Boynton North Stepping Stone Artificial Reef
Creating Habitat
• Due to the small
amount of natural reef
located in mid-depth
ocean waters, juvenile
fish exiting estuaries,
such as Lake Worth
Lagoon, have to travel
great distances to
reach available food
and shelter.
• By constructing artificial
reefs outside each inlet
in the mid-depth range
(25 to 45 feet) habitat is
created that serves as
“stepping stones” for
juvenile fish.
Project Location
• Approximately 1 mile
north of the South Lake
Worth (Boynton) Inlet
and about 2,000 feet
offshore.
• 260 33.375 N
800 02.13 W
Benefits
• Provides habitat for
hundreds of species of
fish, crustaceans, and
other marine
organisms.
• Creates additional
areas for snorkeling,
diving, and fishing,
reducing pressures on
natural reef systems.
• Provides an excellent
location for beginning
divers on their first
open water dive.
Project Overview
• The reef was deployed on August 13, 2013
approximately 4000 feet north of the
Boynton West Stepping Stone Reef which
was built in 2011.
• The project area covers approximately 7500
square feet in 35 feet of water.
• Two pre-fabricated concrete reef modules
donated by Intracoastal Eco-Systems, LLC,
were installed at the north end of the reef.
• 910 tons of large limestone boulders were
used to create the remaining section of reef.
• The distance from the ocean floor to the
top of the reef varies with the highest
point being 8 feet in some areas.
• It is anticipated that as reef coverage
increases, so too will overall diversity
and biomass that the site supports.
• Funding for this reef was provided by
PBC Vessel Registration fees and a
grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission.
Connect with the Department of
Environmental Resources
Management and download our
artificial reef map.
Project Partners
Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, Intracoastal Eco-Systems LLC
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Department of Environmental Resources Management
2300 North Jog Road - Fourth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone: 561-233-2400 www.pbcgov.com/erm/
Published September 2013