/96 04/17/06 04il?/66 04/17/86 04/23/86 04/23/86 04/23/86 04/23/86 TIRE 00:00 00:00 00:00 00:00 06-20 08:20 11:50 11:50 RESIDUE.SUSP. 530 (S (5 9 5 7 5 (5 16 16 12 10 MG/L 0 CHLOROPHYLL.A.CORR., 32211 12 7.9 22 27 4.7 5.5 28 20 6.9 8.8 5.5 7.2 SPECT UGA 0 PHEOPHYTIN-A 32218 4.36 2.70 0.96 0.08 4.55 3.98 2.45 3.21 5.23 4.54 1.40 1.32 00 UGA 0 Source: ESE, 1986 North of the fork, Allen Creek is developed for residential use and shoreline vegetation has been largely eliminated and replaced with bulkheads. At the fork coafluence and to the south, the creek opens into a shallow meandering channel with black rush and red mangroves along the intertidal areas. Again, a large percentage of the mangrove population was reduced by cold shock. On either side of the creek the land has been drained and filled for residential use with a limited amount of agricultural activity (grove and horse pasture). From the marsh-mangrove area at the beginning of the south fork to Belcher Road, wetland vegetation becomes very Limited with only a few small red mangroves and occasional sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) observed along the shoreline. Although not bulkheaded, the shoreline of the stream segment is built up for residential use on the south shore with primarily horse pasture on the north shore. Some dredging is also evident from earlier aerial photography. From Belcher Road to the west nearly the entire shoreline of Allen Creek has been bulkheaded and filled for residential development. Approximately 1300 feet west of Belcher Koad t@ere is a Juncus marsh equally approximately 26 acres. The marsh is surrounded by residential development and portions of the marsh have obviously been dredged and filled f 'or development of the residential area. A gill net set at the mouth of Allen Creek for approximately seven hours (iUUU-1700 hrs.) on flood tide yielded nine species of marine fish (Table 6). Perhaps most significant among these are the Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix). Fourteen Spanish mackerel all slightly longer than 200 mm in standard length were caught, indicating the utilization of at least lower Allen Creek by this important sport and commercial species. Five bluefish ranging in standard length from 133 mm to 153 mm were caught, again indicating the utilization of Allen Creek by marine fish species as a nursery area. Spot (Seiosotmus xanthurus) and gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) collected within this area are also important species with sport and commercial value. Redfish, an important sport fishing species, may also utilize Allen Creek. A conversation with a fisherman, fishing the channel in the Juncus marsh west of Belcher Road, indicated that large redfish inhabit Allen Creek. Although no fisheries collections were made in freshwater areas connected with Allen Creek, a largemouth bass was observed north of Bellair Road. At the time of the field study, salinities in this creek section were in the mesohaline salinity regime. Vegetation at this location (Station 1E) however, indicated that on the average, salinities were generally lower since a stand of cattails (Typha sp.) and bullrush (Scirpus sp.) were observed. 2.1.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations Allen Creek has few point source discharges. The only discharge listed was for the Belcher Road Elementary School (TBRPC, 1977@. However, the creek has numerous storm drains and drainage ditches emptying into it from the surrounding residential and commercial development. The branches of Allen Creek north of Bellair Road have essentially been turned into storm drainage ditches extending up to S.R. 60. At U.S. 19 stormwater runoff from the 85 TABLE 8 TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL FISH COLLECTED IN ALLEN CREEK APRIL 15, 1986 GILL NET SET AT MOUTH OF CREEK, 1000 - 1700 HOURS ON FLOOD TIDE STANDARD SPECIES LENGTH (KM) Bagre marinus (gafftopsail catfish) 335 Scomberomorus maculatus (Spanish mackerel) 222 205 215 205 214 218 230 227 227 230 220 210 212 201 Elops saurus (ladyfish) 295 300 335 Leiosiomus xanthurus (spot) 132 136 132 133 147 149 73 Brevoortia patronus (gulf menhaden) 207 210 227 190 205 208 195 200 208 Opisthonema oglinum (Atlantic thread herring) 130 134 120 124 88 85 85 80 Alosa chrysochloris'(skipjack herring) 145 Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish) 140 153 142 148 133 Anchoa hepsetus (striped anchovy) 106 100 94 91 98 110 77 55 Source: ESE, 1986 86 roadway is directed into Allen Creek from the area surrounding the bridge crossing. At the time of the field survey (April 13, 1986), a new commercial development was underway to the north of Allen Creek and east of U.S. 19. This development is surrounded by a storm drainage system which will eventually discharge into Allen Creek approximately 550 feet east of U.S. 19. Wetlands which extend along U.S. 19 for approximately 1100 feet south of the Sea Ray Marina most likely receive runoff from the roadway, some of which may travel to Allen Creek and eventually Tampa Bay. The small strip center on the western side of U.S. 19 and bordering Allen Creek has a 12-inch parking lot drain discharging directly into Allen Creek. Between U.S. 19 and Belcher Road there are few storm drains entering the creek, but several large drainage ditches entered the creek from the south. At Belcher Road two storm drains receiving roadway runoff entered the creek. West of Belcher Road residential storm drains and drainage swales additionally empty into the creek. No salinity barriers were observed along the course of Allen Creek from the mouth of the creek to Bellair Road. The major physical alteration to Allen Creek was the extensive bulkheading of the creek shoreline for residential development. Of the approximately three nautical miles of stream course surveyed, there are approximately 2.9 nautical miles of bulkheading inclusive of both stream banks. The creek banks are not extensively bulkheaded in the creek segment east of Belcher Road, however filling has created steep banks with little littoral zone available for the establishment of wetland vegetation. Allen Creek has been dredged and channelized in various creek segments and remains relatively undisturbed in other segments. The large majority of the creek, however, has been subjected to dredge and fill activities related to residential development. The lower creek segment is dredged from U.S. 19 to the creek mouth. Aerial photographs indicate a channel for Allen Creek has been dredged to allow boat access to Largo Inlet, the Sea Ray Marina and a small boat facility south of the creek. West of U.S. 19 to the creek fork (approximately 0.5 miles upstream), no apparent channelization has occurred. This channel segment contains a slight meander and is relatively shallow. The north branch of the first channel fork has been channelized and bulkheaded, extending north of Bellair Road. Along this branch, Allen Creek eventually becomes a drainage canal from a point just upstream of Belleair Road. The southern branch, and main creek channel, has no apparent dredging or channelization through the first 1800 feet. From the end of this mangrove-marsh area to Belcher Road the creek channel meanders slightly. However, it appears from aerial photography that some dredging has taken place for filling of adjacent lands. From Belcher Road west, Allen Creek has had extensive dredging, filling and stream channeliza-tion. Apparently the only und.redged area remaining is the channel running north-south through the Juncus marsh. 2.1.4 Habitat Assessment Allen Creek has been measurably altered, primarily through the activities of streambed alteration associated with the urbanization of the watershed. The 87 creek has been extensively dredged and bulkheaded along the creek banks. The primary land use surrounding Allen Creek is residential with numerous storm drains entering directly into the creek from residential areas. The creek branches which extended north of Bellair Road have essentially been turned into urban drainage ditches extending up to U.S. 60. The deeper dredged portions of Allen Creek contain predominantly anoxic muds, and have apparently become sediment sinks. Although no chemical analyses were performed on bottom sediments, these fine sediments may end up as sinks for pollutants discharged into the creek. Eutrophic conditions are evident within the water column as illustrated by high daily oxygen concentrations with low light penetration. Within the Allen Creek system, isolated wetland areas remain which have not been filled or bulkheaded. These areas are located at the mouth of the creek, between U.S. 19 and the creek fork, at the creek fork in the southern branch, and a Juncus.marsh west of Belcher Road. This Juncus marsh was the largest remaining wetland area, but has obviously been encroached upon from all sides. The wretland areas, primarily mangroves at the creek mouth and the Juncus marsh upstream, can provide nursery and feeding habitat for commercially and recreationally important species of fish and shellfish. Although fisheries collections were limited in Allen Creek, the fish collected near the mouth of the creek indicated that Allen Creek provides potential nursery habitat for important marine species such as Spanish mackerel. The preservation of the remaining wetland along Allen Creek is essential in maintaining whatever limited populations of fish species the creek now supports. 88 2.2 Delaney Creek 2.2.1 Hydrographic Features The Delaney Creek drainage basin encompasses approximately 11,069 acres (Table 9). The 'basin can be divided into 27 sub-basins created by drainage ditches and roadways resulting from urbanization in the area (Figure 58). The sub-basins range in size from 69.8 acres to 2,442.6 acres. Land use within the bas"in, as estimated from 1979 (1"=2000') aerial photography consists of a mixture of industrial, residential, commercial, and agricultural. The area between Tampa and Brandon is one of the fastest growing areas in the Tampa Bay Region and estimates based on 1979 photograph may overestimate the percentage of land in agriculture, and underestimate J the urban and built up areas. Delaney Creek is a first order stream as defined by the Florida Land Use and Cover Classification System (1977). The creek flows westward from the Brandon area and empties into the Hillsborough Bay subsection of Tampa Bay. Calculations of discharge of surface waters through Delaney Creek to Tampa Bay are based on rainfall data from the year 1981-1982. The average monthly discharge of Uelaney Creek ranged from 4.8 acre-feet to 5,888.7 acre-feet (Table 4) with highest discharges occurring in the summer and fall months corresponding to natural rainfall cycles. With the urbanization of the Delaney Creek watershed, the discharge volumes are expected to increase. Compared with the Allen Creek watershed, which is the smallest of the three selected watersheds, the Frog and Delaney Creek discharges were calculated to be much lower. The high discharge of Allen Creek was due to the Lmpervious surfaces dominating the watershed. As the Delaney Creek watershed becomes urbanized a similar situation can be expected to occur. Channel profiles and sediment types for Delaney Creek are depicted in Figure 59 and depths are given in Table 10. On the day of the survey (April 17, 198b) dillsborough Bay had a diurnal tide with the low at 0325 hrs. and the high at 1916 hrs. The low was predicted to be at 0.0 feet and the high at 1.9 feet (NOAA, 1985). The profiles in Figure 59 are uncorrected for tidal changes since no vertical control was surveyed into the analysis. All depths therefore are those recorded at that particular time of day and tidal stages Estimates of tidal range are made from water marks on existing structures and creek banks, and from a staff gauge located on the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) railroad trestle. Sampling stations and transect locations are found on Figure 60 for Delaney Creek. Depths recorded for transect No. I are recorded very near low tide. When the station was first sampled (1030 hrs.) the water was flowing out and stopped shortly thereafter. The water level at a staf f gauge on the SCL railroad trestle reflected 1.6 feet at 1000 hrs. A second reading at 1200 hrs. equalled 1.74 feet, and a third reading at 1250 equalled 1.92 feet, indicating a change from ebb to flood during this time span. At the time of depth profiling, no flow could be observed. An estimate of high tide levels was acquired from the water mark on the staff gauge and estimated at 2.75 feet. This indicated a tidal range of at least 1.2 feet within this creek segment, Water marks on the creek bank indicated the tidal range could be as great as 1.5-2 feet. 89 Table 9. Delaney Creek Drainage Basin and Subbasin Area Subbasin No. Acres 1 2,442.6 2 753.0 3 417.8 4 619.8 5 461.0 6 275.5 7 377.6 8 286.5 9 69.8 10 94.6. 11 28.5 12 176.3 13 670.3 14 345.3 15 166.2 16 113.9 17 216.7 18 329.7 19 251.6 20 232.3 21 93.7 22 459.1 23 315.0 24 679.5 25 69.8 26 408.6 27 714.4 11,069.1 Source: ESE, 1986 90 200 200 \of j..o 100 10. is too loo too loo 2" ago. j E) 100 too 17 100 sjtam t too 100 It too 42 41 foo 00 "Oil $as 100 LEGEND: BASIN BOUN SUBBASIN 8 SUBBASIN N 100 URBAN OR B 200 AGRICULTUR Figure 58. 400 FORESTED U 500 WATER DELANEY CREEK WATERSHED BASIN AND GENERAL LAND USE 622 MANGROVES 641 FRESHWATER SOURCE; ESE, 1986. 642 JUNCUS MAR WATER SURFACE TRANSECT NO.1 N S 1100 FS FS FS FS FS TRANSECT NO.2 N S 1300 M FS FS M M TRANSECT NO.3 N S 1355 SSC C FS M M/FS TRANSECT NO.4 N S 1500 FS M M SSC SHS TRANSECT NO. 5 N S 1530 RR FS/OY FS/OY FS/OY FS/OY QUALITATIVE SEDrMENT DESCRIPTION C Clay NOTES: FS Medium to fine sand with little silt FS10y Fine sand with oysters e DEPTHS ARE THOSE DEPTHS RECORDED AT TIME OF N Muck; no sand, black ooze SURVEY AND ARE NOT CORRECTED FOR TIDE K/FS Mucky fine sand OF Organic-peatliko RR Rip-rap SHS Shelly sand *CHANNEL WIDTHS ARE APPROXIMATE: ESTIMATED SSC Silty sand with some clay FROM 1"= 200' AERIAL PHOTOS e DEPTHS MEASURED FROM EDGE OF WATER SCALE: V= 15' Figure 59. CHANNEL PROFILES, DELANEY CREEK, TAMPA BAY REGIONAL APRIL 17, 1986 PLANNING COUNCIL Table 10. Sediments - Delaney Creek TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL QUALITATIVE SEDIMENT DESCIPTIONS DELANEY CREEK, 4/17/86 TRANSECT NO. 1 TIDAL FRESHWATER, 300' UPSTREAM OF RAILROAD TRESTLE N--)S,1100, '1WIDTH=33' 0(0') ------ SILTY-FINE SAND 1/4 (0. 5') --SILTY-FINE SAND 1/2 (0.5')--SILTY-FINE SAND 3/4(1.0')--SILTY-FINE SAND 4/4 (0.) ---- SILTY-FINE SAND TRANSECT NO. 2 APPROX. 400' UPSTREAM OF U.S. HWY. 41 N--)S,1300, WIDTH = 40' 0(0') ------ ORGANIC MUCK ON SAND, STICKS 1/4 (2.1')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 1/2 ( 2.0')--MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN 3/4 (2.3')--MUCKY SAND, OILY SHEEN 4/4 (0') ---- MUCKY SAND ,WOOD DEBRIS, LITTLE CLAY TRANSECT NO. 3 JUST UPSTREAM OF HORSESHOE BEND S-) N, 1355, WIDTH - 50' 0(0') ------ MUCKY-FINE SAND, ROOT MATERIAL, 1/4(2.1')--6" MUCK OVER MEDIUM-FINE SAND 1/2(2.25')-MEDIUM-FINE SAND, RELATIVELY CLEAN, THIN DETRITAL LAYER 3/4(2.25')-H25,CLAY 4/4(0') ---- VERY SILTY,MEDIUM-FINE SAND, CLAY TRANSECT NO. 4 CHANNELIZED STREAM LOWER CREEK S-) N, 1500, WIDTH = 75' 0(0')-----SHELLY SAND 1/4(5.5')-SILTY/CLAY SAND 1/2(6.25')H25,MUCK,LEAVES 3/4(6')---MUCK 4/4(0') --- SILTY SAND, ROOT MATERIAL TRANSECT NO. 5 LOWER CREEK N--)S, 1530, WIDRH - 80' 0(0') ------ MEDIUM-FINE SAND, OYSTERS 1/4(5') ---- MEDIUM-FINE SAND, OYSTERS 1/2(5.25')-MEDIUM-FINE SAND, OYSTERS 3/4(5') ---- MEDIUM-FINE SAND. OYSTERS 4/4(0') ---- MEDIUM-FINE SAND, OYSTERS Source: ESE, 1986 93 16 27 r7l, i T E A S T UR' B A Y' 25 rs Point N 7- C- .-34 4 ol. D .4. 40 4A 0 3B c TR-3 2000 @iR 4 lil. 1110. FEET A 3 T- TR ;p tion! no IfflCk, in fl.---Foit Suttn,, sa !rl yi Figure 60. DELANEY CREEK, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA TAM SAMPLING STATIONS AND CHANNEL PROFILE LOCATIONS; APRIL 17, 1986 PLi SOURCE: ESE, 1986. Station 3 located at the mouth of Delaney Creek was first occupied at 0720 hrs. During this time the tide was estimated to be down approximately two feet as evidenced by the water line on the rip-rap along the north shore. Transect No. 5 was conducted just upstream of Station 3, and at the time of bottom profiling, the tide was estimated to be down approximately one foot. The East Coast tide tables (NOAA, 1985) gave the mean diurnal range for Hillsborough Bay as 2.8 feet, which reflects the tidal range at the mouth of Delaney Creek. Difference in water depth at individual stations sampled by FDER (data appendix in CCI, 1985) indicate a tidal range of 1.5-2 feet in the middle reaches of the tidally influenced portion of Delaney Creek. Therefore, the depth profiles for Delaney Creek were conducted from low water at the upper study limit to approximately two-thirds of the high tide cycle in the lower creek segment. The channel depths as a result would be approximately one to two feet deeper during high tide than are depicted. Sediment transect No. I is located approximately 300 feet upstream from the SCL railroad trestle. During the time of the channel cross section analysis, the maximum deptli equalled 1.0 feet. The sediment across the channel was uniform in nature and consisted of a silty fine sand. Sediment transect No. 2 is located approximately 400 feet upstream of U.S. 41 adjacent to an auto junk yard. Maximum water depth at the time of sampling measured 2.3 feet. Sediments across the transect ranged from relatively clean, medium-fine sand at the quarter and half points (from north to south) to mucky sand along the north shore, at the three-quarter point, and at the south shore. The sediments at transect No. 3, located just upstream of the meander, ranged from sand to clay. Along the southern shoreline the sediments contained a soft mucky, fine sand with root material from the bordering black rush marsh. At the one-quarter point the sediments consisted of a 6-inch layer of black muck over medium fine sand. In the channel center, the bottom consisted of relatively clean medium-fine sand covered with a thin detrital layer. The sediments at the three-quarter point were predominantly clay with a hydrogen sulfide odor. Sediments along the north bank were very silty medium-fine sand with some clay. In the channelized lower creek segment along transect No. 4, the sediments at the south and north shorelines consisted of shelly sand and silty sand respectively. The deeper portions of the channel contained additional fine material with the first quarter point sample containing predominantly silt and clay with some sand, while the sediments at the mid-channel and three-quarter points consisted of black muck with a hydrogen sulfide odor. Sediments across transect No. 5 near the mouth of the creek were uniform in nature. The bottom consisted of a medium fine sand intermixed with scattered clumps of oysters. 95 2.2.2 Biological and Ghemical Characterization In-situ water quality parameters were measured between 0720 and 1420 hrs. on April 17, 1966 (Table 5). All data was collected during a flood tide. Dissolved oxygen was measured at three locations, Stations 3, 4 and 4B (Figure 60) and ranged from 5.00 ppm to 7.30 ppm. Maximum water depth at the time of dissolved oxygen measurements was 2.5 feet. Salinity measurements in Delaney Creek ranged from 0.78 ppt (Station 4B) to 26.24 ppt (Station 3), indicating the freshwater-saltwater interface occurred just upstream from the Seaboard Coast Line railroad trestle. Salinity measurements taken at Station 4A showed an increase from 1.56 ppt at 1000 hrs. to 1.74 ppt at 1200 hrs. Salinity recorded at Station 3B identified an increase from 18.02 ppt at 0826 hrs. to 25.64 ppt at 1420 hrs. Station 4 salinity increased from 3.16 ppt at 0930 hrs. to 5.91 ppt at 1315 tirs. In-situ water quality sampling measurements collected in February, 1985 by 7onservation Consultants Inc. (CCI) defined the freshwater-saltwater interface of Delaney Creek essentially within the same creek segment as the present study. At U.S. 41, CCI found the conductivity to range from 4.91 mmohs/cm at low tide to 26.40 mmohs/cm at high tide. At the railroad trestle, CCI reported conductivity to equal 3.41 mmohs/cm at low tide. At CCI Station 4 (approximately 2UOU feet upstream of Station 48 of the present study), a conductivity of 0.51 nimohs/cm was recorded at low tide. This data indicates that Delaney Creek from U.S. 41 to approximately one-half mile upstream may range from freshwater to mesohaline salinities depending upon tidal stage and freshwater discharge. The Hillsborough County Environmental Frotection Commission (HCEPC) routinely collects water quality data at U.S. 41. Although they list this station as a freshwater station, their data (Table 11) indicates this segment of Delaney Creek to be oligohaline. The HCEPC Station 138 (54th St. and 36th Ave.) predominantly reflects freshwater characteristics (Table 12). Florida Department of Environmental Regulation data on Delaney Creek (Appendix B in CCI, 1985) indicate tidal influence and some brackish water characteristics as far upstream as the 54th Street bridge over Delaney Creek, depending upon tidal stage. The creek, however, is predominantly freshwater at this point. Dissolved oxygen concentrations measured in Delaney Creek equalled 6.30 ppm, 5.UO ppm and 7.30 ppm at Stations 3, 4 and 4B respectively (Table 5). In the tidal portion of Delaney Creek, CCI (1985) identified dissolved oxygen concentrations ranging from 5.5 to 6.4 ppm and a range of 5.1 ppm to 8.5 ppm between the railroad trestle and U.S. 301. In their sampling CCI reported only one measurement below the Class III standard of 5.0 ppm, this recorded just north of SR 676. Studies conducted on Delaney Creek by the FDER (Appendix B in CCI, 1985) recorded numerous dissolved oxygen concentrations below the 5.0 ppm Class III standard. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations were recorded from Maydell Street and SR 676 down to the mouth of Delaney Creek, and occurred throughout the day. Dissolved oxygen concentrations at HCEPC station 133 96 Table 11. Water Quality Parameters Station 133. Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (inches) mmhos/cm (pg/1) Effective Light mid PH Year Conductivity so/oo Chl a Penetration D.O. (min) (max) NTU SS (mg/1) 1978 6.8 3.8 23.43 18.8 4.5 3.92 13.7 1979 6.9 29.1 17.3 4.1 5.3 15.8 1980 4.64 2.6 24.0 17.8 3.9 3.2 8.8 1981 6.6 3.8 19.0 19.1 4.4 6.8 7.6 3.3 12.0 1982 2.5 1.3 22.8 16.4 3.5 6.5 7.6 5.5 8.0 1983 0.97 2.3 9.1 14.5 3.4 7.2 7.6 33.8 19.5 Source: HCEPC, 1979, 1985 Table 12. Water Quality Parameters S tation 138. Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (inches) mmhos/cm (pg/1) Effective Light mid PH Year Conductivity so/oo Chl a Penetration D.O. (min) (max) NTU SS (mg/1) 1981 2.58 1.5 15.4 13.4 3.0 7.3 9.1 3.3 5.9 1982 0.69 0.4 4.8 16.3 4.3 7.1 8.1 5.5 4.2 1983 0.62 0.3 5.7 14.5 -4.1 7.5 7.9 32.5 15.2 Source: HCEPC, 1982, 1985 (U.S. 41) averaged less than 5.0 ppm from 1978-1983 (Table 11). HCEPC Station 138 (54th Street and 36th Avenue) averaged less than 5.0 ppm for the years 1981, 1982, and 1983 (Table 12). Turbidity, secchi disk depth and pH for Delaney Creek are listed in Table 5. At the time of sampling, the secchi depth reached down to the creek bottom. During the time of sampling the tide was low and flooding. At Station 4 (U.S. 41) the disk remained visible at 2.5 feet. HCEPC has measured an effective light penetration at this station of less than two feet from 1978 through 1983. Turbidity at the mouth of Delaney Creek measured 3.8 NTU and increased upstream at Station 4 to 9.4 NTU. HCEPC recorded turbidities ranging from 3.2 NTU to 33.8 NTU at U.S. 41 from the years 1978--1983. Total suspended solids sampled at the mouth of Delaney Creek (Station 3) and at U.S. 41 (Station 4) were relatively low. The amount of suspended solids ranged from less than 5 mg/l to 7 mg/l (Table 7). Chlorophyll-a. concentrations measured at the same two stations showed an increase from the- mouth of the creek to the upstream segment. Concentrations measured at the creek mouth were 4.7 -ug/1 and 5.5 ug/l while upstream at U.S. 41 the chlorophyll-a concentrations were 28 ug/l and 20 ug/l. Over the years 1978-1983, IFC-EPC measured chlorophyll-a. concentrations at U.S. 41 (Station 133) ranging from 9.1 ug/1 to 29.1 ug/T. In June, 1981 FDER (Data in Appendix B in CCI, 1985) recorded very high chlorophyll-a concentrations in Delaney Creek. Concentrations ranged from 67.7 ug/l to 168.1 ug/l within the creek segment from the mouth of Delaney Creek to just above the Seaboard Coast Line railroad trestle. During the time of the FDER sampling, phytoplankton blooms were evident in Delaney Creek. FDER water quality investigations conducted in August 1984 measured chlorophyll-a concentrations of 2.7 ug/1 at the Seaboard Coastline railroad trestle, 5.3 A1g/1 to 14.4 ug/1 at U.S. 41, and 17.9 ug/1 to 194.2 ug/1 at the mouth of Delaney Creek. Along Delaney Creek, limited salt tolerant aquatic vegetation was observed. The upstream limit of salt tolerant plants extended to just downstream of U.S. 41. The largest area of aquatic vegetation occurred along the shores of the unchannelized meander in the lower creek segment. The dominant plant species observed is black rush Ouncus roemerianus). Additional plants included black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) (many oT which had been cold shocked), and saltwort (Batis maritima). Slightly higher elevations supported sea myrtle (Baccharis halimifolia) and marsh elder (Iva frutescens). Upstream of the meander and below U.S. 41, the small black rush marshes generally occurred at lower elevations behind the creek banks that had been elevated due to streambed channelization. The tops of the banks generally contained Brazilian pepper, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto). From the mouth of Delaney Creek up to the meander, little aquatic vegetation occurred along the creek shores. The lower creek has been channelized creating very high, steep banks. The intertidal zone at the base of the banks contained scattered small red and black mangroves. At the creek mouth many of the mangroves have been cold shocked. Along higher elevation of the banks some sea myrtle and marsh elder occur, but the area is dominated by Brazilian pepper and cabbage palms. The ditched areas along the south side of Delaney Creek, north of the TECO-Gannon- plant, are colonized by 98 predominantly black mangroves, a large portion of which are apparently cold shucked. Above U.S. 41, little aquatic vegetation occur due to the steep banks created by channelization. The most significant area of aquatic vegetation was a herbaceous freshwater marsh along the Nitram. Chemical Co. discharge. This marsh area is approximately 1.8 acres in size. The majority of fish collected in Delaney Creek were caught by beach seine at the freshwater-saltwater interface (Station 4B). Nine fish species were collected by beach seine within this area. Collected specimens include sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), bluegiil (Lepomis macrochirus), sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon vartegatus), mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), Fundulus spp., redfish (Sciaenops _ocellatus) and rainwater killifish (Lucania parva) (Table 13). A gill net set just downstream of the Seaboard Coast Line railroad trestle (Station 4A) netted a Tilapia spp. Additionally, Tilapia spp. were observed in the small stream (Nitram. discharge) ente@_Ing Delaney Greek just upstream of the railroad trestle. Blue crabs were also collected by beach seine and gill net in this stream segment. The majority of these identified species of fish range from brackish to freshwater and are common at the saltwater-freshwater interface. Most significant among the fish collections was the capture of juvenile redfish. Six individuals ranging from 4 to 6 inches were collected at Station 4B. kedfish are an important recreational species in the Tampa Bay area. The collection of these juvenile fish in Delaney Creek indicates that the creek is serving as a nursery area for this species. The lower Alafia River, just South of Delaney Creek, has been reported to be the major spawning/ nursery area for redfish in Tampa Bay (FDNR, personal communications). A gill net set in the lower creek for approximately 6 hours acquired very few fish. The only fish caught were two sea catfish (Arius felis). Blue crabs and crown conch (Melongena corona) were also collected in the gill net. During the time of sampling, lower Delaney Creek was being commercially fished for blue crabs. 2.2.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations The two major point source discharges into lower Delaney Creek originate from Chloride Metals, Inc. and Nitram Chemicals, Inc. Nitram is a fertilizer manufacturing plant and Chloride Metals, Inc. is involved in the manufacturing of lead acid batteries. Chloride Metals, Inc. has been issued a discharge permit which expires October 1, 1986, (FDER permit files). The wastewater streams consist of drainage from the raw plate storage area, overflow from the material crushing/ separation process, plant washdown water, scrubber overflow, and stormwater runof f f rom. the production area. Treated water is normally recycled. The bleed down of treated process water and treated stormwater in excess of a 10-year, 24-hour event is discharged to Delaney Creek (letter of permit issuance, March 1975). The discharge permit places maximum daily limitations on total suspended solids (3.06. lbs./day), antimony (0.214 lbs./day), arsenic (0.089 lbs./day), lead (0.066 lbs./day), zinc (0.066 99 Table 13. TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL FISH COLLECTED IN DELANEY CREEK, APRIL 17, 1986 BEACH SEINE. TIDAL FRESH WATER GILL NET, TIDAL FRESH WATER GILL NET, TIDAL SALT WATER SPECIES STANDARD LENGTH Poecilia latioinna (sailfin molLy) Lepomis macrocnirus (bluegill) Cyprincoon variegatus (sheepshead minnow) ScienoPs ocellata (redfisn) 6 @ 100-155 Menidia beryllina (tidewater silverside) Gambusia affinis (mosquito fish) Fundulus sp.(heteroclitus ?) Lucania parva (rainwater killifish) Tilapia sp. Arius felis (sea catfisn) Source: ESE, 1986 100 lbs./day), copper (0.015 mg/1), nickel (0.10 mg/1), turbidity (29.0 NTU above background), and pH (6.0-8.5). No discharge occurred from the percolation ponds during January, March, April, May or June of 1985. FDER water quality investigations on Delaney Creek have measured very high concentrations of nitrogen compounds below the Nitram discharge (FDER data, .1984 in Appendix B, CCI 1985). In the FDER samples collected in August, 1984, NH3-N values increased from a range of 0.2 - 0.3 mg/l at 54th Street and 36th Avenue to almost 6 mg/1 at U.S. 41. TKN increased from less than 2 mg/l at 54th Street and 36th Avenue to almost 7 mg/l at U.S. 41, and nitrate plus nitrite increased from approximately 0.3 mg/l to 3-7 mg/1 at U.S. 41. Significant increases in these nitrogen species occurred down to the mouth of the creek. HCEPC monitoring data also reported a large increase in nitrogen species concentrations between Stations 138 and 133 (HCEPC, 1985). Additional point source discharges to Delaney Creek listed by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (1977) include Redwing Carriers, Inc. (trucking), and Contract Manufacturing Inc. (electric storage batteries). The HCEPC (1979) listed 175 wastewater treatment facilities in 'the Delaney Creek drainage basin as of July 1979, fifteen of which discharged to surface waters. CCI (1985) found mercury, lead and copper concentrations in surface waters of Delaney Creek to be in compliance with Class III water quality standards. These three heavy metals were below detection limits in Delaney Creek sediments. FDER (cited in CCI, 1985) found arsenic, cadmium, chromilim, lead, copper and zinc to be in compliance with Class III standards. Heavy metal levels in creek sediments near the Nitram. discharge were relatively high (FDER cited in CCI, 1985). Just upstream of U.S. 41 and extending for approximately 1000 feet along the south bank is an auto junk yard. This area is approximately 4.5 acres in size. Assorted debris and car trash has collected in the adjacent Juncus marsh. No direct discharge from this area was observed, however the area could be a potential source of oils and greases to Delaney Creek as they are washed from the wreckage during rainstorms. No salinity barriers were located in the surveyed segment of Delaney Creek. The Seaboard Coast Line railroad trestle, although not an actual salinity barrier, is stabilized with rocks underneath it. These rock piles may cause a slight restriction of water movement at low tides and at times of low flow. Little of the shoreline of Delaney Creek is hardened. A small bulkhead was located just below U.S. 41, and constructed of old battery casings. At the mouth of the creek the northern shoreline has been rip-rapped for approximately 1800 feet. The major physical alteration to Delaney Creek is the channelization of the creek system. The entire creek system has been channelized except for a short meandering segment in the lower creek approximately 4000 feet upstream from the creek mouth. This meandering segment extended for a distance of approximately 1700 feet. Between Causeway Blvd. and U.S. 41, spoil from past channelizatioa operations has been placed-along the channel, creating 101 steep side slopes of 1.5:1 (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., 1985). CCI (1985) characterized most of Delaney Creek as a small channelized stream consisting of straight segments with the stream being a small ditch from the east to U.S. 301. The channelization in the lower creek below the meander has resulted in steep banks created from dredged spoil, with a very narrow intertidal zone. The northern shore of the lower creek has been industrialized for port and rail facilities. The southern shore of the creek has also been industrialized. On the southern side downstream from the meander the land behind the spoil bank has been ditched and receives drainage from the industrialized surroundings of Port Sutton. Industries occurring around the mouth of Delaney Creek include Ideal Cement, TECO-Gannon, and W.R. Grace & Company (HCEPC, 1978). 2.2.4 Habitat Assessment Delaney Creek is designated as Class III waters as defined by the Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 17-3. The creek however, does not: meet these standards. The waters of Delaney Creek often exhibit low dissolved oxygen values, and extremely high nutrient concentrations particularly in the estuarine segment of the creek below the Nitram discharge, and has exhibited phytoplankton blooms in the past. FDER is presently working on a wasteload allocation study for Delaney Creek which will set limits for the discharge of pollutants into the creek system. Delaney Creek is stressed from a water quality perspective. From the perspective of aquatic habitat, Delaney Creek is also stressed. The freshwater segments of Delaney Creek have been channelized for the majority of its length and does not contain any significanLt floodplain vegetation (CCI, 1985). In the estuarine portion of Delaney Creek below U.S. 41, aquatic habitat is limited due to the channelization of the creek creating steep, bermed shorelines with little intertidal zone available. The only appreciable aquatic vegetation and habitat in Delaney Creek is found in the unchannelized segment of the creek. Additional small areas of black rush marsh occur below U.S. 41 where ground elevation behind the creek banks is low enough to allow the maintenance of these small marshes. Curiously enough, the second area of any significant aquatic habitat was found along the stream course of the Nitram discharge. This area contained freshwater herbaceous marsh which appeared to be quite productive for small forage fish. Relatively large schools of minnows were visible in the waters of this area. The occurrence of juvenile blue crabs and juvenile redfish in Delaney Creek above U.S. 41 indicate the potential of Delaney Creek as a nursery area. Further evidence of the value as a productive blue crab area was the fact that the lower creek was being commercially fished for blue crabs. Redfish are an important species to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The protection and restoration of the nursery habitat is essential to the continued existence of a viable redfish fishery. 102 2.3 Frog Creek 2.3.1 Hydrographic Features Frog Creek has the largest drainage basin of the three creeks studied, equalling approximately 12,898.5 acres. The drainage basin is subdivided into nine sub-basins (Figure 61) ranging in size from 359 acres to 3,423.3 acres (Table 14). The lower creek west of U.S. 41 remain relatively unaltered, maintaining a meandering course to Terra Ceia Bay. East of U.S. 41, however, Frog Creek splits into what has become essentially two large agricultural drainages. Cabbage Slough runs to the northeast and Frog Creek runs east to Parrish, Florida. For the majority of its length from just east of U.S. 41 to Parrish, Frog Creek has been straightened and connected with an extensive agricultural drainage system. The same situation exists for Cabbage Slough. Limited amounts of residential-development occur in the Frog Creek drainage basin. The calculated average monthly surface water discharge through Frog Creek, based on 1981-1982 rainfall data, ranged from 15.3 acre-feet to 836.6 acre-feet (Table 4). Although the surface area of the drainage basin is over twice the size of the Allen Creek basin, the discharge was less, due to the difference in land uses. The discharge of Frog Creek is generally higher than the discharge of Delaney Creek although the basins were nearly the same size. This situation will most likely become reversed as the Delaney Creek watershed berms urbanized to a greater extent. This may have already occurred since the land use and impervious surfaces for Delaney Creek were base on 1979 aerial photography and 1981 quad sheets, while much development has occurred in this area since then. Salinity was measured along Frog Creek from near the mouth at Station 5 to the saltwater/freshwater interface at Station 6 (Figure 62). The salinity decreased upstream from a measurement of 14.31 ppt in the lower creek (taken just after the onset of flood tide) to 0.82 ppt at Station 6 (Table 5). From Station 5 to Station 5A, a distance of approximately 2000 feet, salinity decreased to 590 ppt. A second salinity reading at Station 5A taken approximately six hours later showed an increase of 3.94 ppt to 9.84 ppt. The second reading was acquired approximately one to one and one-half hours after high tide. Salinity did not decrease between Stations 5A and 5B and actually a slight increase was measured. At Station 5C salinity dropped to 3.04 ppt. At 5D salinity equalled 2.32 ppt with a lesser increase of only 0.92 ppt. approximately five and one half hours later. The interface between salt and fresh water appeared to occur at about the level of Station 5E, approximately one nautical mile upstream, where salinity equalled 0.98 ppt. Aquatic vegetation also identified this area to be the vicinity of the saltwater/freshwater interface as a shift in vegetation was obvious, with the disappearance of mangroves and the appearance of cattails, waternet, torpedo grass, and American water lily. Salinity at Station 6 was measured at 0.82 ppt. The reference station for tides for Frog Creek is Bradenton. Inspection of tide tables and field observations indicated that tides in Frog Creek were approximately 1.5-2 hours later than at the reference station. Low tide on April 23, 1986, occurred at approximately 0730. Measurement of the barnacle 103 Figure 61. - - - - - - - - - - - 112Z 4oo 404) Fo Boo loo too zoo 4oo zoo all too 4oo FRQG C1111EK I *j too too 4oo too 400 too 17A. calk 200 AT too 400 4oo 4oo too LEGEND: BASIN BOUNDARY SUBBASIN BOUNDARIES SUBBASIN NUMBER (D 100 URBAN OR BUILT UP -100 AGRICULTURE 400 FORESTED UPLANDS Soo WATER FROG CREEK WATERSHED BASIN AND GENERAL LA 622 MANGROVES 641 FRESHWATER MARSH SOURCE: ESE, 1986. 642 JUNCUS MARSH Table 14. Frog Creek Drainage Basin and Subbasin Area Subbasin No. Acres 1 1,397.6 2 1,874.7 3 3,423.3 4 2,643.7 5 1,193.8 6 463.7 7 835.2 8 359.0 9 707.5 12,898.5 Source: ESE, 1986 105 �F@ 5 PY Ith@as N Head 0 Bishop Harbor Kitchen (e (pKey 16 Moses .4. H I ;j ...... .. Southeast '4G Head, 7- 4D W; U r 7! 7' r5D @-*51E - 4 ,TR jral er . _;i@@ I - i a P. Park 1131 . .. ..... ..... A 5C ......... . ............ 6 -,dP- 0-2 SA TR-3, 7 IP I " ft-1 f 14 5 ZT.4 ............ b TR-4- fftrbonia t @p TA-5 i!26 Jr Figure 62. FROG CREEK, MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA TAMP SAMPLING STATIONS AND CHANNEL PROFILE LOCATIONS; APRIL 23, 1986 PLA line and water mark on bridge pilings indicated a tidal range of approximately sixteen to eighteen inches at the mouth of the creek. Depth measurements at transect No. I were taken at approximately high tide (Figure 63). Depths along the following transects were taken during a falling tide. By the time profiles for transects No. 4 and 5 were recorded ttie tide near the mouth of the creek was down about L.5 feet. Depth measurements were recorded from the edge of the water, independent of tidal height data. Additional depth soundings were collected along the creek channel from the level of Station 5D to near the mouth. Depths ranged from 0.5 feet to 3 feet with the majority of depths in the I to 2 foot range. The lower creek, where it widens within the mangrove wetlands, is uniformly shallow with depths of I to 2 feet, and sediments composed of very silty, fine sand. The upper creek above the saltwater/ freshwater interface is more deeply incised with well defined steep banks. Frog Creek retains a meandering channel as opposed to belaney and Allen Creeks which have channel segments straightened. The meandering of Frog Creek is particularly evident in the estuarine zone. At the level of Station 5D the creek dead ends somewhat with only a small cut passing through the mangroves allowing limited access. The lower reaches of the creek opens into broad shallow areas containing mangrove islands and oyster bars with no well defined channel. Broad shallow embayments, evident from aerial photographs, also occur in the mangrove wetlands along Frog Creek. The majority of bottom sediments inspected in Frog Creek are fine soft sediments. Sediment sampling across the channel on transect No. I were predominantly muck (Table 15, Figure 63). At the north shoreline some sand- sized material was evident. From the middle of the channel to the south shore 1.5 to 2 feet of muck overlies medium-fine sand. The sediment had a hydrogen suifide odor indicating anoxic conditions with the samples. Along transect No. 2 the sediments contained more sand than at tcansect No. 1. The sandier sediment occurred in the deeper portions of the channel with the muddier sediment closer to the banks and the mangroves. Sediments sampled along transect No. 3 were predominantly a fine black muck. Towards the western shore, oysters had colonized the bottom creating a hard substrate interspersed with muck. Along transect No. 4, which ran f rom a small mangrove island in the center of the creek to the western shore, the sediments contained sof t black muck near shore and became somewhat sandier near the center of the transect. The majority of sediment samples contained a hydrogen sulfide odor. The fifth transect (transect No. 5) was collected, under the Bayshore Road bridge. Tht- bottom across nearly the entire bridge span consisted of oyster bars exposed during low tide. At high tide the water level was estimated at approximately 1.5 feet as indicated by the water and barnacle line on the bridge pilings. A narrow channel coursed through the oysters at the eastern end of the bridge span. Although no depths were recorded downstream of the Bayshure Road bridge, the entrance to Frog Creek from Terra Ceia Bay is very shallow, one foot or less at low tide with extensive oyster coverage* 107 N WATER SURFACE S 1325 TRANSECT NO.1 I"= 10, M/FS SFS M M M TRANSECT NO.2 N S 1445 10, M/FS M/FS FS FS M/FS TRANSECT NO.3 W E 1510 1"= 10, M/OY OY M/FS M M TRANSECT NO.4 W E 1550 M/OY M FS M/FS M 1'@_ 40' TRANSECT NO.5 W E OYSTER BAR 1615 V_- 3 0' QUALITATIVE SEDIMENT DESCRIPTION C Clay FS Medium to fine sand with little silt FS10Y Fine sand with oysters N Muck; no sand, black ooze M/FS Mucky fine sand OP Organic-peatlike RR Rip-rap SHS Shelly sand NOTES: SEE FIGURE 5 SSC Silty sand with some clay. Figure 63. CHANNEL PROFILES, FROG CREEK, TAMPA BAY REGIONAL APRIL 23, 1986 PLANNING COUNCIL Table 15. Sediments - Frog Creek TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL QUALITATIVE SEDIMENT DESCRIPTIONS FROG CREEK, 4/23/86 TRANSECT NO. 1 SALT/FRESH WATER INTERFACE N--)S,1325, WIDTH = 40' 0(0')----- MEDIUM-FINE SAND,MUCK 1/4(4')---MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND 1/2(5.5')-MUCK OVER MEDIUM-FINE SAND.SLIGHT H2S 3 / 4 (2.5' ) -MUCK (2') OVER MEDIUM-FINE SAND 4/4(0')---MUCK (1.5') OVER MEDIUM-FINE SAND. H2S TRANSECT NO. 2 N--)S, 1445, WIDRH - 40' 0(0')-----MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND, H2S 1/4(1') --- MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND, H2S 1/2(2')---SILT,MEDIUM-FINE SAND(90%),SHELL FRAGMENTS 3/4 (2.5' )--SILT, MEDIUM-FINE SAND(90%),SHELL FRAGMENTS 4/4(0') --- MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND, H2S TRANSECT NO. 3 E--)W, 1510, WIDTH - 45' 0(0') ------ MUCK 1/4 (1.75' ) -MUCK 1/2(3') ---- MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND 3/4 (2.75' )---HARD BOTTOM W/ OYSTERS 4/4(0') ---- MUCK W/ OYSTERS TRANSECT NO. 4 E-----)W, 1550, WIDTH = 2301 FROM OYSTER/MANGROVE ISLAND IN CHANNEL TO SHORE UPSTREAM OF BAYSHORE DR. BRIDGE 0(0')-----SLIGHTLY SANDY MUCK W/ SHELL, H2S 1/4(l.5')-MUDDY MEDIUM-FINE SAND (70%0), SHELL FRAGMENTS,SLIGHT H2S 1/2(1.5')-RELATIVELY CLEAN MEDIUM-FINE SAND, SHELL FRAGMENTS 3/4(2')---SLIGHTLY SANDY MUCK, H2S, SHELL 4/4(0') --- MUCK, SCATTERED OYSTERS, H2S TRANSECT NO. 5 1415, WIDTH = 190' UNDER BAYSHORE DR. BRIDGE OYSTER BARS ACROSS ENTIRE CHANNEL EXCEPT FOR NARROW CHANNEL AT EAST END OYSTERS EXPOSED AT LOW TIDE TIDE RANG ABOUT 1.5' AS MEASURED FROM BARNACLE LINE ON BRIDGE SUPPORTS Source: ESE, 1986 109 2.3.2 Biological and Chemical Characterization In situ water quality parameters for Frog Creek are listed in. Table 5, and sampling locations are depicted on Figure 62. Station 5 is located in the lower estuarine portion of the creek and Station 6 is located in the area of the saltwater/freshwater interface. Sampling at Station 5 was conducted just after the onset of flood tide. The measured dissolved oxygen concentration equalled 4.50 ppm. This is slightly below the 5.0 ppin standard. The salinity equalled 14.3 ppt, the pH equalled 65.95, and the secchi disk was observed to the bottom at 2.2 feet. Turbidity equalled 9.5 NTU and total suspended solids equalled 15 mg/1- The chlorophyll-a concentration averaged 7.85 ug/1 (Table 7). At Station 6 the dissolved oxygen concentration was measured at 8.60 ppm. The salinity measured 0.82 ppt and pH measured 7.92. The secchi disk was observed to the creek bottom *at 4 feet. Chlorophyll-a averaged 6.4 ug/1 and total suspended solids averaged 11 mg/I (Table 7). Very limited background data regarding water quality could be found for Frog Creek. The Florida Department of Natural Resources - Shellfish Section maintains water quality sampling stations in Bishops Harbor and surrounding areas but has no stations located on Frog Creek. Robert Sadler (FDNR personal communication) related that Terra Ceia Bay and Frog Creek have been closed to shellfishing due to excessive bacterial concentrations. A problem within the Frog Creek area with respect to water quality has been the use OE septic tanks primarily in the Rubonia area, however plans to Put Rubonia on a central sewer system have been proposed (Robert Sadler, personal communications). The estuarine portion of Frog Creek is dominated by extensive stands of mangroves. Black (Avicennia germinans), red (Rhizophora mangle), and white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa) are all prevalent. The red mangrove is dominant in the lower portion of the creek and has colonized oyster bars within the creek forming small mangrove islands. For approximately one mile upstream from the mouth of Frog Creek the mangrove wetlands extend approximately 2000 feet from their western border to their eastern border, with Frog Creek traveling roughly through the middle of the wetlands. Upstream, the mangrove wetlands gradually narrow to their disappearance just downstream of Station 5E. it can be observed from aerial photographs (1"=20001) that the wetlands surrounding Frog Creek are continuous with wetlands along Tampa Bay and Bishops Harbor. The wetlands within the 2000- foot band surrounding Frog Creek are estimated to equal approximately 215 acres* Blackrush (Juncus roemerianus), saltwort (Batis maritima), sea purslane (Sesuvium. portulacastrum), and cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) also occurred in the upper,reaches of the estuarine portion of' Frog Creek. At about the level of Station 5E, the aquatic vegetation cl.,ianged from an estuarine/marine flora to a brackish/freshwater flora. The aquatic vegetation along this creek segment is restricted primarily to the creek margins as the channel becomes well defined and deeply incised. At the level of Station 5E the freshwater algal, Waternet (Hydrodictlron sp.) became prevalent within the water column. This plant is indicative of hard water, 110 high pH systems and agricultural runoff. Cattails (Typha sp.) and American water lily (Crinum americanum) are also common where the slope of creek banks allowed establishment. The vegetation along Frog Creek from Station 5E and upstream is predominantly upland vegetation with aquatics limited to the creek margins. Fisft were collected in Frog Creek using both beach seine and gill net (Table 16). Two gill nets were set, one in the lower estuarine zone and one at the saltwater/freshwater interface at Station 5E. Beach seining was conducted near Station 5K in a mangrove area. Small estuarine forage fish collected at this location included tidewater silverside (Menidia beryllina), pinfish (Lagondon rhomboides), sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and rainwater killifish (Lucania parva). The gill net set in the lower creek netted mainly juvenile spot (Leiostomus xantnurus) ranging in size from 45 to 93 mm standard length. An unidentifiable catfish was also netted. The gill net set at Station 5E caught a wider variety of fish of both salt and freshwater origins. Fish caught at Station 5E included striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), a small tarpon (Megalops atlantica; 335 mm standard length), ladyfish (Elops saurus), spot (L. xanthurus), gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), white catfish (Ictalurus catus), and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). The collection of the tarpon and spot indicate the nursery use of the saltwater/ freshwater interface of tidal creeks by these recreationally important species. FDNR has reviewed Frog Creek as a potential area for the enhancement of the snook fishery. No snook were found, and Frog Creek has since been abandoned with respect to this program (Paul Carlson, personal communication). Just upstream of Station 5E, recreational fishermen questioned indicated they generally caught catfish, mullet and occasionally largemouth bass (INlicropterus salmoides), further indicating this area as the breakpoint between salt and freshwater. Observation of fish above this point revealed bluegill (Lepomis, macrochirus) and largemouth bass. Frog Creek is a highly productive area for blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) which were observed throughout the creek during the field survey. Blue crabs are recreatioaally fished at least as far upstream as just west 01 U.S. 41. Frog Creek has been used for commercial mullet and crab fishing (Kobert Sadler, FDNR personal communications). The lower estuarine portion of Frog Creek is highly productive with respect to oysters. Many large oyster bars occurred in the lower creek where the water is shallow. The extensive oyster areas extended up Frog Creek to about the level of Station 5A. These oyster areas however have not been opened to harvesting due to excessive bacterial concentrations monitored in the area. 2.3.3 Physical and Chemical Alterations Few physical alterations were apparent in the segment of Frog Creek surveyed. The only apparent alterations in the estuarine zone are the bridge crossing of Bayshore Urive across the creek mouth and the bridge crossing of the Interstate 75 spur just upstream* Several more bridge Table 16. TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL FISH COLLECTED IN FROG CREEK, APRIL 23, 1986 BEACH SEINE, TIDAL BRACKISH WATER GILL NET, TIDAL FRESH WATER GILL NET, TIDAL SALT WATER SPECIES STANDARD LENGTH Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) 338 Megiaoos atlantica (tarpon) 335 Elops saurus (ladyfish) 230 Leiostomus xantnurus (spot) 97 94 93 64 64 64 45 53 34 Brevoortia patronus (gulf menhaden) 156 169 Ictalurus catus (white catfish) 235 244 265 275 Lepisosteus oculatus (spotted gar) 238 256 Menidia beryilina (tidewater silverside) Lagodon rgomooides (pinfish) Cyprinogon variegatus (sheepshead minnow) Lucania Parva (rainwater killiffish) _______________________ Source: ESE, 1986 112 crossings occur across Frog Creek in the freshwater portion of the stream. No bulkheads, discharge pipes, or channelization appears to exist in Frog Creek downstream of U.S. 41. Approximately 3000 feet upstream of U.S. 41, Frog Creek has been channelized and runs through predominantly agricultural lands to the east. From aerial photography (1"=2000') Frog Creek appeared to function as a large drainage ditch as far east as Parrish, Florida, with numerous agricultural drainages entering along the way. No additional baseline water quality data was obtained for Frog Creek. Considering the predominantly agricultural watershed the creek drains, non-point discharges potentially could discharge high loads of nutrients, pesticides, herbicides, and sediments into the creek drainage system. Septic tank discharges may also contribute to bacterial and nutrient contamination of Frog Creek. One point source discharge into Frog Creek is listed by TBRPC (1977). This is the Coach House Mobile Home Park, with a discharge of 8.5 mg/l BOD and 12.4 mg/l suspended solids. The effluent is listed as having pretreatment by contact stabilization and discharges to a canal and into Frog Creek. 2.3.4 Habitat Assessment With respect to physical alterations, lower Frog Creek west of U.S. 41 has remained in relatively pristine condition. The lower estuarine section of Frog Creek has maintained extensive mangrove wetlands and is highly productive for oysters and blue crabs. Fishery collections near the saltwater/freshwater interface indicate that Frog Creek is utilized as a nursery area by important fish species such as tarpon and spot. Frog Creek has also been utilized by commercial mullet and crab fishermen. The mangrove wetlands of Frog Creek maintain a connection with wetlands bordering Bishops Harbor and Tampa Bay, indicating that Frog Creek is not an isolated system but an integral part of the larger Tampa Bay estuarine system. In addition to fisheries habitat, the mangrove wetlands of Frog Creek provide important bird habitat. Numerous coastal wading birds were observed along Frog Creek. Most significant was the location of nesting colonies for the yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea). This bird was found to be nesting along Frog Creek particularly on a small mangrove island in mid-creek where nests are quite numerous. Lower Frog Creek is also utilized by the roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), a rare species and listed as a Species of Special Concern by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (1985). 113 3.0 MANAGEMENT/RESTORATION PLAN FOR TAMPA BAY TIDAL CREEKS P- L 7 - Tidal Creeks to Tampa Bay vary greatly in condition. In addition, a wide variety of jurisdictional agencies are involved in the management of the creek systems. Appendix B illustrates the multifaceted authorities involved with management responsibilities in the Region. Previous chapters have identified the importance of tidal creek systems to the estuary of Tampa Bay. Developmental pressures within the watershed can potentially affect downstream conditions. Therefore, management considerations for Tampa Bay are dependent upon the status of tidal rivers and tributaries to the estuarine system. Due to the variety of governing organizations responsible for tidal creek and watershed management, it is necessary to acquire input from as many viewpoints as possible. A public workshop to develop management/restoration plans for each selected tidal tributary was held to facilitate local involvement. Local governments, environmental organizations and concerned citizens were invited to attend the public workshops. A summary of the ecological assessment was included with the public notice and additional background information was available through TBRPC1s Regional Information Center for review. 3.1 Result of the Workshops A variety of input was received during the public workshop sessions. Results were tabulated and organized into general policies to support the management objectives. The framework was then reviewed by the Natural Resource Committee of the Council's Agency on Bay Management. The framework is used as a general plan for all tidal tributaries and is illustrated on Table 64. The application for the recommended plan is expected to vary significantly depending upon the tidal creek condition and existing authority involvement. The management/restoration plan will be applied to the three selected tidal tributaries as a test for consistency. In addition, recommendations for stressed, restorable and natural tributaries will be offered. 115 Figu-e 64. Framework for management/restoration plan Objective: Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function CONSIDERA:rioN: Water Quality and Quantity Policy: Water Quality Improvement through control of non-point source pollutant loadings. a. Identify problem areas. b. Prioritize improvements. c. Coordination of agencies for improvements. Policy: minimize point-source pollutants. a. Develop ecological criteria for all discharges. b. Promote water recycling. c. Promote effluent disposal alternatives for problematic septic tank and package plant systems. Policy: Protect natural freshwater inputs a. Groundwater b. Surface water Policy: Develop consistent tidal creek monitoring and enforcement program. a. Water quality b. Habitat and species utilization CONSIDERATION: Habitat Utilization Policy: Protect or improve natural channel alignment and elevation requirements for maintenance of productivity. Policy: Preserve natural vegetation and fish and wildlife resources. a. Removal of exotic species. b. Encourage wetland creation. c. Restore impacted areas. Policy: Protection of archaeological sites. a. Identification of sites in all areas before develop- ment. b. Preservation or excavation prior to destruction. Objective: Develop consistent and compatible land use standards. Policy: Promote public land acquisition and conservation easements for environmentally sensitive lands. 116 Figure 64. Framework for management/restoration plan continued Policy: Encourage compatible low density development on adjacent uplana areas. a. Minimize development within the 25 year floodplain Policy: Encourage clustering of water oriented land uses. objective: Management of tidal creeks as an important public asset. Policy: Promote public education. a. Value of tidal tributaries. b. Prevent public degradation. c. minimize user conflicts. Policy: Promote compatible public access. 117 3.2 Allen Creek Plan Allen Creek represents a stressed tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. The system is impactea by residential development as identified by small pockets Of natural wetland habitat, increased runoff rates, and extensive bulkheading of the shoreline. 3.2.1 Objective: Haintenance/Restoration of Natural Function Policy: Water Quality Improvement Through Control of Non-point Source Pollutant Loadings Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater are currently undertaking a joint study with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) to assess existing conditions in Allen Creek. A two-year monitoring program will be established to: a) identify problem areas; and b) prioritize improvements. Results of the extensive joint study will be used to develop a specific management plan for the watershed and potentially will improve problem areas where necessary and practical. Additional ideas to promote non-point source management, generated by t he Allen Creek workshop, include the following: - Development of man-made borrow pits may eliminate their value as historic stormwater treatment areas. Currently isolated borrow pits remain unregulated and retention capacity is required in other locations or downstream water quality may be affected - Engineering design of stormwater management systems are not always carried out in an environmentally acceptable manner. Increased awareness during project design is required to resolve both concerns. As an example, grassed swales are more efficient then cement swales while serving similar purposes - The planting of trees designed to shade portions of the creek may reduce the potential of algal blooms within the water mass. Policy: Minimize Point - Source Pollutants Point-source discharges to Allen Creek will be examined during the joint water quality study. Identification of creek water quality problem areas will determine the feasibility of various improvements to the system. Additional consideration should be given to: - ecological criteria for all effluent disposal - promotion of water recycling 118 promotion of effluent disposal alternatives for septic systems and package plants. These considerations may not be an identifiable source of water quality degradation but add to the general decline in condition. Policy: Protection of Natural Freshwater Input The ecological assessment identified that calculated surface water discharges for Allen Creek are two to three times higher than Frog or Delaney Creeks despite the smaller area of the drainage basin. This high level of freshwater input is created by the large percentage of impervious surfaces within the watershed. The intensive urbanization of the watershed prevents major improvement of discharge quantities. Present and future development is regulated by local and regional agencies controlling surface runoff. When compared with other creeks, freshwater withdrawal from Allen Creek apparently is not a problem. Currently the creek does not serve as a potable water supply and future consumptive use would require regulatory review. The groundwater aquifers underlying Allen Creek are affected by saltwater intrusion. The intrusion is due to the close proximity of Tampa Bay and historic groundwater withdrawals. Intrusion prevents underlying groundwater use as a potable water supply. However, private individuals may continue to use groundwater for lawn irrigation. Policy: Develop Consistent Monitoring and Enforcement Program The joint study planned by Pinellas County, City of Clearwater and FDER will address monitoring of Allen Creek. The program is anticipated to identify water quality conditions, habitat and wildlife usage of the area. It is recommended that a continuous program be implemented for Allen Creek in order to monitor improvements to the ecosystem and the benefits to the estuarine system of Tampa Bay. Applicable comments received during the workshop include: - Historic fishkills are oftentimes reported too late for any valuable information to be obtained. Citizens should be encouraged to immediately report incidents and collect samples if possible - Monitoring of benthic invertebrates and fisheries can provide tools to determine the condition of the tidal tributary. Species diversity and abundance potentially can be compared with a natural system (e.g., Frog Creek). In order to prevent unnecessary impacts to Allen Creek and the Tampa Bay Estuary, a local enforcement program is recommended to be implemented in conjunction with the monitoring program. The local enforcement program can include: impact identification; enforcement of fisheries, boating, and water quality regulations; and, monitoring of creek conditions. 119 Policy: Protect or Improve Channel Alignment and Elevation Requirements for Maintenance of Productivity Historically, tributary configuration has been impacted by channel dredging, residential bulkheading and flood control ditching activities. Future maintenance dredging to remove sedimentation shoals may be necessary to retain existing access to residential developments. However, areas within Allen Creek that retain a natural alignment, as described in the environmental assessment, are recommended to be protected in their existing condition. Future bulkhead construction or channel maintenance must consider habitat utilization and rise in sea level during design and permitting. Policy: Preservation of Natural Vegetation and Fish and Wildlife Resources Tidal marsh systems within Allen Creek have decreased in area and continue to be encroached upon by development. The remaining systems of marsh and mangrove require preservation to support the fish and wildlife that utilize the area, while providing additional water quality benefits. It is recommended that a local program to remove exotic and nuisance species of plants be created for all lands within public ownership. In addition, increased public awareness is necessary for private landowners to understand the problem of continuous spreading of exotic plants in Florida and the effects on native vegetation. The ecological assessment of Allen Creek identified potential nursery habitat for important marine fish species such as Spanish Mackerel. Additional seasonal fisheries sampling would yield important information on marine fish species utilizing Allen Creek. It is essential to retain existing natural wetland systems, channel alignment and water quality to protect the natural productivity of the area. Incentive* programs are necessary to improve wildlife habitat in the area. Due to the stressed condition of the creek, many potential restoration sites are slated for development. Additional streambed alteration and extensive bulkheads prevent major restoration efforts. However, new construction activity can include habitat establishment as part of project design, if local incentives are applied. Wetland destruction is often the result of illegal dredge or fill activities. Cleanup efforts are often required by state enforcement programs. Additional restoration or creation may be possible through the Pinellas County Fisheries Habitat Restoration Plan (FDNR), the Pollution Recovery Trust Fund (FDER), or other local programs and organizations. Policy: Protection of Archaeological Sites Within the drainage basin of Allen Creek, the majority of the! land area has been developed. All new development is required to perform an archaeological survey. Identified sites are recommended to be evaluated in 120 terms of State of Florida or Federal criteria for significance to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible sites must either be preserved or excavated prior to destruction. 3.2.2. Objective: Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards Policy: Promote Public Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements for Environmentally Sensitive Lands The majority of suitable land surrounding Allen Creek is developed. The remaining marsh systems within the creek alignment are isolated or abutting residential areas. Public acquisition of the remaining lands may not be necessary due to existing regulatory protection measures. However, acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands for additional habitat creation and increased public usage and awareness should be promoted at the local and state level. Input during the workshop process indicated a lack of public access for fishermen, which has resulted in property damage by attempts to gain creek access. Public ownership is recommended to alleviate user conflicts and degradation by the creation of a local park. Policy: Encourage Compatible Low Density Development on Adjacent Upland Areas This management tool may not apply for Allen Creek. The stressed tidal tributary is approaching build-out along the adjacent upland areas. Policy: Encourage Clustering of Water-Oriented Land Uses Uue to the intensive development along Allen Creek, the encouragement of clustering water-oriented uses would be after the fact. A marina does exist near the creek mouth and is limited by U.S. 19 and sensitive natural areas for any additional major expansion. Existing development and channel depth will restrict any new marina siting. 3.2.3. Objective: Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset Policy: Promote Public Education With intensive residential development occurring on Allen Creek it is important to educate the general public to the significance of tidal tributaries with respect to water quality and habitat. In addition, a major value of tributaries supporting the Tampa Bay Estuary is in providing freshwater Input, food source, protection from predators and nursery habitat. Programs or brochures which relate the importance of even small creeks and marshes can be made available through the school systems or local media. Development within the watershed creates user conflicts and misuse by the public. Education is additionally necessary to prevent casual impacts that can accumulate into a serious problem. Examples include: - bagging of lawn clippings - washing cars on the lawn instead of street - maintenance of mangroves or salt marsh along the shoreline - removal of exotic plant species. Flyers for property owners can be distributed through local publications or the U.S. mail service. Policy: Promote Compatible Public Access Presently public access is limited to Allen Creek due to adjacent residential development, lack of local parks, and depth of channel for boating uses. Additional boating access will require the channel alterations and shoal removal, and displacement of habitat and benthic invertebrates. This is considered to be incompatible with.management of the remaining resources. However, the provision of water frontage for park development can alleviate existing user conflicts along the creek, promote public awareness and maintain natural ecosystems. 122 3.3 Delaney Creek Plan Delaney Creek is classified as a stressed tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. The lower segment of the drainage basin contains industrial land use with predominately agriculture in the upper basin area. The Delaney Creek area is experiencing rapid development created by the opening of Interstate 75. T Hajor impacts to the creek are associated with channelization, dredge and fill activities, industrial discharges and non-point source pollutants. 3.3.1. Objective: Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function Policy: Water quality Improvements through Control of Non-Point Source Pollutant Loadings The environmental assessment identified that the Delaney Creek drainage area is over twice the size of Allen Creek with almost half the discharge rate. In addition, workshop participants indicated that underlying clay layers create flooding conditions within the basin. Due to historic flooding problems, Hillsborough County classifies the area as volume sensitive and requires additional retention of stormwater. To address watershed flooding conditions, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has completed the Delaney Creek Stormwater Management Master Plan (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., Inc., 1986). Figures 65 and 66 show the preferred plan capital improvements recommend for the creek. The Stormwater Management Plan is directed toward control of flood conditions within the watershed. Additional workshop recommendations addressing the master plan include: - Review of the Stormwater Management Master Plan by TBRPC's Agency on Bay Management - Treatment of stormwater runoff b efore it enters the creek - Sound environmental practices to control flooding should be implemented - Due to the volume sensitivity of the area, additional retrofitting of specific flood prone areas may be necessary. SWFWMD has addressed flood maintenance measures without concern for runoff water quality. Therefore, it is recommended that Hillsborough County include the Delaney Creek watershed in the Alafia River Study. In addition, the Tampa Port Authority (TPA) can assist the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (HCEPC) in an extensive water quality study of Delaney Creek to; - identify problem areas - prioritize improvements 123 Figure 65. Preferred capital improvements plan west of 78th street (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., Inc., 1986) SEDIMENT REMOVAL OR DESNA=ING BANK SHAPING C11 &N D3 140 CA USEVA Y"BL VD. MBUrAfir A' .0 *C6 rii 36th A VE. 10+ WA TERSHED 750 BOUNDARY 0 130 SCALE IN FEET CHIOTO SINCHOFWN & ASSOCIATES INC Zater A@r"Unws and Civil Engineering Figure 66. Preferred capital improvements plan east of 78th street (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., Inc., 1986) BANK SHAPINC -0 C% tA CIL .40+00 30-000 tA C4 00 30*00 IP K) Un 0*0 C4 jV 01 7 CA:ISEVA Y BL V.D. 0SCALE IN FEET 1500 MOTO. SIAVHOFXN & ASSOCIATES. INC VA TERSHED Prater Rr"urwvs and Civa Engineering BOUNDARY coordinate the responsible agencies to tmplement improvements. Currently FDER is working on the Wasteload Allocation Study for Delaney Creek. Therefore, the TPA/HCEPC water quality study should focus on non- point source water quality problems and improvements. Policy: Minimize Point-Source Pollutants Delaney Creek is classified as a Class III body of water by FDER. Previous water quality monitoring programs have shown dissolved oxygen determinations to be below the 5.0 mg/1 Class III standard. Nitram, Inc. is currently being reviewed by the Enforcement Branch of FDER for problems with effluent disposal to Delaney Creek. Past and present industrial discharges have impacted water quality in the creek and potentially within Tampa Bay. The FDER is working on a point source Wasteload Allocation Study for Delaney Creek to determine effluent limits to be received by the tidal tributary. Additional considerations to be incorporated in the study include: - Consideration of the background non-point source water quality with respect to the Class III water quality standards - Effluent limits that are consistent with ecological systems. It is anticipated that improvements in industrial effluent: loadings to Delaney Creek will help alleviate degradation of water quality conditions. Policy: Protect Natural Freshwater Inputs Due to the nature of the confining clay layer underlying the Delaney Creek area, base flow is considered to be predominantly derived from the shallow aquifer. Large quantities of freshwater are additionally provided by stormwater runoff. Delaney Creek does not currently serve as a source of potable water. Small quantities of freshwater may be used for agricultural irrigation or fish farm production. Major freshwater withdrawals would alter the ecological systems within the creek and would require careful evaluation by responsible regulatory agencies. Policy: Develop Consistent Tidal Creek Monitoring and Enforcement Program It is essential within a stressed tidal tributary, such as Delaney Creek, that a thorough monitoring program be established to maintain productive ecosystems and water quality. The programs recommended for the FDER and HCEPC/TPA will evaluate and potentially improve existing conditions. Follow-up monitoring will be necessary to evaluate improvements and prevent future degradations. Development within the Delaney Creek watershed is expected to accelerate in the very near future. Figure 53 identifies four Developments of Regional 126 Impact currently in various stages of review by TBRPC. In addition, the ongoing water quality degradation and dredge and fill activities require a local enforcement program to reduce the impacts to the creek system. Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission has been recommended as the agency to undertake the long term monitoring and enforcement of creek conditions. The HCEPC can additionally monitor watershed development, instream water quality impacts, and illegal activities. A single local authority is ideal in order to maintain consistent review of conditions and enf orcement. Policy: Protect or Improve Natural Channel Alignment and Elevation Requirements for Maintenance of Productivity The remaining natural estuarine areas identified in the environmental assessment should be preserved in its existing condition. The meandering alignment in areas that are not channelized allow natural sedimentation and pollutant removal by the wetland vegetation. Workshop participants recommended that TBRPC's Agency on Bay Management review the Delaney Creek Stormwater Management Master Plan (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., Inc., 1986). Potential Master Plan improvement may include: - widening of the creek banks as opposed to deepening of the channel - bank shaping of the creek can require slopes that will allow beneficial establishment of aquatic vegetation - wetland habitat creation - additional ecological criteria for the design of channel alignment. Through the Development of Regional Impact Review, TBRPC should require: - bank shaping for wetland vegetation establishment - any new channel alignment to require meandering orientation - mitigation can include wetland creation adjacent to Delaney Creek. Similar considerations can be applied by local governments, TBRPC and FDER through Dredge/Fill Permit Application reviews. Additional improvement locations that are identified in the environmental assessment include: - Between Causeway Boulevard and U.S. 41, spoil piles along the creek have created steep side slopes. Bank reshaping or berm removal can provide for additional vegetational establishment - Removal of the rubble below the Seaboard Coast Line railroad trestle. 127 Policy: Preserve Natural Vegetation and Fish and Wildlife Resources Preservation of natural ecosystems remaining in Delaney Creek will maintain habitat and nursery areas for many commercially and recreationally important species of fish and shellfish. Due to the stressed nature of Delaney Creek, natural vegetation and habitat productivity can be improved by: - Removal of exotic species of plants on all public lands. Local incentive programs and education for exotic plant removal on private lands - Removal of battery casing bulkhead below U.S. 41 as identified in the environmental assessment - Removal of junk cars and trash from auto junk yard located within the Juncus marsh system upstream of U.S. 41. Wetland creation will provide additional fish and wildlife habitat to the creek system. It is recommended that Hillsborough County establish a similar program as Pasco, Pinellas, and Manatee Counties by creating a gill net license fee for fish habitat research and restoration. Funds from the recommended program can be used to restore impacted areas or create new habitat along tidal tributaries, such as Delaney Creek. Additionally the Tampa Port Authority and/or Hillsborough County could establish a fund.for habitat restoration/creation projects. Fisheries sampling at the saltwater-freshwater interface in Delaney Creek yielded six juvenile redfish, as detailed in the environmental assessment. The collection of these recreationally important species in the creek indicates that the creek is serving as a nursery area. It is essential to retain the remaining natural wetland areas and channel configuration to maintain the supporting habitat for fish and wildlife. Additional supporting habitat can be created by local and state organizations. Incentive programs are necessary for developments to set aside not only environmentally sensitive wetlands but adjacent uplands as a buffer from development. Mitigation for environmental impacts should consider potential fish and wildlife usage in project design. Policy: Protection of Archaeological Sites Future growth is anticipated to be predominantly located in the agricultural areas of the watershed. All new development should be required to: - Identify archaeological sites in all areas before development - Preserve or excavate significant sites prior to destruction. 128 3.3.2 Ob .ective: Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards Policy: Promote Public Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements for Environmentally Sensitive Lands. The majority of land within the Delaney Creek drainage basin has been historically altered for agricultural, industrial or residential uses. Future alteration of land use (e.g., agriculture to residential) will require regulatory reviews. Future channel improvements by SWFWMD will require easements along the creek alignment for access. It is recommended that the Stormwater Management Haster Plan (Ghioto, Singhofen & Assoc., Inc., 1986) be expanded to include setting aside the easement to provide a buffer area along the creek corridor. In addition, funds may be acquired from the Save Our River program or State Conservation and Recreational Lands program (CARL) for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands on Delaney Creek. Policy: Encourage Compatible Low Density Development on Adjacent Upland Areas Future development practices within the Delaney Creek area are addressed in the Rillsborough County Interstate 75 Corridor Plan. New development will require additional management practices due to the volume sensitive nature of the area. Uther considerations recommended during the public workshop include: - Density Credits to be applied for wetland protection or creation - Prevent development within the 25-year floodplain. Policy: Encourage Clustering of Water Oriented Land Uses The lower tidal segment of Delaney Creek is the only section navigable for small boat traffic. The remaining creek segments may be passible with a canoe or small jon boat. The middle and upper segments have been channelized for drainage enhancement but remain relatively narrow. Potentially, conditions can be improved to enhance areas along Delaney Creek and provide recreational benefits, with proper management. Future developments should consider the value that tidal tributaries intrinsically provide. Design considerations to facilitate policy implementation would include: - developmentof buifer areas - setback requirements for call structures and buildings to maintain visual aesthetics within the creek alignment - clustering of water-oriented facilities and structures which cross the creek (roadways, watermains, wires, etc.). 129 3.3.3 Objective: Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset Policy: Promote Public Education Delaney Creek is currently stressed from industrial and agricultural development. Future growth in the area will alter historic agricultural lands for more intensive developments. . It is critical that future development occur in an environmentally sensitive manners Education and regulation of Delaney Creek is recommended to emphasize the value of tidal tributaries as vital systems supporting the Tampa Bay estuary. Existing and planned residential areas can be enlightened by providing educational material through local schools, clubs and the media. The education program should focus upon: - value of tidal tributaries - prevention of unnecessary public degradation. by implementing simplistic measures of protection (same as Allen Creek) - minimization of user conflicts. Policy: Promote Compatible Public Access Currently the lower tidal segment of the creek is navigable and used for commercial blue crab harvesting. Upstream segments are not passable due to shoaling or other features. Increased boating activity is not considered a ,compatible use for the stressed tidal tributary. However, the construction of a local park on Delaney Creek for passive recreation is desirable. With the increase in development and associated influx of residents will come the need for additional green space. 130 3.4 Frog Creek Plan Located within Manatee County, Frog Creek represents a natural tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. The lower tidal section of the creek is relatively pristine with only minor impacts derived from several roadway crossings. The upper watershed is dominated by agricultural activities, with limited residential development. Within the agricultural areas the creek segment has been channelized to facilitate drainage. Water quality within Frog Creek is affected by non-point source pollutant loadings and is currently closed to public shellfish harvesting. During the public workshop, participants indicated that the lower segment of Frog Creek retains a tidal connection through the extensive mangrove forest to Bishop Harbor. Since the area functions as one natural system, the tidal expanse to Bishop Harbor is included within the management recommendations. 3.4.1 Ob ective: Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function Policy: Water Quality Improvement through Control of Non-Point Source Pollutant Loadings The estuarine portion of Frog Creek is classified as a natural tidal tributary to Tampa Bay. However, bacterial contamination has closed Terra Ceia Bay and Frog Creek to shellfish harvesting. In addition the environmental assessment identified quantities of the freshwater alga Water-net (Hydrodictyon sp.), which is indicative of agricultural runoff. Considering the agricultural nature o 'f the watershed, rainwater runoff could potentially discharge high loads of nutrients, pesticides, herbicides, and sediments into the creek system. Septic tank discharge may also contribute to bacterial and nutrient contamination of Frog Creek. The participants of the creek workshop recommended that, through the U. S. Department of Agriculture Department, the Soil Conservation Service should develop a program to work with the agriculture industry in developing conservation plans minimizing non-point source pollutants. To prevent further water quality degradation and restore safe shellfish harvesting in the area, a water quality monitoring program is required. The program can be designed to determine the impacts of non-point source pollutants to the creek system derived from: - agricultural areas - sod farms - fish farms - septic tanks. The monitoring program would best be implemented by Manatee County and can address the following: 131 identification of problem areas prioritization of improvements coordination of responsible agencies for implementation of improvements. Policy: Minimize Point Source Pollutants Only one point source discharge is identified in the environmental assessment. The recommended monitoring program can determine its affect on the Frog Creek system. Due to the undeveloped and agricultural nature of the watershed several protective recommendations are identified: - No new surface water discharge should be allowed - No new septic systems should be allowed within 2,000 feet of Frog Creek or its tributaries - Effluent disposal alternatives for existing facilities shall be evaluated. The Manatee County Public Works Department is eligible to utilize Section 201 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act funds to provide sewer line service in the watershed. Policy: Protect Natural Freshwater Inputs Currently, Frog Creek is not used as a source of potable water. Workshop participants identified a plan by the City of Palmetto to dam off Frog Creek. In order to retain the estuarine character of Frog Creek and Tampa Bay this action is not recommended. Freshwater flows derived from the drainage basin provide highly productive environments when diluted with marine sea waters. The tidally influenced portion of Frog Creek contains extensive stands of mangroves and oyster bars, which in turn are utilized by a variety of birds, fish, crustaceans and others. Protection of freshwater input is imperative to retain the natural ecosystems of Frog Creek. Protective measures to maintain freshwater flows to Frog Creek include: - prohibit new surface water withdrawals - promotion of water recycling for all existing facilities to minimize freshwater withdrawals. Policy: Develop Consistent Tidal Creek Monitoring and Enforcement Program To prevent degradation within natural tidal creek systems a creek monitoring program is recommended. The program can be designed to include: 132 - water quality and quantity - habitat and species utilization - long-term benthic infaunal analysis which can serve as a comparison for stressed and restorable tributaries within the Tampa Bay estuary. In addition, an enforcement program is recommended to be implemented by the same organization to maintain consistent management of the creek system. The enforcement program can address: - dredge and fill activities - shellfish harvesting and fishing regulations - water quality violations - protection of archaeological sites. The monitoring and enforcement program would best be implemented through Manatee County. The county can carry out the enforcement role by identifying problem areas to responsible regulatory agencies. Policy: Protect or Improve Natural Channel Alignment and Elevation Requirements for Maintenance of Productivity Due to natural conditions within the tidally influenced portion of Frog Creek, management of productivity is centered around preservation )E existing conditions. Channel alignment and elevation requirements can be protected by the following recommended guidelines: - No new channelization or dredging activities allowed below U.S. 41 bridge - Preservation of all natural bank slopes and the addition of upland buffers to prevent developmental encroachment and protect ecological systems during sea level rise. Policy: Preserve Natural Vegetation and Fish and Wildlife Resources The natural areas within the tidally influenced portion of Frog Creek are recommended to be preserved as a whole. Currently the area contains an extensive system of mangroves, salt marsh and oyster bar communities supporting an abundance of fish and wildlife. Additional enhancement of the area should be encouraged and can include the following: - Removal of exotic species and prevention of additional encroachment - Removal of illegal dump sites (trash, brush, etc.) 133 Restoration of impacted areas. Workshop participants identified historic dikes located between Bishops Harbor and Frog Creek. Enhancement of tidal circulation and freshwater sheet flows can be accomplished by removing portions of the dike. The diversity of fish and wildlife within Frog Creek is identified within the environmental assessment. Numerous roseate spoonbill were observed in the lower tidal segment. Several nesting colonies of yellow-crowned night herons existed on mangrove islands within the creek. In addition, the collection of tarpon, ladyfish, mullet, gulf menhaden and spotted gar at the freshwater-saltwater interface identifies the utilization of Frog Creek by estuarine and freshwater fish species. Preservation of the natural habitat is imperative to maintain suitable conditions for fish and wildlife populations. Policy: Protection of Archaeological Sites Several shell mounds were observed directly adjacent to Frog Creek during the site visit. In addition, participants of the creek workshop identified areas of historic and prehistoric value. Many of the prehistoric sites are reported to date around 1500 BC and occur below the water level. Protective recommendations for identified and potential sites include: - Information on site locations should not be published to prevent vandalism and loss of the irreplaceable resource - Before development takes place within the watershed an archaeological survey should be accomplished on all 'Lands (including wetlands) to identify sites - Preservation or excavation prior to destruction of significant sites. Objective: Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards Policy: Promote Public Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements for Environmentally Sensitive Lands Strong recommendations were received during the workshop to explore the purchase of the Terra Ceia Isles development for public conservation (Figure 67). Currently the land contains extensive natural areas with very little infrastructure for intensive development. Public acquisition can be partially accomplished with funds from the CARL program. The development has received a Binding Letter of Interpretation and is slated for development. Public acquisition of the property will protect the environmentally sensitive lands while providing additional passive recreation to the area. Additional workshop recommendations suggested that conservation easements should be implemented along Frog Creek to provide a buffer area from future development and provide public access. Buffer conservation should not be used as mitigation for environmental impacts. 134 Figure 67. Master development plan for Terra Ceia Isles KID" RISE REGULATION asI GQI@F COURSE . . . . . . MID 1141111 "lam Rise 5136MMU CARDEN WIN I AP.ARTMINTS !k.ft 1'.4011), J, Do.. 8 12 Y3 FFUM TOWNHOU 7 MWO CLUSIXII MID mrsi. HOUSING 11011 Not* 40; IT 40 ; I - - M") RISE i 619 .4 ink 71. 30@i COMMERCIAL CLUSTEW GARDEN APARTMENT$ IOWHHO@SES 300,@I, 112 V -CLUST9 HOUSING Weir ;rQQ 76-1. Ila 'SCHOOL SITE COIMKRCIAL MID mist 301 -N. MID 89SZE - 264 .-,.4 MEDICAL- GAIIII)FIN -c"KIER AVANT AjHTS HOUSING r 0 S '@Q Jaw- low G&ROE. -31 1. ."G. mist 7H` G.'A.0 TO-O.Sts GA.09. .41 MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN for: 09.1flo-C., CORP TERRA CEIA ISLES 0 MANATEE COUNTY. FLORWA Source: Binding Letter of Interpretation (BLI) Application 1985 1 Policy: Encourage Compatible Low Density Development on Adjacent Upland Areas The majority of the Frog Creek drainage basin contains agricultural or undeveloped lands. The nature of the watershed allows protective measures to be implemented before development occurs. Several recommendations have been developed to maintain the natural environmental systems of Frog Creek and include: - Prevention of all development within the 25-year flood zone - The limits of the Aquatic Preserve and Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) boundary must be extended above the Mean High Water (MHW) line to the landward extent of State Waters (defined by jurisdictional vegetation and soils). Currently the designations only protect a portion of the jurisdictional wetlands and not the whole systems (example: the high salt marsh systems remain unprotected). This recommendation should further be explored through the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Regulation and the Agency on Bay Management - Land Use zoning within the Frog Creek watershed should retain the existing agricultural designation - Tax incentives should be established for preservation of environmentally sensitive lands. However wetlands are not recommended to be traded for additional density zoning credits. Policy: Encourage Clustering of Water-Oriented Land Uses The only physical alterations of the estuarine portion, identified in the environmental assessment, are the bridge crossings of Bayshore Drive and the interstate 75 spur across the creek mouth. The crossings are adjacent to each other and future infrastructure needs are recommended to utilize this location to cluster overhead crossings. The natural, undevelopea nature of the tidally influenced portion of the creek should be retained as a public amenity. Boating is limited by the shallow depth of the creek. Intensive development along stretches of Frog Creek should be prohibited. 3.4.3 Objective: Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset Policy: Promote Public Education Frog Creek currently remains relatively undeveloped. The! creek system offers the opportunity for the public to identify with the value of natural tidal tributaries to Tampa Bay. Passive development of a local park can facilitate public interaction with the natural communities of Frog Creek with: 136 - boardwalks through conservation areas - limited canoe access - education center for local schools and clubs. Education of the public and local residents should include: - the value of natural tidal tributaries - the affects of stressed tributaries - preventative maintenance for Frog Creek (public degradation and user conflicts). Policy: Promote Compatible Public Access Due to the limited depths within Frog Creek, public access can best be provided through the development of a public park. Boat ramps or dredging should be discouraged. The extensive oyster bars existing within the lower estuarine segment of Frog Creek currently cannot be utilized due to bacterial contamination. This represents loss of a natural resource available to the public. Improvements in water quality can potentially result in a reopening of the area to public shellfish harvesting. 137 3.5 Additional Applications of the Management/Restoration Plan 3.5.1 Objective: Maintenance/Restoration of Natural Function Policy: Water Quality Improvements through Control of Non-Point Source Pollutants Urban and agricultural stormwater runoff have been identified as the major sources of water pollution in Tampa Bay, with the former apparently predominating (TBRPC, 1978 and 1985). All tidal tributaries draining to Tampa Bay are affected by non-point source pollutants. Reductions in the stormwater pollutant loadings to Tampa Bay can occur through stormwater legislation, such as House Bill 242 (1985). Specific recommendations for future legislation must include: - the establishment of priorities and time frames for all developed areas - the inclusion of agricultural areas in legislation and the permitting process. Non-point source pollutant loadings have impacted the Tampa Bay estuary by historic development practices, wetland draining, tributary channelization, impervious surfaces, etc.). Many sources will require retrofitting to improve water quality conditions. Stormwater pollution abatement will benefit all tidal tributaries in the Tampa Bay Region. Policy; Minimize Point-source Pollutants Stressed tidal tributaries to Tampa Bay are often affected by industrial and municipal discharges to the creek systems, examples include Joe's, Allen, Rocky, Delaney, and Wares Creeks. Management considerations for stressed tributaries shall be orientated toward minimizing water quality impacts to the downstream systems. Recommendations include: - develop ecological criteria for all discharges - promote effluent disposal alternatives - promote water recycling. Restorable tidal tributaries offer the potential for improvement. All measures should be taken to improve or eliminate point discharge quantities. Further protective measures can include prevention of any new surface water discharge within restorable creek watersheds. Natural tributaries within the Tampa Bay Region receive point source discharges while retaining the ecological character of a natural system (examples include Piney Point and Frog Creeks). Further degradation of natural conditions must be prevented. Effluent discharge alternatives for point source discharges to natural systems are recommended to be 138 implemented. All new surface water discharge to natural tidal tributaries should be prohibited. Policy: Protect Natural Freshwater Inputs Many tributaries to Tampa Bay are in a stressed condition due to disruption of natural freshwater flows. Alligator Creek has lost the natural connection to Old Tampa Bay by the installation of an elevated weir. McKay Creek is dammed to form Taylor Lake. In addition, Tinny Creek has been bypassed with a large open drainage ditch to Tampa Bay. Alteration of freshwater flow down the tidal tributary can eliminate the creek's estuarine system (Alligator Creek) or disrupt the natural movement of the saltwater- freshwater interface and associated environmental systems. Maintenance or restoration of natural freshwater inputs are vital to the estuarine system. Stressed systems should be evaluated with respect to the importance of limiting freshwater (water supply, residential lake, etc.) or the value of downstream ecosystems. Restoration of flows is recommended where practical and beneficial results can be identified. Restorable creek systems can be improved through regulation of freshwater flows. Areas containing large quantities of impervious surfaces will benefit by stormwater retention. Dammed or rerouted systems can be designed to follow natural drainage features and acquire typical runoff volumes. Channel "A", for example, has circumvented freshwater flows down Rocky Creek and isolated adjacent wetland systems. Natural freshwater sheetflow through tidal marsh systems can be restored by lowering portions or all of the berm along Channel "A" to allow freshwater/tidal inundation. Natural Tampa Bay tributaries should retain freshwater inputs through preservation. Disruption of freshwater flows can potentially degrade the natural ecosystems and protective measures should be taken to: - Prevent large surface water withdrawals - Maintain natural base flow quantities - Prevent salinity barriers, dams or other flow impediments. Policy: Develop Consistent Tidal Creek Monitoring Program The value of tidal tributaries to estuarine systems is readily apparent but often overlooked. Historic research activities have focused upon larger rivers and tributaries. Little consistent information has been accumulated for the conditions within smaller tributaries feeding the Tampa Bay estuary. Tidal creek monitoring programs should include water quality and biological analysis. Tidal creek monitoring programs are required for stressed tributaries to prevent further degradation to the creek and bay systems. Programs developed for restorable tributaries can monitor and identify improvements to the system that can then be applied to other tributaries. Monitoring and enforcement programs for natural systeats can prevent alterations and provide baseline information for creek management objectives. 139 Policy: Protect or Improve Natural Channel Alignment and Elevation Requirements for Maintenance of Productivity The environmental assessment identified that stressed tidal tributaries to Tampa Bay continue to provide habitat for fish and wildlife usage. Maintenance of existing natural systems and improvement where possible will continue to maintain and/or increase the potential for wildlife to utilize stressed tributaries. Restorable tributaries provide the greatest potential for improvement through channel configuration and elevation alterations. Fish Creek has been channelized in an extensive drainage system around Tampa International Airport. The lower segment of Broad Creek retains a natural tidal marsh system while the middle and upper segments have been channelized for drainage from MacDill Air Force Base. Both tidal creek systems can be improved by realignment or lowering of the berms for additional creation of wetland acreage while maintaining drainage for the airports. Bullfrog Creek currently has moderate habitat loss through piecemeal development. The Future of Tampa Bay (TBRPC, 1985) recommended that Hillsborough County should amend its comprehensive plan to tighten control of shoreline uses and establish incentives for private landowners to restore the shoreline. Little Redfish Creek has been impacted by illegal filling activities by the Hendry Corporation during the development of Port Manatee. Currently FDER is applying monies from the Pollution Recovery Trust Fund for restoration in the area. One area of restoration under consideration is removing silt from the creek bottom and reestablishing a tidal connection with adjacent isolated ponds. The program has the potential to restore habitat available for fish and wildlife uses. Natural tributaries retain the requirements for habitat environments. Often small areas for restoration exist within the creek system. The focus of attention within natural systems is oriented toward preservation. Policy: Preserve Natural Vegetation and Fish and Wildlife Resources Stressed creek systems normally retain pockets of natural vegetation utilized by local fish and wildlife populations. If productivity is to be maintained in stressed tributaries it is imperative to protect the natural areas from continued developmental encroachment. Restorable tributaries can be improved to provide conditions that are advantageous to fish and wildlife usage. The addition of natural vegetation and habitat will help to buffer cultural shocks to the estuary system. Local and regional programs are necessary to restore the impacted areas and create additional habitat. The natural ecosystems within tidal tributaries should be protected to provide natural habitat for fish and wildlife. In addi'tion, wildlife corridors are recommended to combine natural habitats together for a more effective and diverse system. The proximity of Cockroach and Piney Point Creeks, two tributaries classified as natural, to each other allow wildlife populations to intermix and form a more productive ecosystem. Protection of 140 marsh and open green space is necessary to maintain a wildlife corridor between the tidal tributaries. Policy: Protection of Archaeological Sites The provision for protection of archaeological sites is applicable to all tributaries and is independent of current creek condition. Archaeological surveys are currently required and accomplished before development. Identified sites are evaluated by the State of Florida or federal criteria for significance to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Sites meeting the criteria must either be preserved or excavated prior to destruction. Additional recommendations include survey of wetlands prior to development. 3.5.2 Objective:Develop Consistent and Compatible Land Use Standards Policy: Promote Public Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements for Environmentally Sensitive Lands Tributaries in stressed conditions around Tampa Bay are often encroached upon by adjacent development (e.g., Allen Creek). Public land acquisition of available sensitive lands can be accomplished to: - preserve the remaining natural system - promote habitat creation - increase public utilization for recreation. Creek systems currently classified as restorable may require transfer of ownership to the public to allow restoration. Areas along Archie Creek are currently within private ownership (Gardinier, Inc.). Restoration of channel alignment and bank configuration can improve conditions within the creek system. Acquisition of adjacent areas into public ownership can facilitate restoration efforts and prevent further encroachment. Public land acquisition and implementation of conservation easements will protect environmentally sensitive systems within natural tidal tributaries. Undeveloped areas can be set aside for future generations of inhabitants (people and wildlife) to utilize. Buffer easements established before development can provide public access, prevent developmental encroachments, and buffer the impacts of a rise in sea-level. As previously mentioned, the purchase of Terra Ceia Isles by the CARL Program can prevent unsuitable development in an environmentally sensitive area along Frog Creek. In addition, the acquisition of upland areas between Cockroach and Piney Point Creeks can: - maintain a wildlife corridor - preserve the uplands between two natural tributaries - provide passive recreation 141 - allow restoration of historic agricultural dikes - maintain natural zonation of wetlands during sea level rise. Policy: Encourage Compatible Low Density 6Development on Adjacent Upland Areas Stressed creeks to Tampa Bay have historical development that may limit future management of adjacent upland areas. Creeks impacted by water quality degradation should consider setbacks or buffer zones to allow wetland creation that will help buffer impacts to the-estuarine system. New development on stressed tributaries should be very limited or prohibited within the 25-year flood plain. Restorable tributaries should prohibit development within the 25-year flood plain to accomplish necessary improvements to the creek. In addition, low density development adjacent to the creek will prevent encroachment to the tributary after potential restoration processes have been completed. Natural systems are necessary to be preserved or protected from intensive development. Nine natural tributaries are identified in the three county region. Protection of the remaining unique systems through low intensity zoning or preservation is required. Policy: Encourage Clustering of Water-Oriented Land Uses Clustering of water dependent land uses within stressed creek systems is often after-the-fact management. For restorable and stressed tributaries to Tampa Bay new development should utilize existing alterations during design. Examples include: - marina siting is encouraged along existing channels with good circulation and sufficient natural depth. Environmental impacts must be minimized - Overhead crossings (roads, infrastructure, etc.) should be clustered or follow existing routes - Industrial development utilizing surface waters must prevent environmental degradations and long term impacts. Natural systems allow development of more stringent preventive management measurements and can include: - no new development in environmentally sensitive areas - overhead cross ings can be clustered - infrastructure can travel under the creek to promote long- term aesthetic qualities. 142 3.5.3 Objective: Management of Tidal Creeks as an Important Public Asset Policy: Promote Public Education The focus of education for the general public should include: - the intrinsic value of tidal tributaries - prevention of public degradations - minimization of user conflicts. Due to developmental pressures occurring upon stressed creek systems, all three recommendations apply. Generally, education will help prevent unnecessary impacts to downstream systems. Restorable tributaries diffqr by providing increased awareness on ways man can improve conditions within tributaries and affects on the Tampa Bay estuary. Restoration can improve the quality of life by: - improving water quality for water contact sports, fish and shellfish harvesting and scenic aesthetic - additional wetland creation potentially can provide: � utilization by fish and wildlife � buffering of water quality impacts � prevention of erosion � scenic amenity. Natural tidal tributaries can be utilized for identification of unaltered conditions. Baseline information and education must have a control for comparison. Creek systems in natural condition will provide the model for restoration of impacted systems. Policy: Promote Compatible Public Access Public access is necessary for all conditions of tidal creeks but is limited by proximity to urban areas and available resources. Stressed tributaries often have the greatest access available, due to the close proximity to urban areas. However, the stressed creeks are affected by the increase in usage and continued public degradation. Restorable and natural tidal tributaries can control type and volume of public usage within the watershed. Low intensity access should be provided to restorable tributaries for education of the public toward restoration and the benefits derived from improved conditions. Passive recreation is also recommended for natural systems for people to identify with the high productivity pristine environments provide. The natural system provides the highest quality of aesthetic resources available. 143 SUMMARY The importance of rivers and creeks to estuaries has been documented tn studies throughout the world. Rivers- and lesser streams import freshwater and foodstuffs to estuaries and provide critical habitat, refuge, feeding and breeding grounds for the early life history stages of marine and estuarine Life forms. Rivers and tidal creeks are vulnerable to numerous impacts which also become evident downstream in terms of decreased estuarine productivity. Examples include: hydroperiod alterations through excess drainage or impoundments; loss of corridor by damming; changes to stream loads by increasing runoff or discharging pollutants, and diverting or preventing flows; increased relief and habitat losses through dredging and filling; and contamination through disposal of toxic materials. As rivers and creeks deteriorate, their ability to buffer cultural shocks to the estuary are lost. Rivers and creeks flowing to Tampa Bay vary greatly in condition. Historical and anecdotal evidence exists to show that these streams were immensely productive estuarine zones and modern data on relatively pristine rivers and creeks support this view. Much basic information on tidal rivers and creeks is lacking but enough exists to allow important ones to be classified by their overall condition from a management point of view. All classifications identified in this report are based on conditions in the tidal segment of each stream. Developing general management/ restoration recommendations for tidal creek ecosystems is difficult, due to great diversity of the individual tributary systems involved; their particular condition and management needs; and regulatory, economic and other facets of each problem. Emphasis should be placed on the restorable tributaries since restoration can potentially prevent them from becoming a stressed system. Second, priority is then given to protection of the natural tributary, followed by preventing additional impacts to the estuary from stressed tidal tributaries. 144 5.0 Literature Cited Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. "Streamflow Inputs to Tampa Bay Model for Wasteload Allocation Study" Interim Report prepared for Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. August 1983. Carlson, Paul. Florida Department of Natural Resources - personal communication to Gary H. Tourtellotte, Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. Cherry, R.N., J.W. Stewart, and J.A. Mann. 1970. General hydrology of the Middle Gulf Area, Florida. Fla. Dep. of Natural Resources, Bureau of Geology. Report Investigation No. 56. 96 pp. Conservation Consultants, Inc. 1985. Phase I, Systems Characterization, Delaney Creek Stormwater Management Master Plan. Hillsborouqh County, Florida. Prepared for Ghioto, Singhofen and Associates, Inc. Crow, J.H. and K.B. MacDonald. 1979. Wetland values: secondary production. In: P.E. Greeson, et al. Wetland Functions and Values: The State of our understanding. Amer. Water Resources Assoc. pp. 146-161. de la Cruz,, A.A. 1979. Production and transport of detritus in wetlands. In: P.E. Greeson, et al. Wetland Functions and Values: The State of Our Understanding. Amer. Water Resources Assoc. pp. 162-174. Dooris, P.M. 1979. Sawgrass Lake: Data Summary. Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooksville, Fla. 56 pp. Dooris, P.M., and G.M. Dooris. 1984. Surface flows to Tampa Bay: quantity and quality aspects. Proceeding Abstract, Tampa Bay Area Scientific information Symposium. May 1982. Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. (ESE). 1977. Assessment of water quality problems in the Tampa Bay region - update. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. St. Petersburg, Fla. Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. (ESE). 1986. Ecological Assessment of Tidal Creeks to Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. St. Petersburg, Fla. 145 Florida Department of Administration, Division of State Planning, Bureau of Comprehensive Planning. 1977. The Florida Land Use and Cover Classification System: A Technical Report. Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. 1982. 1980 Point-source inventory for the Wilson-Grizzle Area. Florida Department of Natural Resources. Delaney Creek data cited in CCI 1985. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. 1985. Official List of Endangered and Potentially Endangered Fauna and Flora in Florida. Ghioto, Singhofen and Associates, Inc. 1985. Delaney Creek Stormwater Management Master Plano First and Second Interim Reportso Prepared for Southwest Florida Water Management District. Ghioto, Singhofen and Associates, Inc. 1986. Delaney Creek Stormwater Management Master Plano Prepared for Southwest Florida Water Management Districto Gilmore, R.G., C.J. Donohoe, and D.W. Cookeo 1983o Observations on the distribution and biology of east-central Florida populations of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch). Fla. Scientist. 46:313-336. Gunter, Go 1961o Some relations of estuarine organisms to salinity. Limnolo Oceanogr. 6(2):182-190o Gunter, Go 1967o Some relationships of estuaries to the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexicoo Ppo 621-638 in Go Ho Lauff (ed.), Estuaries. Amer. Assoco Advancement of Science Publ. No. 83. Hillsborough County Environmental Protection commission. 1978-1985. Environmental Quality 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982-1983. Kusler, J.A. 1983. Our National Wetland Heritage. A Protection Guidebooko Environmental Law Institute, Washington, DoC. 167 ppo 146 Lewis, R.R., III, R.G. Gilmore, Jr., D.W. Crewz, and W.E. Odum. 1985. Mangrove Habitat and Fisheries Resources of Florida. In: William Seaman, Jr. (editor). Florida Aquatic Habitat and Fishery Resources. Florida Chapter American Fisheries Society. Lewis, R.R., III and E.D. Estevez. 1986. The Ecology of Tampa Bay, Florida: an estuarine profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C. Lieth, H. 1975. Primary Productivity of the major vegetative units of the world. In: H. Lieth and R. H. Whittaker (editors). Productivity of the Biosphere. Springer-Verlag, New York. pp. 203-316. Lopez, M.A., and D.M. Michaelis. 1979. Hydrologic data from urban watersheds in the Tampa Bay area, Fla. U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigation 78-125. 51 p. Marshall, A.R. 1958. A survey of the snook fishery of Florida, with studies of the biology of the principal species, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch). Florida St. Bd. Conserv. Tech. Serv. No. 22. Mycyk, R.T., L.D. Fayard, W.L. Fletcher, and J.K. Ogle. 1983. Water Resources Data, Florida, Water Year 1982. Volume 3A. Southwest Florida Surface Water. U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Data Report FL- 82-3A, Tallahassee, Fla. National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1985. Tide Tables 1986, High and Low Water Predictions, East Coast of North and South America, Including Greenland. Priede-Sedgwick, Inc. 1980. Tampa Nationwide Urban Runoff Program. Phase I. Task 1.3B - Point Source Inventory and Task 1.3C - Runoff Characteristics. Prepared for the Dep. of Public works, City of Tampa. Rochow, T.F. 1982. Sawgrass Lake - Results of 1979-1981 monitoring of the red maple swamp. Environmental Section Technical Report 82-4. Southwest Florida Water Management District, Brooksville, Fla. Rochow, T.F. 197.9. Sawgrass Lake - Results of 1978-1979 monitoring of the red maple swamp* Environmental Section Technical Report 1979. Southwest Florida Water Mangement District, Brooksville, Fla. 147 Sadler, Robert, Florida Department of Natural Resources - personal communication to Gary He Tourtellotte, Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. Schomer, N.S., R.D. Drew, and P.G. Johnson. 1984. Draft Ecological Characterization of the Tampa Bay Watershed. Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Cooperative Agreement 14-16-009-80-999. Simon, J.L. 1974. Tampa Bay estuarine system - a synopsis. Fla. Sci. 37(4):217-245. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council 1977. Tampa Bay Region, Point Source Inventories. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. 1978. Areawide Water Quality Management Plan for the Tampa Bay Region. TBRPC, St. Petersburg, FL. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. 1984. The Future of Tampa Bay. TBRPC, St. Petersburg, FL. 270 pp. Teal, J. and Me Teal. 1969. Life and Death of the Salt Marsh. Audubon/Ballantine Books, New York. 274 pp. Tiner, Ralph We, Jr. 1984. Wetlands of the United States: Current Status and Recent Trends. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Habitat Resources, Newton Corner, Massachusetts. 58 pp. United States Geological Survey. 1982. Water Resources Data for Florida Water Year 1981, Vol. 314: Southwest Florida - Surface Water. U.S.G.S., Water Resources Division, Tampa, Fla. Wetlands: Their Use and Regulation (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, OTA-0-206, March 1984)., J.L. 1974. Tampa Bay estuarine system - a synopsis. Fla. Sci. 37(4):217-245. 148 APPendix A. WATER QUALITY DATA ALLEN CREEK CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 1982 - 1985 Station Allen's Crppk Nn- I Location North side nf nrt6rl Rd- at A@r@-@- a.- 0 E 0 c 0 Ob x '@% t: - 0 t- - PC 0 -g - ' a CL 0 - cL E 0 ul %.. z 0 0 fo 0 0- 0 -:1 v- %- -6 - N% Date E - u 0 0 a. 0 N% z z z 0 E . M . E E u a ab 0 CP a 0 cr W) 4pb 0 00 NCP- 10 cp CC .2 E .2 E ov z cl z E x E 42PE 0 E 0 E t E 12-0 4L 0- Lu - u. - 0- M 0- Z- Z - 0- 3-31-82 1120 24.0 - 9.50 1 550 3000 2.5 < 0.02 1.50 < 0.02 0.25 <0.04 (820) 1 1 4-21-92 0800 24.0 8.0 @45 5.25 1 276 1000 13.4- -C 0. 02 0.04 < 0.0 0.12 <0.04 (841) 1 1 5-19-82 - - 7.0 390 - 5 640 720 1 < 0.0 04 <0.02 0.08 <0.04 (869) 7-7-82 0835 26.0 7.2 350 5.25 2 300 4687 0.1 0.11 1.12 <0.02 0.23 <0.04 (918) 9 -1-82 (974) 0805 26.0 6.6 360 5.00 3 @600 1400 8.4 < 0.02 0.60 <0.02 0.34 0.69 -15-8 9(988) 2 0745 25.0 6.7 380 5.50 2 @200 1080 CO.1 <0.010.50 <0.01 0.28 0.04 11-4-82 0935 23.0 6.3 130 7.00 12 3000 2000 0.1 <0.02 1.00 <0.02 0.311 0.19 (1038) many 12-2-62 0915 24.0 6.4 362 4.00 3 cleajZ500 0.2 < 0.02 0.80 <0.02 0.06 <0.04 (1066) 1 1 1 colories 1 1 1-6-83 0900 15.3 6.2 360' 4.10 4 5000 1280 0.7 <0.01 1.00 <0.02 0.13 <0.04 (1101) 1 1 1 1 - 2-3-83 0914 17.7 6.4 240 6.60 1 3900 10500 cO.1 <0.02 0.78 <0.0 0.12 0.021 (1129) 1 1 1 1 2-17-83 0914 16.7 6.4 210 8.10 2 3700 25000 0.2 <0.02 0.40 <0.02 0.20 0.04 (1143) 1 1 3-3-83 0922 18.6 6.3 330 6.50 1 260 1500 0.2 < 0.02 0.30 <0.02 0.28 0.04 (1157) 3-17-83 0913 18.8 6.6 210 7.00 2 0 10400 0.1 <0.0'4 0.10 < o.02 0.01 0.06 (1171) 1 4-7-83 0922 22.01 6.5 360 8.70 2 120 1800 0.2 <0.0', 0.40 <0.02 0.21<0.01 (1192) A-1 Station Allen's Creek (Nn- 1) Location North side of Druid Rd. at Arrturas Av- E w VC E 0 40 0 a 0 E CL E 0 0 0 z a .2- 0 o 0 Date E - U :Z V- a-- z Z z CL 0 6 = 6 -a E a 0 0C; ro Not " CIS CP I r E 0 = C, E Or- Z( 4'*v E 0 E 0 z a z = E t E 13 E 0 E E CL 0- z - 0- z - z - 0- 4-11-84 0932 22.2 7.3 238 6.90 2 44 420 <0.1 <0.02 0.60 0.02 0.20 0.09 (1562) 7-17-84 1019 27.3 6.3 350 6.90 2 2240 520 0.3 0.12 0.86 <0.02 0.30 0.14 (1659) 9-27-84 0923 24.2 7.1 369 4.10 1 440 150 0.1-o <0.02 0.39 <0.02< 0.02 0.16 (1731) 1 12-17-84 1025 21.0 6.4 345 7.75 2 1050 680 <0.1 0.33 0.07 <0.02 0.09 0.05 -0812) 1- 9-85 1050 16.0 6.5 364 3.20 9 780 453 O.OOS 0.15 0.32 <0.02 0.01 0.07 (1835) 1 1-21-85 0935 10.5 6.6 265 5.40 3 --cnflue it 950 ).027 0.17 0.38 <0.02 0.18 0.05 -(1847) 1 growth 2-4-85 1000 19.0 6.6 335 3.50 2 500 1300 < 0. 1 0.16 0.46 < 0.02 0.03 C A (1861) 1 1 1 1 L 2-19-85 0850 17.0 6.8 350 5.40 1 165 930 0.112 0.05 0.45 <0.02 0.15 0.0 -(1876) 3-4-85 0940 20.5 6.6 361 8.20 1 305 365 0.021 0.27 0.56 < 0.02 0.03 0.08 (1869) 3-19-85 1040 17.0 6.3 450 5.00 5 3000 740 0.56 0.81 < 0.02< 0.0 0.07 -(1904) 1 1 4-1-85 0930 23.0 6.8 370 4.10 2 370 830 0.5( 0.26 0.29 < 0.02< 0.02 0.05 (1917) 1 1 1 4-15-85 1100 23.0 6.4 348 5.80 5 400 770 0.01 < 0.02 1.23 < 0.02 O.OE 0.05 (1931) 1 1 5-@6-85 0910 23.0 6.5 '350 3.00 3 165 395 0.3 0.02 0.51 -<0.02<0.0 0.01 (1952) A-2 Station Allpn's rrppk (Nn i) Location North side of Druid Rd. at Arcturag Ave. V E w 0 C S. at 'A E :0% 0 %- 0 At 0 0 E m E w ID C) z 0 0 Z 0 - Date u 0 U@) :0 C, a. - C z 0 N, 0 z z V r: -6 -6 6 Cp to Cp a t7 C%J at K) 01 = Ob EO E a z a z E X E r= 0 E 0 E t: E c :k V E .2 E 0 C, a - CO U! C) z 0 - Z Z 5-20-85 1040 28.0 6.2 480 2.55 <1 1 10 0.23 0.1 0.22 < 0.0 < 0.02 (1967) 6-6-85 0925 28.0 7.1 452 2.40 3 40 435 0.11 0.1 0.35 <0.02<0.02 0.10 (1983) 6-24-85 0915 25.5 6.8 300 1.801 5 9800 433 0.9@ 0.2 0.42 0.03 0.25 0.10 (2001) 1 7-24-85 0925 26.5 6.5 363 3.00 1 4800 63 0. % 0.34 0.59 < 0.021 0.11 0.14 (2031) B-4-85 1050 28.5 6.7 340 4.70 1 -550 290 0.1-, 0.19 0.29 <0.02 0.14 0.03 (2045) 1 1 B-27-85 1030 26.5 6.5 360 5.20 4 660 233 0.4! 0.31 0.49 0.02 0.21 0.061 (2065) 1 1 1 9-25-85 1000 27.0 6.6 370 5.401 2 2200 510 0.2, 0.1710.41 0.03 0.28 0.25 (2094) 1 10-17-85 1000 26.0 6.4 360 4.85 2 3600 750 0.3; 0.12 0.36 0.02 0.29 0.23 (2116) 11-18-85 0845 23.5 6.5 35d 4.00 5 --610 2500 0.22 0.54 0.04 <0.02 0.26 0.061 (2148) 1 1 .I 1 1 12-16-85 1025 16.0 6.4 5.50 TMD P-6000 4400 0.3C 0.2810.90 < 0. 021 0.12 0.10 (2176) 1 1 1 2-3-86 1020 19.5 6.4 5.45 O.OJ 0.22 0.24 7 0.02 (2225) A-3 .A 41 %40 @O -14 Co I', CD g4 Cm @1.4 C) I C) I, C, 1. coo M 0 4-1 Pj I- C)3 CIO -M C, 0 C) 0 0 C) C) 0 0 0 0 M 0 \0 a 10 10 \0 \0 M Co Co Co @.w I- %A 0 C71 1.M C M Time Temperature t) C @P C C) 0 M 0 I ( OC :4 Co I pH a, 01 0 41 41 @-i Conductivity -J 01 @A Co I- V% \0 \0 a, Co C) C) C M 0 (,umhos. F, ygen @0 110 4-1 01 0 M M 1 0 "A 0 (Mg. FO Dissolved Ox Ili Co I-j Plochemical Oxygen Demand (Mg. > Fecal Coliform Co 0 0 0 Co C) C) 0 0 0 No. / 100ml) Fecal Strop M C@ 0 f13 41 0 01 0% -4 CD 0 0 0 CD C\ 0 0 0 \0 0 0 0 0 M C3 a 1 0 0 0 ( No./lOOm.1 0 A \0 A %A Oil and Grease F F F F %R 'C' F :0 CY, w (Mg. A A A A A A A A A A A A F F F F F 0 0 F P NH3N 0 0 M 0 0 Mg. r C? IF Organic N 0% Co @0 M -4 Co 0@ -4 NO Co Co 0 M @0 0 0 0 CD C3 OF 1 0 (Mg. 0 A A A A A A A A N02N M rn 0 C C3 0 M4. j7, F F F F F F N03N \A V.- 0 M 0 Ortho Phosphate C) C) 4-1 Mg. cn 'A \40 'A Z@ 7 Z@ 10 (71 10- 10 03 4-1 00 - M f-- 03 w 'D a, L I j-, ,4 1 a) %@A @4 j m cl;, %0 @f m .1. 'j %0 'a) L 01 C) C) 0 C) 0 C3 %0 %A PQ 4L@ 0 M 0 C3 %0 a, Time 10 0 ID C) %0 10 %0 10 A, C3 11, C3 rQ Temperature !4 @O @n :4 @4 CD C3 00 (OC) pH @j Co %0 Co Ij Ch -4 fI3 %A %A -.A 1.4 Conductivity a, 41 Co -4 Co w a, -L- CD Co Co C3 Co Co %A %.ft CD %R C3 10 (,umhos. %A Ch :4 Co Dissolved Oxygen @j M CO %A %A ;-j Co %.n " CD CD C3 C3 C3 C3 (Mg./ A Biochemical Oxygen Demand (Mg. / 1) Fecal Coliform cn 11 -4 cy, 0 %A C3 0 C3 C3 %4 C@ 0 Q 0 1 I (No./lOOMI) -4 1- %A %A Fecal strep ,n A, %J" co co -j 41 0 co c3 -4 %.A %A 0 CD C3 C3 I a ( No. / 100 M.1 p I F A F) F) CD .011 and Grease c3 co _j CD m A A o F F F F CD C3 NI-13N C3 (Mg./I) cr, 10 C) F F 9 M F F F Organic N 4P a, @.w z> @j 41 %.A M C:) 41 a a, N3 4@ (Mg. A A A A A A A M F NO?N 0 C 0 1 C 0 0 C) C) 0 C3 0 C) (Mg./ I c:, F F N03N c) 0 0 a, a, m 41 co a, a, %0 a, (Mg./ I F 0 c:) 0 A Ortho Phosphate F) F C3 + 10 Co m CD a, @p a-, cpo -rI cc C) (Mg. C:, 0 1@ C) 1@ C. .11 C, C3 "I a a, 10 1@ @2 'D 01 Ij 1 %.4 J, CD 03 1 0, a aC0, C', I" T -4 M, W, CO - ca @Jn Z! M %MjI Ip C=) 0 10 0 C3 0 0 10 ID 0 0 Time Temperature CD -j C) 10 0 C) in 0 (OC) F, ?I F, @4 F, pH -4 C %A 0% 41 4-1 Conductivity 0 C3 C) -@A %A 0 . co CD 0 rIj (."mhos. a, r r r @p f, f, @A Dissolved Oxygen @3 10 a, -4 14 10 41 a, 0% 0 0 C3 C3 C3 (Mg./ 41 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (Mg. / I ) Fecal Coliform a, M C C 0% 0 @A %A C3 0 C3 C3 C3 Q C3 1 0 1 C) (No. / 100 ml) Fecal Strop co -4 M co 41 9P co C3 M co r-i C3 %." 0 C3 0 ( No. /100m.1). !3 F, F C C3 C3 Oil and Grease %A 0 01 (Mg./I) F, C3 NH3N %A %A (Mg./I) %10 A, 91 A, F) I? P '? Orgonlc N 1-4 41 41 co %A a, (Mg. A A a NO,, N C3 M C? C3 CD C3 C3 (Mg K3 @.n %A 0% a CD 0 C3 C3 a C3 N03N hi --4 C3 0 CD (mg./ Ortho Phosphate 0 0 Mg. @.n co 'j, APPENDIX-B Agenda Item #7 7/9/84 TAMPA BAY MANAGEMENT STUDY COMMISSION EXISTING AUTHORITIES MATRIX Over the past six months the Loong-Term/Existinq Authorities Subcommittee of the Tampa Bay Management Steering Committee has been developing an inventory of all federal, state, r"ional and local governmental agencies having jurisdiction over activities associated with Tampa Bay. This inven- tory has been prepared in matrix form and is intended to be used to pin- point agency and authority jurisdiction and responsibilities with regard to the priority bay management issues. During the upcoming months the Tampa Bay Management Study Commiss-ion will be using the matrix to develop solu- tions and specific implementation strategies for each identified issue. From this process it is anticipated that a more refined understandinq of each agency's function, as well as jurisdictional gaps and overlaps, will be derived. At this point in time, four categories of aqency involvement have been identified. These categories are defined as followst Regulation/Enforcement Category By statute or ordinance an agency has the authority to issue a permit and/or veto a project or activity. This category of involvement is denoted in the matrix by a * symbol. *Review/Advisory Category By statute, ordinance or local policy, an agency is required to become aware of a project or activity and make recommendations or comments. This category of involvement is denoted in the matrix by a o symbol. e Planning/Policy Development Through statute, ordinance or local policy, this agency will establish goals and set guidelines, and develop implementation strategies for activities or projects. This category of involvement is denoted in the matrix by a + symbol. * Research/Education Agencies which contribute research and/or education information to other agencies and to the general public. This category of involvement is denoted in the matrix by a symbol. A-7 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY RESOURCE UTILIZATION boating and Navigation Commercial and Recreational Fishing Public Access to Shoreline RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Habitat Management - fish and wildlife management - Shoreline Packs and Marine Preserve - protection of water Quality - Protection of Water Quantity - Soil Conservation and erosion Control - pest and Aquatic weed Control - hazardous waste disposal - Protection of Air Quality Resource Development - dredge and fill Activities - docks, moorings, bulkheads, breakwaters - bridges, causeways, roads, etc. - canals, levees, salinity structures, etc - marina siting - port development and operations - power plant siting - Industrial Discharges and operations - mining discharges and reclamation - urban development and public works A-8 ST74TE GOVERNMENT ACTMTY RESOURCS LITTLIZATIO" - boating anA Navigation 0 - CommaccLal and RacreatLonal Fishing *0 0 - Public Access to Shoreline 0 0 +* 0 0 + + MWOURCE PMAGOOM 0 'A Rabitat Management + 0 a 0 a c 01 10 .4 I a c-, Fish and Wildlife Management 0 + .1 A 8 1 9 V Shocelin* Parke and Kerins Preserve* 0 W "A c 2 1 0 -a" 0 0 I - - .0 4 a 0+11 11 6 -.4 Oc 41 M 16 'S 2 4j - Pr a atection of Water Quality 0 0 96 + + a OU 0 - Protection of Water Quantity a 0 0 00. lag 3 C4 + %4 %a 16 %d '" a @4 I" a* 00 OBOO - Boll Conservation and Erosion Control 0 a 10 1W a 1 51. + 0-.4 + 010 a 0 4c c - Past and Aquatic Weed Control 0 a 00 + -1 1 1+ 1 - Rax&cdous Waste Disposal + a I 0+10r, + - Protection of Air Quality + 0 0 - RESOURCR OMLOPMM - Dradq* and Fill ActivktLes +a 0 0 0 - - Docks, MoocLn9s, Bulkheads, Scoakwatecs +0 0 0 - - Bridges# Causeways,, Fonds* etc. 0 Iola :-I 1 0 - - Canals, LAV**$# Salinity Structuc*s, etc. 0 0 10 0 - - marine Siting 0 0 0 0 - - pact Development and operations 0 0 0 0 0 - C, - Power Plant Siting +10 0 0 o - is 00 + a V C - industrial Discharges and Operations 0 A MIMT "n 11 ST", 1@ 7jk @,V-XTY@ - Mining Discharges and ReelsmatLon 0 0 + I - Urban Development and Public Works 0 REGIONAL AGENCT.ES ACTIVITY iC MMMMCZ UTILIZATION - Boating and Navigation o 4 1+ 1-1 - Co mmo calal and Recreational fishing 0 - Public Access to Shoreline 0 0 RSSOUMCB PAXAGZKM - BabLtat Management . . . u - Fish and Wildlife Management 0a0 0 ++ Q C .4 - Shoreline Packs and Nacine Preserves 00 u + a 0 - Protection-of Water Quality ++ + Protection of Water Quantity +a+ a as F4 + 411 tr .3 T .4 Val M o SoU Conservation and Erosion Control 00 a .4 0 4 P4 W, A @4 1+10111 41 0 Post and Aquatic Need Control ++ 0 - Basacdous waste Disposal 0+0 Wo F'h I - Peotection og Air Quality 04dol1 RZSOUNCZ DzVZLOPPMNT - ocedge and Pill Activities - Docks. Moorings, Bulkheads, Breakwaters 0 - Bridges@ Causmays, Moadso etc. + 101001:1 -0 - Canals, Levees, Salinity Structures, eta. : 0 * _++ 0 - marine Siting +0 - Fort Development and Operations 0 20 0 - Power Plant Siting 0101 - industrial Discharges and Operations 0101 -x 9.19 4 I I A P04. - Mining Discharges and Reclamation o00 '14, .41 0 + @=ION AGEN + 1+1 Vcban Development and Public Works 0 A-10 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY .3 ACTIVITY J, Rssouncs UTILIZATION - boating and Navigation + - CoimnetcLal and Recc*ational Fishing a 0 - Public Ace*@* to Shoreline a 0 RSSOURCR MANAGEMENT - Rabitat Managment 0 09 u - Fish and Wildlife management 0 a ZZ +4+ C .4 *0 - Shoreline Parks and Matins Pcosetwee 0 .0 0.04 + or r- - Protection of Water Quality 0 u 4 a +1+ + UZ j 3 8 - Protection of Water Quantity -01. 8 3 o a- a - Sail ConsoevatLon and Erosion Control 0 4 %* + - 0.1 8 1 -3 C 2 : :1 1- - 0 - Post and Aquatic Wood Contcol 01 0 I a 2 4, - Razardaus Waste Disposal a 8 0+1 1 i , + + U x W - Protection of Air Quality 0 -+-+- +' RZSOUWZ OML40PKM - Dredge and rill Activities 0 0 :1:1+ . - Docks, moorings, Bulkheads, Breakwaters :1-10 0 - Bridges, Causeways, Moods, eta. 0 - Canals, Love**, Salinity Stcuctuctse eta. 0 0 - marina Siting o o o + - Port Development and operations 0 0 +10. - Power Plant Siting a 0 0 :1 1+ +I I I I I I - industrial Discharges and Opetations o o + :1 ]z 0 + I - mining Discharges and ftelmation 0 0 0 1 0*1 - urban Development and Public Works 0 a + A-11 KANATEE COUNTY .3 ACTIVITY iA RRBOURCS UTILIZATION - boating and Navigation oa ++ + - - - - 0 - Commercial and Recreational Fishing +a +.I - Public Access to Shoreline *a000 ++H++ RESOURCE MAXAG@j - Babitat Management 0 :I-01+01I - Fish and Wildlife Management -+-101 a01 - Shoreline Packs and Marine Preserves 0 00 a a 0+ 0 0 08 - Protection of Water Quality +I++ - Protection of Water Quantity 00 0 01++ + + 000 -5 @4 to a a's - Boll Conservation and Brosion Control +00 + 0 dc 0 - V ++ a Lf 8.0 0 - Post and Aquatic Weed Control 0 0.010111: -1 00 - Hazardous Waste Disposal 00 - Protection of Air Quality 00 + RZBOUACS DML40PM& - Dredge and Will Activities 00 0 0 oC - Docks, Moorings# Bulkheads, Sceakwaters * o0+1 - scidges, Causeways, roads, *to e oo o0 +11+1 1+ - Canalsp Loevees, Balinity structures, *to. 10101 100+ - marine Siting o a o 0 a +0 - Port Development and Operations 00+ 0 *ail I.. Power Plant Siting 0 0 0 ++.+ 4 31 .4 2 Industrial Discharges and Operations tp 00 ATEE @COMTy ACTIVITY -Mining Discharges and Realamation 0 -Ocben Development and Public marks 0 1: + + A-12 PI COUNTY .3 ACTIVITY 111111 "dill I; RESOURCE-EMILIZATION - Boating and Navigation 0 - Commercial and Recreational rLshing - Public Access to Shoreline 0 0 0 RXSOURCZ PRKA00can - Nabitat Management 0 U - rish and Wildlife Management 1+0 1: 1 r - Sbacelint Packs and Marine Preserves +10 1:. 1:1 1 -0. - Protection of Water Quality 0 0 0 - Protection of Water Quantity 0@0 wo + '1 C + .0 3--.0 0 - Soil Conservation and Erosion Control C 0.0 0+1 "" r. - Pest &W Aquatic Wood Control 0 'A 0 0 - Nexacdous West* Disposal U + + x - Protection of Air Quality 0 0 : . +I RZSOURCz Maw"aw I I I I - Dredge and Pill Activities 01 111 - Docks, Moorings, Bulkheads, Breakwaters :I- doI - DcLdges, Causeways, Roads, etc. - Canals, tavees, Salinity Structures, etc. a ++ + - Marina Siting C, + 0+1 1 1 1 1 0 - Pact Development and OpscatLons 0 0 a 0-4 +1 + - Power Plant Siting 00 0 + - Industrial Discharges and OperatLonc :1.+ 10111 1 1-1 Ic 0 0 + I KETIA Y - Mining Discharges and Reclamation 0 - Urban Development and ]Public vocks 0 0 + 41 CITY OF TAMPA ACTIVITY Rai ja@g UTILISNnW - boating mW mwftatfoe - Commercial and Recreational fishing - Public Access to Shoreline a + Minus= MAMA4ZNXNT - Nabitat Management - fish and wildlife managment - ShocelLne racks and Marine Preserves a - Protection of Watec Quality - Protection of Nate: Quantity a - Soil Conservation and Scosion Control 0 4 L - Fast and Aquatic NOW Control C - Hazardous Waste Disposal - Protection of Air Quality 0 RSBOUACZ DxvzWPM1m - Dredge and Fill Activities o - Docks, Moorings, BuLkheads, Breakwaters a - 3cidges, Causeways, fteds, eta. 04 - Canals, Levees, Salinity Structures* eta. - Marine Siting 09 - Pact Development W. opocatLons -0 - Pow c Plant Siting - Industrial Discharges and operations 0 + - Mining Discharges and Reclamation 4 - a I I - - Urban Development and Public Works a 4 I A CITY OF ST. PVMRSBU?4 ACTIVITY RXSOUWX UTILIZATION - sooting and Navigation - Comsercial, and Recreational Fishing - public Access to Shorelino -0 41 : II I- RNSOMM PAJL40AHM - sabitat Management 0 0 +1 - Fish and MAWS Hmagm*nt 0 + - Shocolln* Parks and Hatint Preserve$ 0 + - protection of Water Quality 0 + - protection of Water Quantity 0 + u - Soil C=gervation and Erosion Control 0a P" ++ - Feet and Aquatic Need control 0 0++ - Rasardoum Wast* Disposal 0 a. - Protection of Air Quality - Dredgo and fill Activities 00 + + - Docks, MowlnqSo Bulkheads,, Breakwater@ 0 1 101 1- - arld9se, Causeways, Made. eta. 104 1 10 1- 4W - Canals, Levees, Salinity structures# eta. 0 + 1 101 H - Marina siting o - poet Development and operations 0 0 -+ + - Power plant siting - Industrial DischAC908 and Operations 0 0 9v .5 A a -2A + '41 0 + I RSEUF4 T. PETE CITY op S CT, TY - Mining Discharges and PealamatiOn 0+ - Urban Development a1W Public Works 0 0 0 + A- Acknowledgements Acknowledgement is hereby given to the following individuals who assisted in the preparation of this report: Michael J. Perry Program Manager Marshall Flynn Planner Hilda Hamilton Secretary Norma Ozias Secretary Bruce R. Gaul Graphics Production Manager Clark H. Allard Pressman A special acknowledgement is given to the members of the Agency on Bay Management and all participants of the public workshops. Respectfully submitted, Peter A. Clark, Project Manager Agency on Bay Management September 18, 1986 Af, WA 3 6668 14102 7914