2nd UF Water Institute Symposium Abstract

   
Submitter's Name Susan Gerena
Session Name Poster Session: Hydrologic, Biogeochemical and Ecological Processes 2
Category Hydrologic, biogeochemical and ecological processes
Poster Number 216
 
Author(s) Susan Gerena,  Interflow Engineering
  John Loper,  Interflow Engineering
   
  Evaluation of Hydrologic Restoration Scenarios for Flatford Swamp in Southwest Florida using an Integrated Model
   
  This is a continuation of a poster presented at the 1st UF Water Institute Symposium in 2008 by John Loper, An Integrated Model of a Hydrologically Altered Watershed in Southwest Florida, which focused on developing a calibrated model for the Upper Myakka River Watershed. This presentation focuses on Flatford Swamp, a 4.5 square mile area located within the Upper Myakka River Watershed that is severely hydrologically impacted. Impacts include significant tree mortality within the swamp. The Myakka River Watershed Initiative (MRWI) is a comprehensive watershed study and planning effort that has set forth goals to restore the now altered hydroperiods to historical conditions and to find a use for the excess water flows. A potential use is as a possible alternative water supply source. Six scenarios were devised and tested using a calibrated water budget model to determine their viability in restoring the swamp to historical conditions. The scenarios were simulated using the calibrated existing conditions integrated groundwater / surface water model MIKE SHE / MIKE 11 as the basis for each scenario. The existing conditions model was prepared for Myakka River Watershed Initiative: Water Budget Model Development and Calibration, [Interflow, 2008] for SWFWMD. The 6 scenarios included: eliminating the use of plastic mulch from farms and using cover crops on fallow fields, installation of horizontal wells around the perimeter of the entire swamp, passively diverting water from the four major inflows to Flatford Swamp, passively diverting water from two of the major inflows into the Flatford Swamp, constructing conveyance improvements through the swamp, and directly pumping from the three areas within the swamp. Based upon the recommendations of this study three scenarios were selected for further investigation.