Ichetucknee Springs: Recreational Impairments? Robert L. Knight, Ph.D. Director February 10, 2011 Ichetucknee Springs Effects of Recreation on Turbidity •Project scope: •Six-month duration (summer through winter) •Direct effects of human uses on turbidity •Indirect effects of humanderived turbidity on other spring properties (light attenuation, water clarity, primary productivity, etc.) Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Park Attendance Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Park Attendance Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Dampier’s Landing Sunday June 27, 2010 Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Dampier’s Landing Sunday June 27, 2010 848 tubers, 35 swimmers, 3 kayaks Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Dampier’s Landing Tuesday July 6, 2010 460 tubers, 48 swimmers, 6 kayaks Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study North Launch Sunday July 25, 2010 628 tubers, 19 swimmers, 3 kayaks Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity Above North Launch Summer Data – July 14 – August 1 Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity Above North Launch Fall/Winter Data – November-December Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity Below North Launch Summer Data – July 14 – August 1 Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity Below North Launch Winter Data – December Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity @ Dampier’s Landing Summer Data – June 16 - July 6 Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity @ Dampier’s Landing Fall/Winter Data – November-December Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity @ US 27 Takeout Summer Data – June - September Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity @ US 27 Takeout Fall/Winter Data – October-December Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Human-Induced Turbidity Dampier’s Landing North Tube Launch. Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Turbidity vs. Light Transmittance Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Light Transmittance @ 1 m Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study Horizontal Secchi Distance Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Turbidity Study QUESTIONS??? Wetland Solutions, Inc. Protecting Florida’s Springs Springs Health •Florida Springs are in Danger Due to: •Flow reductions caused by human consumptive uses of water •Nitrogen sources from fertilizers and waste waters •Human recreational uses and aquatic weed management Springs Health Report Card Ichetucknee Was First! Springs Health Report Cards •Silver Springs •Rainbow Springs •Silver Glen Springs Florida Spring Ecosystems Spring Discharge and Flow Velocity Stream Cross Section Velocity Profiles Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Discharge Florida Spring Ecosystems Water Clarity Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Water Clarity Florida Spring Ecosystems Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs SAV Florida Spring Ecosystems Filamentous Algae Cover Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Algal Cover Florida Spring Ecosystems Water Quality Wetland Solutions, Inc. Ichetucknee Springs Nitrate Concentration Ichetucknee Research Agenda •Monitor flow and water quality at all major spring boils and at Dampier’s Landing, US 27, and above SFR confluence •Extend plant community monitoring to SFR •Routine fish and turtle counts •Whole ecosystem monitoring John Moran Photo Recommendations Florida Spring Ecosystems Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute Spring Institute’s Mission: •Conduct monitoring of spring baseline conditions and trends •Recommend science-based management goals and methods for spring recovery •Provide public education and technical support for setting policy for springs’ restoration and protection •Encourage economic development/policies that protect, restore, and preserve Florida’s springs Springs Institute Concept
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