Recent Tidal Creek Restoration Efforts in Tampa Bay Ed Sherwood Tampa Bay Estuary Program Co-Authors: Brandt Henningsen, SWFWMD, SWIM
Overview Tampa Bay Watershed & Tidal Creek Overview Habitat Restoration Paradigm Restoration Evolution Challenges Ahead
Tampa Bay Watershed Urban centers in Pinellas County (western portion of watershed) & Tampa (north-central) Phosphate mining & agriculture dominate in E and SE portion of watershed Fringing coastal habitats primarily in publicly protected lands
>100 Tidal Creeks interspersed within this urbanized watershed Tidal Creek Variety Mostly mangrovedominated, but some with marsh habitats
Tampa Bay Habitat Management Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Surface Water Improvement & Management (SWIM) Program 1988 Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (1991) Common Management Goals
Coastal Development Has Impacted Habitats: Quantities & Proportions Suite of emergent, estuarine wetland habitat coverage has been reduced Habitat proportions have also been altered
Restoring the Balance of Critical Coastal Habitats
Reality check: some areas are not restorable. But Restoring the Balance of habitat to 1950s levels may reduce bottlenecks for habitat-specific species.
Restoring the Balance Through A Habitat Mosaic Approach Focus on restoring the proportions of habitats to a benchmark period (1950s) Mangroves Salt marsh (Oligohaline) Salt barrens Freshwater wetlands Tidal Creeks
Two Opportunities Exist Protect and acquire sites before they re developed Actively restore degraded habitats
First SWIM Restoration Project - 1988
Restore emergent wetlands along shorelines Freshly planted 1 year of growth
Evolution of Restoration Initiatives Creating Habitat Mosaics
Before Restoration = Fallow Farm Field 2004 Early Construction of Braided Tidal Creek 2005
Mid-Construction of Braided Tidal Creek 2005
Completed and Freshly Planted Braided Tidal Creek 2005
One Year Old Braided Tidal Creek 2006
Seven Year Old Braided Tidal Creek 2012
Restoration Evolution continues Urban restoration initiatives involving tidal creeks
Tidal Creeks Boca Ciega Bay 1926 Aerial Clam Bayou of Tampa Bay
Channelized Tidal Creeks = Drainage Ditches 2008 Aerial - Clam Bayou of Tampa Bay
2. Central Pond 4. Spoil Mound Restoration 5. Channel Restoration 6. Central Restoration 3. South Pond 1. North Pond 7. Southern Restoration
April
Without the stormwater ponds, these floatables would have ended up in Clam Bayou!!
After Tropical Storm Debbie, Central Stormwater Pond Clam Bayou 06/25/2012
Downstream natural tidal creek Upstream channelized for stormwater drainage
Restoring Tidal Exchange & Hydrology
Removal of Physical Barriers Restoring tidal connectivity to a channelized system
Feather Sound tidal wetland project restores mangroves to treat stormwater Natural hydrology has been altered from extensive mosquito ditching Restoring marsh and mangroves to improve stormwater attenuation Source: USGS, Scheda
Hydroblasting removes mounds to fill ditches and halt exotic vegetation 20 acres restored in tidal wetland area with documented water quality and seagrass concerns Volunteers re-planted with native wetland plants
Further Involving the Community Bay Mini Grants & Give-a- Day for the Bay Events
Buy now, or pay later Challenges Ahead Purchase and preserve is our best strategy
Tidal Creek Habitats Will Be Impacted by Sea Level Rise Current Condition 1-m SLR (~3.3ft) http://www.tampabay.wateratlas.usf.edu/tb_slrviewer/
Lessons Learned Site availability with freshwater source the main limiting factor for tidal creek restoraation Creative designs maximizing bang-for-buck and part of habitat mosaics Restoration projects can be multi-functional, in some cases providing (some) stormwater treatment Restoration of bay s hydrology critically important Research and field observations indicate projects being robustly used by wildlife, inclusive of fisheries species SLR and continued development remain challenges ahead
The End
Seining Breeder Traps Spotted seatrout Snook Benthic Sampling Red drum Red drum Striped mullet
Schultz Preserve Clam Bayou Juvenile redfish
But, they do get BIGGER: Nice size snook (> 20 ) in Northern Clam Bayou Tidally Connected Stormwater Pond!!!!
Clam Bayou Note mangroves already colonizing new island
Endangered Species Use!! On May 31, 2012, eight manatees were observed in the Central Restoration Lagoon of the Clam Bayou site, the majority grazing on marsh grasses
Three manatees grazing on marsh grasses while a Great Egret and a duck watch