10 Hydrologicconditionsreport 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................ES-1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 Goals of This Study ............................................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Study Area Description and Background ............................................................ 1-5
2.0 DATA COMPILATION.................................................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Rainfall and Evapotranspiration .......................................................................... 2-2
2.2 Stream Flow ......................................................................................................... 2-2
2.3 Groundwater ........................................................................................................ 2-2
2.4 Lakes .................................................................................................................. 2-2
2.5 Synopses of Relevant Reports ............................................................................. 2-3
2.6 Data Utility......................................................................................................... 2-40
3.0 HYDROGEOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 3-1

3.1 Hydrological Soil Classifications ........................................................................ 3-5
3.2 Sinkholes.............................................................................................................. 3-6
3.3 Springs ................................................................................................................. 3-8
3.4 Hydrostratigraphy ................................................................................................ 3-9
3.4.1 Surficial Aquifer System........................................................................ 3-9
3.4.2 Intermediate Aquifer System/Intermediate Confining Unit ................ 3-10
3.4.3 Floridan Aquifer System...................................................................... 3-10
3.5 Potentiometric Surface Maps for Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers.............. 3-11
3.6 Water Resource Issues ....................................................................................... 3-13
4.0 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES...................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Simple Statistical Analyses Methods................................................................... 4-2
4.2 Groundwater Level and Quality Trend Analyses ................................................ 4-3
4.2.1 Groundwater Level Trend Analyses Methodology................................ 4-3
4.2.2 Groundwater Level Trend Analyses for Lee County Data .................... 4-8
4.2.3 Groundwater Quality Trend Analyses ................................................. 4-12
4.3 Double-Mass Analysis Methods ........................................................................ 4-12
4.3.1 Selection of Rainfall Stations for each Groundwater Monitoring
Well and Aquifer.................................................................................. 4-13
4.3.2 Selection of Rainfall Metric for each Groundwater Monitoring
Well and Aquifer.................................................................................. 4-13
4.3.3 Double-Mass Analytical Procedure ..................................................... 4-13
4.4 Cluster Analyses ................................................................................................ 4-14
4.5 Regression Analysis........................................................................................... 4-16
4.6 Numerical Modeling Analysis ........................................................................... 4-16
Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

i Within The Charlotte Harbor NEP Study Area
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
Section Page
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................... 5-1

5.1 Conclusions.......................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Trends in Groundwater Levels............................................................... 5-1
5.1.2 Double-Mass Analyses: Groundwater Levels vs. Rainfall .................... 5-3
5.1.2.1 Surficial Aquifer Wells ............................................................. 5-3
5.1.2.2 Intermediate Aquifer Wells....................................................... 5-5
5.1.2.3 Floridan Aquifer Wells ............................................................. 5-6
5.1.2.4 Lee County Well Data .............................................................. 5-7
5.1.3 Groundwater Quality Trends ................................................................. 5-8
5.2 Discussion ............................................................................................................ 5-9
5.2.1 Groundwater Levels............................................................................... 5-9
5.2.2 Groundwater Quality ........................................................................... 5-11
5.3 Recommendations.............................................................................................. 5-13
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... R-1
ii Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Within The Charlotte Harbor NEP Study Area
Table of Contents
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A MICROSOFT ACCESS DATABASE (database included on CD)
Appendix B SIMPLE STATISTICS

Appendix B-1 Groundwater Levels with 24-month moving average line, 1990-2003
Appendix B-2 Groundwater Levels with 24-month moving average line, all years in record
Appendix B-7 Stream flow with 24-month moving average line, 1990-2003
Appendix B-8 Stream flow with 24-month moving average line, all years in record
Appendix B-13 Water Quality Constituents with 24-month moving average line, all years in
record
record
record
Appendix B-16 Monthly Dry Season Surface Water Quality within Charlotte Harbor
Watershed Tributaries
Appendix C TRENDS ANALYSES

Appendix C-1 Groundwater Level Trends Tests – Summary Table
Appendix C-2 Trends in Groundwater Levels in Wells
Appendix C-3 Lee County Groundwater Level Trends Tests – Summary Table
Appendix C-4 Trends in Lee County Groundwater Levels in Wells
Appendix C-5 Correlation of Lee County Groundwater Level and Rainfall Data – Summary
Table
Appendix C-6 Groundwater Quality Trends Tests – Summary Table
Appendix C-6 Trends in Groundwater Quality in Wells
Appendix D DOUBLE-MASS ANALYSES

Appendix D-1 Rainfall Metric Analyses
Appendix D-2 Double-Mass Statistical Tables
Appendix D-3 Summary Plots of Double-Mass Statistical Analyses
Appendix D-4 Double-Mass Statistical Tables – Lee County Wells
Appendix D-5 Summary Plots of Double-Mass Statistical Analyses – Lee County Wells
Appendix E CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Appendix F REGRESSION ANALYSES
Appendix G NUMERICAL MODEL ANALYSES
iii Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Table of Contents
LIST OF FIGURES
A1 Study Area
A2 Sub Basins
A3 Rainfall Gage Locations
A4 Evapotranspiration Pan Locations
A5 Stage–Flow Gage Locations
A6 USGS Stream Gage Locations
A7 Permitted Wells
A8 SWFWMD and SFWMD Monitoring Wells
A9 USGS Wells
A10 Stage-Static Gage Locations
A11 Cross Sections
A12 Hydrologic Soil Group
A13 Wetlands
A14 1995 Landuse
A15 Sinkholes and Springs
A16 Well Classification
A17a Pre-Development Floridan Aquifer May 1978 Potentiometric
A17b Pre-Development Floridan Aquifer September 1978 Potentiometric
A17c May 1995 Floridan Aquifer Potentiometric
A17d May 1995 Intermediate Aquifer Potentiometric
A17e September 1995 Floridan Aquifer Potentiometric
A17f September 1995 Intermediate Aquifer Potentiometric
A17g May 2001 Floridan Aquifer Potentiometric
A17h May 2001 Intermediate Aquifer Potentiometric
A17i September 2001 Floridan Aquifer Potentiometric
A17j September 2001 Intermediate Aquifer Potentiometric
A18 Intermediate and Surficial Aquifers Trends in Groundwater Levels
A19 Floridan Aquifer Trends in Groundwater Levels
iv Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The goals of this study were to provide research that would assist CHNEP partners in their
understanding of the implications of changes in groundwater and precipitation levels on stream
flow and wetlands within the various sub-basins. Data related to these processes were collected
and compiled and then correlations between the data (for instance, the relationship between
rainfall and the elevation of the water table within various aquifer systems) were investigated so
that the data would be more easily retrievable and suitable for decision-making purposes. The
project entailed the synthesis of previously-available status and trends analyses of water table
elevations within the Surficial, Intermediate and Floridan aquifers, precipitation data for the
various groundwater sub-basins for the entire period of record, and water quality analyses for
each sub-basin and aquifer system. These data were analyzed to discern any existing
relationships between rainfall quantity, water table elevation and changes in surface features
such as stream flow, spring discharge and sinkhole formation.
Sources of data, descriptions of available data and the methodologies utilized to compile the data
and covert it to a useable form are discussed in Chapter 2. Numerous reports were reviewed
along with other agency publications, local, state and federal governmental agencies and Internet
sites, to locate data related to water table elevations, surface water features and precipitation
which were compiled into a database created using Microsoft Access software. The database as
well as previously-compiled water quality and rainfall data from the companion report, Water
Quality Data Analysis and Report for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program was then
utilized by the project team in the statistical analyses. Given the wide range of periods of record
and degrees of completeness of the data records, a standard period of investigation from 1990 to
2003 was adopted for the statistical analyses. GIS coverages were developed from available data
for several attributes, including sub-basin divides, water management district jurisdictional
boundaries, hydrologic soil types and primary land use. Base maps were developed using
ArcView GIS software and the described coverages; the locations of data points such as wells,
springs, streamflow gages and rainfall gages were then plotted and displayed on the base maps.
Chapter 3 discusses the physical setting of the project area, with emphasis on the hydrogeology
of the area and the interaction of the hydrogeology and surface geomorphic features. The
northern portion of the project area, including the headwaters of the Peace River, is located
within the Polk Upland province. Three major rivers, the Peace River, Myakka River and
Caloosahatchee River, travel through the study area and discharge into Charlotte Harbor (Peace
and Myakka) or San Carlos Bay (Caloosahatchee) and, ultimately, to the Gulf of Mexico. The
project area is comprised of three main hydrogeological units: the unconfined Surficial Aquifer,
the Intermediate Aquifer system (including a confining unit and water-beaing zone, where
present), and the confined Floridan Aquifer system. The Intermediate Aquifer is thin to absent in
the northern-most portion of the study area, and thickens in a down-dip direction to the south. In
the central and southern portions of the study area, appreciable quantities of water are available
ES-1 Analyses of Hydrologic Conditions

Executive Summary
from the Intermediate Aquifer primarily for irrigation purposes because the quality of the water
limits its’ use for potable supplies.
The hydrologic soil classification distribution across the study area generally follows these
trends:
• Soils across the Myakka River basin, Coastal Venice basin, Lemon Bay basin, Charlotte
Harbor basin, Tidal Caloosahatchee basin, and the lower one-half of the Peace River
basin are dominated by soil group B/D.
• Areas of high recharge to the Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers (Polk and Highlands
Counties within study area) are dominated by soil groups A and B.
• Mapped areas of wetlands, included on Figure A13, generally coincide with the areas
dominated by soil group B/D.
The majority of sinkholes in the region are located within Polk County, near the headwaters of
the Peace River and an area of recharge to the aquifer systems. Very few sinkholes are located
within the southern three-fourths of the region, which is dominated by group D soils, a thicker
intermediate hydrogeologic zone (Intermediate Aquifer and/or Intermediate confining unit) and
is, generally, a discharge area for the aquifer systems. Sinkholes in the coastal areas are
predominately the solutional type, while sinkholes developed in inland areas are typically
collapse-type structures. Droughts are one process that leads to lower groundwater levels,
reducing the buoyant support of a cavity roof and prompting collapses. In current development
times the natural processes continue but man-made groundwater withdrawals also reduce the
buoyancy and increase potential for sinkhole formation.
Generally, the southern one-third of the study area is a discharge area for the Floridan Aquifer
and the extreme northern portion of the study area is a recharge area for the Intermediate and
Floridan Aquifers. There are currently existing two Third Magnitude springs in the study area,
Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Springs, which are both located within the area of aquifer
discharge in close proximity to the coastline near the discharge point for the Myakka River in
Sarasota County. Four additional springs (Kissengen, Pinehurst, San Carlos and Caliente)
existed at one time within the study area, but no longer function as springs or have been plugged.
Flow to Kissengen Spring stopped when the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer
lowered to below the elevation of the discharge point, likely due to pumping stresses in the area.
Pinehurst Spring was capped by the local government in 1946, and information on the remaining
two springs was unavailable.
Potentiometric surface data for the Intermediate and Upper Floridan Aquifers was obtained from
the SWFWMD for typical dry seasons (May), wet seasons (September) during each of three time
periods: an early time period after development of major industrial uses of groundwater in the
region but prior to the residential housing boom of the 1980s (1978), an El Nino (above-average
precipitation) year (1995), and a La Nina (below-average precipitation) year (2001). The El
Nino potentiometric surface in the upper Floridan Aquifer is highest in Polk County and

Executive Summary
decreases rapidly as one moves toward the southern portions of the region. Potentiometric
elevations exceed ground surface elevations in the majority of the southern one-half of the
region, and the variation in the Floridan Aquifer potentiometric surface from dry to wet season
produced elevation increases of as much as 20 feet across all but the areas closest to the
coastline. The elevation increase after the wet season during this El Nino period produced a
maximum elevation of the potentiometric surface that exceeded the maximum elevation during
the early time period (1978). For the La Nina year, potentiometric elevations in the southern
one-half of the region during the dry season are very similar to those recorded in the same area
during the pre-development dry season, while dry season elevations in the northern one-half of
the region are as much as 20 feet lower than those recorded during the El Nino period. The La
Nina-influenced wet season potentiometric surface closely resembles the pre-development wet
season surface.
Chapter 4 describes the methods used to analyze the data with respect to rainfall trends, stream
flow trends, groundwater quality spatial trends and status, and surface water quality trends and
status. Data in electronic form were converted to a database created with Microsoft Access, and
data in hard copy form were entered into the database. Point-source data categories compiled
included rainfall, stream flow rates, spring flow rates, static water elevations in lakes and water
table elevation in wells and piezometers. Spatial data including well locations, wetlands,
sinkholes, and evapotranspiration data were also compiled in the database. Initially,
determination of the selection criteria for inclusion of well data in the quantitative analyses was
performed. The selection criteria utilized was a minimum of 60 data points were required for a
particular well to be included in the analyses. Since most groundwater level data was reported
on a monthly basis, a record of at least 60 data points was presumed to ensure that a minimum of
five years of data were collected from that well.
Simple statistics were calculated for water level, streamflow, each water quality constituent for
tributaries, and for monthly dry season water quality. The mean, standard deviation, and
coefficient of variation provided a numeric value for the magnitude and variation of each
constituent. Moving averages of each statistical parameter were computed to smooth the
variation and show varying trends in water quality. Next, a seasonal Kendall Tau approach was
used on the groundwater level and quality data to evaluate trends in the datasets.
A comprehensive double-mass statistical analysis was completed to identify changes in the

relationship between groundwater levels and rainfall over the region. Following completion of
the other quantitative analytical methods, the water quality data from representative wells within
the various sub-basins were compared to one another using cluster analyses. Regression analysis
was also used in an attempt to develop relationships between dependent variables such as water
quality constituents and rainfall, land use, etc., to aid in identification of predevelopment
conditions.

Executive Summary
The statistical analyses yielded the following broad findings:
• Groundwater levels have generally been unchanged over the period of investigation
(1990–2003) for the majority of the wells included in the analyses. Although the
groundwater levels were often highly seasonal, larger scale trends were not found over
the entire periods of record. Although, overall trends over the entire periods of record
were not common, the time series plots indicate that shorter time scale trend over one or
two decades were more common.
• Surficial groundwater levels were more closely correlated with localized rainfall and
short time lags between rainfall and groundwater level responses. More surficial wells
were reported to have significant increases in the relationship between groundwater level
and rainfall. This indicated that in the later portion of the period of record, there were
higher groundwater levels for a given amount of rainfall than in the earlier portion of the
period of record.
• The deeper Floridan Aquifer groundwater levels were more correlated with rainfall from
the northern portion of the study area. There is expected to be a general north to south
flow of groundwater from the Green Swamp region to the Gulf Coast. Also, the deeper
Floridan Aquifer groundwater levels were more correlated with longer rainfall time lags
than the shallower aquifers.
• With respect to water quality statistics performed for this study, only four of 96 tests were
statistically significant: TOC (Upper Myakka), dissolved oxygen (Charlotte Harbor),
NO2+NO3 (Charlotte Harbor), and total nitrogen (Charlotte Harbor).

Chapter 1.0
INTRODUCTION
The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) is a consensus-driven partnership of
citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users
working to improve the water quality and ecological integrity of the greater Charlotte Harbor
watershed. The partnership includes, among many others, Polk, Hardee, DeSoto, Lee, Manatee,
Sarasota and Charlotte Counties; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and both the South and the
Southwest Florida Water Management Districts. A cooperative decision-making process is used
within the program to address diverse resource management concerns in the 4,400 square mile
study area. The extent of the study area is indicated on Figure 1-1. This partnership created a
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that has been approved by the
management conference and the federal government. It includes the three agreed-upon priority
problems - water quality degradation, hydrologic alternations and fish and wildlife habitat loss.
The CHNEP Management Conference is now tasked with implementing the goals and
monitoring strategy within the CCMP.
1.1 GOALS OF THIS STUDY

The Program’s success relies heavily on the efforts of its partners, and the Program’s central role
is facilitating, strengthening and coordinating implementation of the CCMP objectives. Thus,
the intent of this project is to support our Program partners by compiling hydrologic information
into a central location for their use and by determining if the partnership is meeting the
hydrologic objectives of the CCMP. Many of the CCMP hydrologic objectives are listed below:
HA-1: Establish values for seasonal minimum flows and levels beginning with the
Myakka River at State Road 72 and for Big Slough; the Peace River at Bartow, Zolfo
Springs, and Arcadia; and for the tributaries; Horse Creek, Joshua Creek, Shell Creek,
and the lower Peace River/ upper estuary by the year 2005. Achieve these minimum
seasonal flows by the year 2020.
HA-2: Identify, establish, and maintain a more natural seasonal variation (annual
hydrograph) in freshwater flows by the year 2010 for:
1. Caloosahatchee River
2. Upper Peace River and its tributaries from Tenoroc to Zolfo Springs, and
3. The Upper Myakka River (with special attention to Flatford Swamp).
1-1 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Chapter 1.0
HA-3: Restore, enhance, and improve where practical historic subbasin boundaries and
natural hydrology for basins within the CHNEP study area, with special attention to
Outstanding Florida Waters, Class I waterbodies, and tributaries to Estero Bay by the
area 2020.
HA-B: Identify gaps in flow data based on ecosystem needs and projected needs for
water withdrawals due to population growth, development, agriculture, and mining.
Implement data collection to address these gaps.
HA-C: Evaluate the interaction between groundwater and surface water and how they
contribute to overall river flows.
HA-G: Plug abandoned groundwater wells to improve groundwater quality, increase
water levels, and promote water conservation.
HA-H: Where possible (practical), restore groundwater levels to historical seasonal mean
levels.

Chapter 1.0
FIGURE 1-1
EXTENT OF STUDY AREA

Chapter 1.0
In order for CHNEP partners to cooperatively implement these hydrologic goals, area resource
managers, planners and policy-makers need to understand the implications of changes in
groundwater and precipitation levels on stream flow and wetlands within the various subbasins.
These data are being collected and analyzed by CHNEP partners, but are not currently compiled
and housed within a central location. For example, often a groundwater analysis is not linked to
surficial features, or an analysis of stream flows is not linked in sufficient detail to groundwater
levels. The purpose of this effort was to collect and compile the available data and investigate
the correlations between the data (for instance, the relationship between rainfall and the elevation
of the water table within various aquifer systems) so that the data would be more easily
retrievable and suitable for decision-making purposes. The project entailed the synthesis of
previously-available status and trends analyses of water table elevations within the Surficial,
Intermediate and Floridan aquifers, precipitation data for the various groundwater sub-basins for
the entire period of record, and water quality analyses for each sub-basin and aquifer system.
These data were analyzed to discern any existing relationships between rainfall quantity, water
table elevation and changes in surface features such as stream flow, spring discharge and
sinkhole formation.
The surface water sub-basin delineations established by the CHNEP are as follows:
• Charlotte Harbor proper;

• Southern Charlotte Harbor, including San Carlos Bay, Matlacha Pass and Pine Island
Sound;
• The upper Peace River to Bartow, including the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Lake
Hancock and tributaries;
• The upper Peace River from Bartow to Zolfo Springs;
• The Peace River from Zolfo Springs to Arcadia and tributaries;
• Charlie Creek;
• Horse Creek;
• Joshua Creek;
• Payne Creek;
• Shell Creek;
• The coastal region of the Peace River and tributaries;
• The upper Myakka River, including Flatford Swamp and Tatum Sawgrass and
tributaries;
• The lower Myakka River and tributaries, including Warm Mineral Springs;
• The tidal Caloosahatchee River west of the Franklin Locks and tributaries;
• Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound and tributaries into both;
• Coastal Venice, including Cow Pen Slough, and Dona and Roberts Bays; and
• Estero Bay and tributaries.
Sources of data, descriptions of available data and the methodologies utilized to compile the data
and covert it to a useable form are discussed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses the physical
setting of the project area, with emphasis on the hydrogeology of the area and the interaction of
the hydrogeology and surface geomorphic features. The statistical analyses performed on the

Chapter 1.0
compiled data and the significance of any revealed statistical correlations are described in detail
in Chapter 4. The project work tasks and results, conclusions reached from the analyses and
recommendations for future studies are presented in Chapter 5.
1.2 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

The Charlotte Harbor NEP study area encompasses 4,400 square mile area from Coastal Venice
south to Estero Bay, including watersheds. Three major tributaries directly flow into Charlotte
Harbor: the Peace River (2,350 mi2), Myakka River (602 mi2) and Caloosahatchee River (1,378
mi2) (Hammett, K. M., 1988). Smaller rivers and tidal creeks along the coastal area (355 mi2,
not including Estero and Lemon Bays and Coastal Venice) also drain directly into the harbor.
Hammett, K. M., 1988 documented total freshwater inflows from the three river basins, the
coastal area, and direct rainfall, amounts to an average of between 5,700 ft3/s and 6,100 ft3/s, or
more than 3,500 million gallons per day (mgd). Inflow from the Caloosahatchee River averages
between 1,900 and 2,100 ft3/s. The Peace River contributes an average flow of 2,010 ft3/s.
Inflow from the Myakka River averages 630 ft3/s, only about one-third as much as either of the
other two rivers. Rainfall directly onto the harbor contributes the equivalent of 1,030 ft3/s of
freshwater. Drainage from the coastal basin averages 200 to 400 ft3/s, less than five percent of
the total freshwater entering Charlotte Harbor.
Landuse changes from urban and residential development, strip mining and agriculture in the
Charlotte Harbor region have affected groundwater levels and altered the timing, location and
quantity of freshwater flows to the harbor. Lowlands have been dredged and filled, and pastures
and crop land drained and cleared for residential and urban development in the coastal counties.
Transportation corridors, impervious surfaces, and canals and ditches associated with
urbanization truncate streams and natural flowways, resulting in more “flashy” systems,
decreases in storage capacity and aquifer recharge and altered wetland hydroperiods. Strip
mines remove and process phosphate rock in Polk, Hardee, and Manatee counties and leave
behind extensive areas of clay settling ponds. Although current regulations have reduced
pollution and conserved water from earlier practices, mining operations still result in changes to
water quality, disrupt wildlife habitats, and alter hydrology and groundwater recharge. Finally,
land clearing, leveling, and draining for row crops and citrus transform wildlife habitats, deplete
groundwater aquifers, pollute surface and groundwater with fertilizers and pesticides and alter
timing and quantity of freshwater to receiving waterbodies. Past technical reports, synthesized in
Chapter 2, have documented environmental results to these hydrologic alterations to the
Charlotte Harbor watershed.

Chapter 2.0
DATA COMPILATION
Numerous studies related to water quality, water supply and hydrology issues have been
completed in the area, resulting in data and reports that were obtained and reviewed for this
study. Data compiled included precipitation, streamflow, spring flow, groundwater levels,
groundwater withdrawals and water quality. An earlier report, Water Quality Data Analysis and
Report for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, dated August 27, 2003 and prepared
by Janicki Environmental, Inc., contained a summation of precipitation, streamflow, and water
quality data from throughout the study area and an examination of trends in that data. The
summations of data included in the 2003 report were utilized by the project team in our analyses
of data trends, thereby streamlining the process. Sources for applicable data included the
following:
• National Weather Service (NWS)

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
• Florida Geological Survey (FGS)
• Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
• South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
• Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
• United States Geological Survey (USGS)
• Lee, Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk, Hardee and De Soto Counties
• Cities of Sanibel, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Venice,
Punta Gorda, Myakka City, Winter Haven, Bartow, Arcadia, and North Port.
Reports from the various data sources were reviewed and relevant data were extracted from each.
The data compilation also included ongoing studies such as the SWFWMD minimum flows and
levels, upper Peace River studies, and periodically reviewed and modified permitting and
monitoring regulations. A synopsis of each reviewed report is provided in the following
sections. Following data collection and cataloging, databases of data were developed, and
geographical information systems (GIS) coverages and associated maps were developed and
updated. The study area is presented as Figure A1, and the 29 individual sub-basins are
indicated on Figure A2. Tabulated data for rainfall and evapotranspiration, stream flow,
groundwater table elevation (referred to as groundwater level), groundwater quality and
lake/other surface water levels are compiled in a Microsoft Access database which has been
copied to a compact disc (CD) and attached to the report as Appendix A.

Chapter 2.0
2.1 RAINFALL AND EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Rainfall data from 75 active rain gages maintained by the SWFWMD, the SFWMD and the Lee
County Division of Natural Resources (LCDNR) located throughout the study area was tabulated
from Internet data downloads and published reports. Rainfall data from these gages were
summarized in spreadsheet form for use in statistical analyses. Additionally, evapotranspiration
(ET) data from three active pans located in the study area was included in the tabulation. The
tabulated rainfall data are presented as a Microsoft Access database that is contained on a
Compact Disc (CD) attached to this report, The locations of the rain gages are indicated on
Figure A3 and the locations of the ET pans are indicated on Figure A4.
2.2 STREAM FLOW

Multiple rivers and streams traverse the study area, including the Peace River, Caloosahatchee
River, Myakka River, Estero River, Charlie Creek, Horse Creek, Joshua Creek and many others.
The USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and water management districts maintain
stream flow gages on these water bodies, and 130 of the currently-active gages are included in
the data compilation. Data from the gages was downloaded from the USGS Internet site as well
as water table elevation and water quality data. The stream flow data are compiled in a
Microsoft Access database which has been copied to a CD and attached to the report as
Appendix A, and the locations of the stream gages (referred to as Stage-Flow gages) are
presented on Figures A5 and A6.
2.3 GROUNDWATER
Water well installations in the study area are permitted by the SWFWMD and SFWMD in most
cases, with other wells permitted by local health departments, county agencies and the USGS.
Water table elevation data for the identified wells was downloaded from Internet sites for the
USGS, SWFWMD, SFWMD and LCDNR, and converted to an Excel database listing well
location, well construction details (diameter and depth), well use (monitoring, potable, irrigation,
industrial, agricultural) and water table elevation. Over 7,800 permitted wells exist within the
study area, including over 750 monitoring wells. The spreadsheets of groundwater level data are
compiled in a Microsoft Access database which has been copied to a CD and attached to the
report as Appendix A, and well location maps are presented as Figures A7, A8 and A9.
2.4 LAKES
Lakes within the study area typically occupy surface depressions or collapsed sinkholes. Water
levels (stage) in several lakes are recorded by the SWFWMD, SFWMD and USGS, with data

Chapter 2.0
from a total of 114 active lake stage gages utilized in the data compilation. Those data were
downloaded from the Internet sites for the agencies and converted into an Excel spreadsheet,
which was compiled in a Microsoft Access database which has been copied to a CD and attached
to the report as Appendix A. Lakes within the study area are visible on the study area map,
presented as Figure A1. The locations of the lake stage gages (referred to as Stage-Static gages)
are indicated on Figure A10.
2.5 SYNOPSES OF RELEVANT REPORTS

Synopses of reports obtained as part of the data collection effort are provided in this sub-section.
The synopses were prepared from direct extracts of report abstracts or summaries and
conclusions. Direct contact with multiple representatives of both the SWFWMD and SFWMD
yielded other sources of data not readily available on the agency-maintained Internet sites.
Barr, G.L., 1992. Ground-Water Contamination Potential and Quality in Polk County,
Florida. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 92-4086.
This report investigated the potential for contamination of groundwater in Polk County, Florida,
resulting from anthropogenic (man-induced) and hydrogeologic factors. Anthropogenic factors
are associated with land use in urban developed areas and industrial activities in the county,
including waste disposal practices, the use of agricultural chemicals on citrus and other crops,
and phosphate mining and related chemical processing. Hydrogeologic factors that may affect
the potential for ground-water contamination include the hydraulic properties of aquifers and
confining units that control movement of water through the groundwater system, including karst
features and subsurface fractures. Groundwater quality data from this and previous studies was
described by aquifer system and land-use type, including undeveloped areas, areas of intense
citrus farming, areas near point-source waste discharges, phosphate mining and reclamation
areas, and areas near phosphate chemical-processing plants. Water-quality data for 39 of the 95
wells sampled during the study had either constituent concentrations that exceeded FDER (now
FDEP) standards for public water supply, or had detectable concentrations of pesticides or
volatile organic compounds. Of those 39 samples, 32 were from wells open to the Intermediate
Aquifer system or to both the intermediate and the Upper Floridan Aquifers. Areas of intense
citrus farming were the only areas in which land use had discernable effects on water quality of
the upper Floridan Aquifer.
The Surficial Aquifer system was reported to have the greatest potential for contamination
because of its proximity to sources of surface contamination. Upland areas were designated as
having a high potential for contamination, while wetland areas were designated as having a low
potential for contamination because of low infiltration rates. The underlying Intermediate
Aquifer system was postulated to have a high potential for contamination in the sinkhole-prone
mid-county area, a moderate potential in the western part of the county, and a low potential in
the eastern part where artesian flow occurs. The Upper Floridan Aquifer is estimated to have a
2-3 Within The Charlotte Harbor NEP Study Area
Chapter 2.0
moderate potential for contamination in the central part of the county and low to very low
potential in the remainder of the county where artesian conditions prevail.
Barr, G.L., 1996. Hydrogeology of the Surficial and Intermediate Aquifer Systems in
Sarasota and Adjacent Counties, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources
Investigations Report 96-4063.
The hydrogeology of the Surficial and Intermediate Aquifer systems and the major permeable
zones within those aquifers in southwest Florida was studied. The study area is a 1,400-square-
mile area that includes Sarasota County and parts of Manatee, De Soto, Charlotte, and Lee
Counties. Lithologic data, geophysical parameters and water-level data within permitted wells
were used to map the horizontal and vertical extent of the aquifer systems. Water chemistry was
examined in southwest Sarasota County to evaluate the salinity of the surficial and Intermediate
Aquifer systems.
The report described the Surficial Aquifer as an unconfined aquifer system that overlies the
Intermediate Aquifer system and ranges from a few feet to over 60-feet thick in the study area.
Heterogeneity in aquifer properties were found across the study area. The Intermediate Aquifer
system was described as a confined aquifer system that lies between the Surficial and the Upper
Floridan Aquifers, composed of alternating confining units and permeable zones. Three major
permeable zones exhibiting a wide range of hydraulic properties were described, and horizontal
flow in the Intermediate Aquifer system was found to be from northeast to southwest. Most of
the study area is in a discharge area of the Intermediate Aquifer system.
Salinity in the aquifers was found to range from fresh in the Surficial Aquifer system and upper
permeable zones of the Intermediate Aquifer system to moderately saline in the lower permeable
zone. Water quality data collected in coastal southwest Sarasota County indicated that
groundwater withdrawals from major pumping centers resulted in lateral seawater intrusion and
upconing into the surficial and Intermediate Aquifer systems.
Basso, Ron, 2003. Predicted Change in Hydrologic Conditions along the Upper Peace River
due to a Reduction in Groundwater Withdrawals. Southwest Florida Water Management
District, Hydrologic Evaluation Section.
Groundwater withdrawals for mining, agriculture and public supply have lowered the
potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer over 40 feet since the 1930s in south-central
Polk County. Due to increasing ground water withdrawal rates within the Upper Floridan
aquifer, flow to Kissengen Spring, located on the upper Peace River near Fort Meade, declined
rapidly and ceased completely in 1950. Also, increased groundwater withdrawals may have
contributed to the decline in Peace River flows noted at the Bartow, Zolfo Springs and Arcadia
stream gage sites over the past 60 years. The purpose of the referenced study was to characterize
hydrologic conditions along the Upper Peace River and initially quantify the likely hydrologic
response due solely to reductions in existing rates of groundwater use. The results of this

Chapter 2.0
investigation would be included in the process establishing minimum flows and levels (MFLs)
for the Upper Peace River.
Graphical analyses and numerical model simulations examined by the author indicated that
reductions of existing groundwater withdrawal rates of between 60 and 100 percent would be
necessary to restore discharge at Kissengen Spring and restore some amount of the historical
Upper Floridan aquifer-related baseflow to the Upper Peace River.
Basso, Ron and Schultz, Richard, 2003. Long-term Variation in Rainfall and its effect on
Peace River Flow in West-Central Florida. Southwest Florida Water Management District,
Hydrologic Evaluation Section.
Previous studies by Hammett (1990) and Lewelling and others (1988) determined that
statistically significant declines in annual mean discharge for the Peace River at the Bartow,
Zolfo Springs and Arcadia gaging stations from the 1930s through 1994 had occurred. These
studies and others attributed the decline primarily to anthropogenic factors, including loss of
baseflow due to groundwater withdrawals and stormwater capture resulting from land-use
alterations. The study examined the role of long-term, multi-decadal variation in rainfall in the
lowing of stream flows.
A simulation of the natural system using the Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF)
was created, and the model results indicate that the magnitude of stream flow decline associated
with a rainfall decline of five inches per year varied between 22 and 35 percent for the three
referenced gaging stations. Review of single-mass plots of average annual river flow at the
Bartow, Zolfo Springs and Arcadia stations indicated that while not all of the stream flow decline
can be attributed to the decline in rainfall, over 90 percent of the stream flow decline for the
Zolfo Springs and Arcadia stations after 1970 can be directly attributed to long-term changes in
rainfall.
Bidlake, W., Woodham, W., Lopez, M., 1996. Evapotranspiration from Areas of Native
Vegetation in West-Central Florida. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2430.
A study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of three micrometeorological methods for
estimating instantaneous evapotranspiration from selected areas of native vegetation types to
estimate annual evapotranspiration from each vegetation type. Evapotranspiration was estimated
using the energy-balance Bowen ratio (EBBR) and eddy correlation methods. Potential
evapotranspiration was computed from field measurements and the Penman equation. Field
measurements were conducted intermittently from February 1988 to September 1990.
This study did not yield evidence to indicate that potential evapotranspiration estimates could be
used to obtain realistic estimates of evapotranspiration for the dry prairie vegetation type.
Potential evapotranspiration and evapotranspiration estimated by the EBBR method were not
correlated on a daily basis; also, seasonal patterns of the two variates were dissimilar, and annual
potential evapotranspiration was 80 percent greater than annual evapotranspiration estimates
Chapter 2.0
based on EBGR and eddy correlation measurements. Daily potential evapotranspiration was
correlated with evapotranspiration estimated by the EBBR method at a marsh site during late
spring and summer, indicating that potential evapotranspiration could be useful for estimating
evapotranspiration for the marsh vegetation type during at least part of the year. Future
comparisons can reveal how the relation between potential evapotranspiration and actual
evapotranspiration varies by season at marsh sites.
Daily evapotranspiration, as estimated by the EBBR and ECEBBR methods, varies seasonally
for each vegetation type. Maximum evapotranspiration occurred during May, June, or July for
each vegetation type, and minimum evapotranspiration occurred during the months of November
through March.
Annual evapotranspiration was estimated for each vegetation type by pooling daily EBBR and
eddy correlation estimates among sites and among the three years during which field
measurements were made. Three different annual estimates, which corresponded to the three
different computation methods for eddy correlation data, were developed for each vegetation
type. When the ECEBBR computation method was used, the annual evapotranspiration
estimates ranged from 970 mm/yr for a cypress swamp site to 1,060 mm/yr for a pine flatwood
site.
Bower, Adams, 2001. A Three-Dimensional Finite Difference Ground Water Flow Model of
Lee County, Florida. Technical Publication DRE-287.
A three-dimensional flow model of the aquifers underlying Lee County, Florida, was developed
using the U.S. Geological Survey MODFLOW code. The model comprised seven layers,
corresponding to the Water Table Aquifer (Surficial), Lower Tamiami, Sandstone, mid-
Hawthorne, and Lower Hawthorn Aquifers (Intermediate) and the upper two zones of the
Suwannee Aquifer (Floridan), and a finite-difference grid of 42 rows and 48 columns. Initial
Aquifer parameters were obtained from recent reports on a wellfield protection zone model and a
water resources study. A transient calibration was performed; calibration was made by
comparing computed heads against observed water levels in an extensive monitor well network.
In sensitivity testing, the sandstone aquifer and lower Hawthorn Aquifer layers proved somewhat
sensitive to changes in vertical hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity, and the mid-Hawthorn
layer is quite sensitive to changes in both vertical hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity.
Two predictive simulations, being the high and low water use estimates for the year 2010, were
examined. In the high water use simulation, the mid-Hawthorn becomes dewatered in parts of
Cape Coral. In both simulations, water levels below sea level persist in the lower Tamiami layer
in the Bonita Springs area. Strict water management is accordingly recommended, as is more
investigation of the hydrology of the lower Hawthorn and Suwannee Aquifers.

Chapter 2.0
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. Proposed Environmental Indicators and

Management Goals for the Peace and Myakka Rivers Technical Report August 2001.
This report summarized the results of a project to establish environmental indicators and
management goals for the Peace and Myakka Rivers. The results can be used by management
organizations such as the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP), Water
Management Districts, and local governments to determine research, monitoring, and restoration
priorities and project. Using a process that gathered the region’s scientific experts, this project
reviewed the priority environmental issues in these two river basins in central and southwest
Florida. By dividing the experts into two groups—one that focused on the upper river basins and
another that focused on the lower river basins—the issues, indicators, and management goals
were identified that are specific to these watersheds.
Most of the priority issues identified in the upper and lower basins were similar to one another.
However, the upper river experts added the issue “Future Land Use” while the lower river group
added the issue “Human/Resource Use Conflicts.” The other priority issues that apply to both
sub-basins include: Hydrologic alterations; fish and wildlife habitat loss; nutrient enrichment;
and pathogens and toxins.
Coastal Environmental Services, Inc., 1998. Tree Mortality Assessment of the Upper
Myakka River Watershed. Southwest Florida Water Management District.
CES documented an increasing surface flow trend in the upper Myakka River basin upstream
from SR-70 from 1978 to 1996 with the slope of the trend estimated at 0.03 inches per month for
each year of this time period. Annual low flows have almost tripled since 1985-88. A large tree
die-off in Flatford Swamp and other areas is due to hydrologic stress from prolonged
hydroperiods. Increased baseflow contributions from groundwater pumping was the suspected
cause for these findings.
Cunningham, K.J., Locker S.D., Hine A.C., Bukry D., Barron, J.A., and Guertin L.A.,
2001. Surface-Geophysical Characterization of Ground-Water Systems of the
Caloosahatchee River Basin, Southern Florida. U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources
Investigations Report 01-4084
The Caloosahatchee River Basin, located in southwestern Florida, includes about 1,200 square
miles of land. The Caloosahatchee River receives water from Lake Okeechobee, runoff from the
watershed, and seepage from the underlying ground-water systems; the river loses water through
drainage to the Gulf of Mexico and withdrawals for public-water supply and agricultural and
natural needs. Water-use demands in the Caloosahatchee River Basin have increased
dramatically, and the Caloosahatchee could be further stressed if river water is used to
accommodate restoration of the Everglades. Water managers and planners need to know how
much water will be used within the river basin and how much water is contributed by Lake
Okeechobee, runoff, and groundwater.

Chapter 2.0
In this study, marine seismic-reflection and ground-penetrating radar techniques were used as a
means to evaluate the potential for flow between the river and ground-water systems. Seven test
coreholes were drilled to calibrate lithostratigraphic units, their stratal geometries, and estimated
hydraulic conductivities to surface-geophysical profiles. A continuous marine seismic-reflection
survey was conducted over the entire length of the Caloosahatchee River and extending into San
Carlos Bay. Lithostratigraphic units that intersect the river bottom and their characteristic stratal
geometries were identified. Results show that subhorizontal reflections assigned to the Tamiami
Formation intersect the river bottom between Moore Haven and about nine miles westward.
Oblique and sigmoidal progradational reflections assigned to the upper Peace River Formation
probably crop out at the floor of the river in the Ortona area between the western side of Lake
Hicpochee and La Belle. These reflections image a regional-scale progradational deltaic
depositional system containing quartz sands with low to moderate estimated hydraulic
conductivities. In an approximate six-mile length of the river between La Belle and Franklin
Lock, deeper karstic collapse structures are postulated. These structures influence the geometries
of parallel reflections that intersect the river channel. Here, reflections assigned to the
Buckingham Limestone Member of the Tamiami Formation (a confining unit) and reflections
assigned to the clastic zone of the sandstone aquifer likely crop out at the river bottom. Beneath
these shallow reflections, relatively higher amplitude parallel reflections of the carbonate zone of
the sandstone aquifer are well displayed in the seismic-reflection profiles. In San Carlos Bay,
oblique progradational reflections assigned to the upper Peace River Formation are shown
beneath the bay. Almost everywhere beneath the river, a diffuse ground-water flow system is in
contact with the channel bottom.
Ground-penetrating radar profiles of an area about two miles north of the depositional axis of the
deltaic depositional system in the Ortona area show that progradational clinoforms imaged on
seismic reflection profiles in the Caloosahatchee River are present within about 17 feet of the
ground surface. Ground-penetrating radar profiles show southward dipping, oblique
progradational reflections assigned to the upper Peace River Formation that are terminated at
their tops by a toplapping or erosional discontinuity. These clinoformal reflections image clean
quartz sand that is probably characterized by moderate hydraulic conductivity. This sand could
be mapped using ground-penetrating radar methods
DelCharco, M.J., 1998. Tidal Flow in Selected Areas of Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor,
Florida, 1995-96. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4265.
Field measurements of flow are necessary to understand flow patterns in the Tampa Bay and the
Charlotte Harbor estuarine systems and their sounds. Previously, flow patterns were studied
using numerical models calibrated using limited data sets. Measurements of vertical velocity
were made with a broad-band acoustic Doppler current profiler under various tidal, wind, and
freshwater flow conditions to understand the physical processes that control flow at the mouths
of these large estuaries and sounds. These measurements support published results, which state
that the driving forces of estuarine flow in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor are tides and
physical features, such as channels and shoals.
Chapter 2.0
Both systems are typically well mixed and have relatively small freshwater inflows. Therefore,
salinity stratifications seldom influence the flow patterns at the mouths of Tampa Bay and
Charlotte Harbor. Flow measured at Boca Grande Pass, the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, ranged
from 418,000 to -398,000 ft3/s and was distributed evenly because of the short width of the
channel and the uniform cross-section depths. Many of the measurements indicated an ebb flow
near Gasparilla Island, the result of a circulation eddy caused by a deep channel on the southeast
side of the island. Measurements made by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1986 were of the same
magnitude as those measured in this study, and showed the uniform flow patterns seen in most of
the measurements.
Flow through Pine Island Sound is restricted due to the shallow water depth and numerous shoals
and islands. Flow data indicate that the Intracoastal Waterway carries the majority of flow into
and out of the upper west side of Pine Island Sound, an area that is influenced most by Boca
Grande Pass. Measurements made east of Useppa Island suggest that a natural channel carries
the majority of flow to the upper east side of Pine Island Sound and flow influenced more
strongly by Captiva Pass than by Boca Grande Pass. Flows previously simulated by a numerical
model showed similar flow patterns in channels and around the shoals and islands in the northern
end of Pine Island Sound.
Fernandez, Jr. M., Marot M., and Holmes C., 1999. Reconnaissance of Chemical and
Physical Characteristics of Selected Bottom Sediments of the Caloosahatchee River and
Estuary, Tributaries, and Contiguous Bays, Lee County, Florida, July 20-30, 1998. U.S.
Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 99-226.
This report summarized a reconnaissance study, conducted July 20-30, 1998, of chemical and
physical characteristics of recently deposited bottom sediments in the Caloosahatchee River and
Estuary. Recently deposited sediments were identified using an isotopic chronometer, Beryllium-
7 (7Be), a short-lived radioisotope. Fifty-nine sites were sampled in an area that encompasses the
Caloosahatchee River (River) about three miles upstream from the Franklin Lock (S-79), the
entire tidally affected length of the river (estuary), and the contiguous water bodies of Matlacha
Pass, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay, Tarpon Bay, and Pine Island Sound in Lee County, Florida.
From the results of the 7Be analysis, 30 sites were selected for physical and chemical analysis.
Sediments were analyzed for particle size, total organic carbon (TOC), trace elements, and toxic
organic compounds, using semiquantitative methods for trace elements and organic compounds.
The semiquantitative scans of trace elements indicated that cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc
concentrations, when normalized to aluminum, were above the natural background range at 24 of
30 sites. Particle size and TOC were used to characterize sediment deposition patterns and
organic content. Pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and carcinogenic polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (CaPAHs) were determined at 30 sites using immunoassay analysis. The
semiquantitative immunoassay analyses of toxic organic compounds indicated that all of the
samples contained DDT, cyclodienes as chlordane (pesticides), and CaPAHs. PCBs were not
detected.

Chapter 2.0
Based on analyses of the 30 sites, sediments at 10 of these sites were analyzed for selected trace
elements and toxic organic compounds, including pesticides, PCBs, and PAHs, using
quantitative laboratory Procedures. No arsenic or cadmium was detected. Zinc was detected at
two sites with concentrations greater than the lower limit of the range of sediment contaminant
concentrations that are usually or always associated with adverse effects (FDEP’s Sediment
Quality Assessment Guidelines). Organochlorine pesticides were detected at four sites at
concentrations below the reporting limits; there were no organophosphorus pesticides or PCBs
detected. PAHs were detected at eight sites; however, only four sites had concentrations above
the reporting limit.
Flannery, Michael S. and Barcelo, Mark, 1998. Spatial and Temporal Patterns of
Streamflow Trends in Proceedings of the Charlotte Harbor Public Conference and
Technical Symposium, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program.
The authors found that groundwater levels in the upper Peace River have started to recover since
the mid 1970s. Much of this recovery was attributed to reduced groundwater usage since that
time by the phosphate industry with improved water use efficiencies. There are significant
increasing trends in surface flow for the period of record (1937-1996) at a slope of +0.3 and post
1975 (slope of +1.8) in the upper Myakka River and 3 periods in Joshua Creek, 1951-1996;
1965-1996 and 1975-1996 with slopes of +0.8, +1.6 and +3.6, respectively. The effort found
pronounced increases in 90% exceedance flows (low flows) in the tributaries and deduced that
groundwater used for agricultural irrigation supplements the surficial aquifer in these basins.
This results in greater baseflow and runoff to the receiving tributaries.
Florida Geological Survey. Springs of Florida. Distribution of Florida Springs. Geological

Bulletin No. 31. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/springs_of_fl/aaj7320/distibu.html
This report described the distribution of springs within the state of Florida and the physical
characteristics of major springs. Because springs are not randomly located, the discussions on
geology and hydrology show that certain environmental factors affect the potential for spring
development. Where the primary physical control is a downcutting river of a local karst
topographic feature, the effect may be a regional concentration of springs as in the Suwannee
River basin, or an isolated spring as in Sarasota County.
Of the 300 springs listed in this report, most are the result of regional influences, with only a few
being the result of local influence. The few water table "seeps" or "filtration" springs are mainly
in northern Florida. Others are unusual in that they are "deep source" springs.
The CHNEP lies within the Western Coastal Area hydrologic sub-region, as identified in the
report. Consisting of the west-central part of Florida's peninsula, this hydrologic sub-region
encompasses 9,811 square miles in the Coastal Lowlands and Central Highlands. It is an area of
low plains, of hilly areas in the eastern extremes, and of karst features in the central and northern
parts. About a dozen of the 61 known springs are karst related and situated along the coast in
Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties, whereas most of the others, in Citrus, Marion, Sumpter,
Chapter 2.0
Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties area associated with downcutting river systems. Two springs
in south Sarasota County are deep warm water springs. An update to this report, published as
FGS Bulletin No 66, was published in 2004.
Gore PhD., J.A., Dahm PhD., C., Kilmas PhD., C., 2002. A Review of “Upper Peace River:
An Analysis of Minimum Flows and Levels”
This report summarized the Scientific Peer Review Panel’s evaluation of the scientific and
technical data, assumptions, and methodologies used by the SWFWMD in the development of its
proposed minimum flows and minimum levels (MLFs) for the Upper Peace River.
To the best of its abilities, the Peer Review Panel has not only attempted to provide a critical
review of the methods, data, and conclusions of the District, but has suggested a number of
improvements and guidelines for future decisions on the restoration or rehabilitation of the
Upper Peace River. We consider the proposed MLFs to be a good first step in the management
process but cannot be the only step.
The resource management goals for the Upper Peace River are to:
• Maintain minimum depths for fish passage and canoeing in the upper river
• Maintain depths above inflection point in the wetted perimeter of the stream
bottom
• Inundate woody habitats in the stream channel
• Meet the hydrologic requirements of floodplain biological communities
.
These goals represent a reasonable subset of potential goals for an improved biotic community in
the degraded upper basin. The rationale for choosing these goals is clearly presented and
scientifically justified.
In general, the wetted perimeter approach does an adequate job to predict levels that will address
the management goals, as described. As an initial step, maintaining fish passage, that is, the
connectivity of the system, is a necessary goal. The assumption of a desired elevation of the
channel at its deepest point being 0.6 feet above minimum elevation for fish passage is
reasonable. The application of the HEC-RAS model to generate a wetted perimeter versus flow
plot for each transect also is a justifiable scientific approach.
In order to complete an effective program of rehabilitation of the upper Peace River, we suggest
that the current management goals may not adequately address the linkages between instream
flow-related (hydraulic) habitat requirements of resident biota and discharge conditions over the
range of life-stages and functions of various species within the community. Future efforts to
enhance the integrity of the upper Peace River may require that these linkages be established. We
understand the constraints placed upon the current study and our comments are provided to
encourage the District to frequently revisit this study and to view the establishment of MLFs and

Chapter 2.0
rehabilitation goals as a dynamic process that results in improved flow criteria as new data and
techniques are acquired.
The District has completed a comprehensive data set for application to the wetted perimeter
method for minimum flow analysis. However, the question of “best available data to establish
minimum flows” cannot be entirely evaluated. There are many alternative techniques for
predicting or analyzing minimum flows in fluvial systems. Some of these techniques would
require more comprehensive instream physical data than reported in this study. For example, the
linkage between hydraulic habitat requirements of species’ life-stages must be evaluated by an
incremental evaluation, across each transect, of velocity, depth, and substrate/cover criteria as
well as the development or acquisition of habitat suitability information for those target species.
We do not know if these data were acquired as part of the generally excellent study design but
not reported since they are not appropriate to a wetted perimeter estimate.
The Peer Review Panel has reviewed several techniques that it considers to be alternatives to the
MLF procedures employed by the district. All of these techniques would require a greater effort
in data collection and analysis; however, the panel feels that such an analysis would lead to more
sound management strategies to maintain the integrity of the catchment ecosystems. Specifically,
we suggest that the instream flow incremental approach (IFIM) might be considered as the next
management step as a means of connecting physical habitat requirements and availability to the
MLFs already established.
As noted, one of the weaknesses of the District report is the ability to link maintenance of
medium and high flows to maintenance of riparian floodplains. This linkage is a critical
component for the maintenance of the integrity of the Upper Peace River catchment. We suggest
that the ultimate goal for restoration of that integrity will necessarily be the recreation of that
medium and high flows that establish these linkages. Regardless of the final management
decisions and modeling techniques chosen by the district to achieve this goal, there are a number
of so-called building block models to provide a way to more closely mirror original hydrologic
and hydroperiodic conditions within the basin. We have presented several of these building block
approaches and suggest that the District consider employment of these models as the next step in
building upon an impressive and quite comprehensive data set.
Hammett, K. M., 1988. Land Use, Water Use, Streamflow, and Water-Quality
Characteristics of the Charlotte Harbor Inflow Area, Florida. Open-File Report 87-472.
Charlotte Harbor, with a surface area of about 270 mi2, is the second largest estuarine system in
Florida and is being subjected to the environmental stresses of rapid growth and development.
The estuary is affected not only by changes in the surrounding coastal area but also by changes
throughout the inflow area, which is composed of the Myakka River basin (602 mi2), the Peace
River basin (2,350 mi2), the Caloosahatchee River basin (1,378 mi2), and the coastal area and
islands (355 mi2) that drain directly into the harbor.

Chapter 2.0
Hurricanes and other tropical cyclones produce the most severe weather conditions in the area.
In addition to causing severe coastal and riverine flooding, these storms have the potential to
alter the physiography of Charlotte Harbor. Along the 30 nautical miles of coast from Gasparilla
Island to Sanibel Island, six to seven hurricanes or tropical storms can be expected to make
landfall, and three hurricanes or tropical storms can be expected to exist to the Gulf of Mexico
every 100 years. Hurricane Alma, in 1966, was the last hurricane to pass within 50 miles of the
harbor.
Throughout the inflow area, a shallow water table aquifer system is underlain by the artesian
Hawthorn Aquifer and under this the artesian Floridan Aquifer system. Springs in the Peace and
Myakka River basins indicate a probable hydraulic connection between those rivers and the
underlying artesian Aquifer systems. The Caloosahatchee River appears to be hydraulically
connected only with the Surficial Aquifer system.
The Myakka River has large areas of overflow surface storage with some diking but is virtually
unregulated. The flow of the Peace River is unregulated throughout its length. There are,
however, many canals and controls between the lakes in the headwaters area of the Peace River.
The flow of the Caloosahatchee River is regulated along its entire length. There is extensive
channelization near the mouths of all three rivers.
Total freshwater inflow from the three river basins, the coastal area, and direct rainfall, amounts
to an average of between 5,700 ft3/s and 6,100 ft3/s, or more than 3,500 Mgal/d. Inflow from the
Caloosahatchee River averages between 1,900 and 2,100 ft3/s. The Peace River contributes an
average flow of 2,010 ft3/s. Inflow from the Myakka River averages 630 ft3/s, only about one-
third as much as either of the other two rivers. Rainfall directly onto the harbor contributes the
equivalent of1,030 ft3/s of freshwater. Drainage from the coastal basin averages 200 to 400 ft3/s,
less than five percent of the total freshwater entering Charlotte Harbor.
A long-term trend analyses of streamflow data shows a statistically significant (90-percent

confidence interval) decreasing trend at the Peace River stations at Bartow, Zolfo Springs, and
Arcadia. There is no significant trend in streamflow data for stations of the Myakka and
Caloosahatchee Rivers. Since 1933, the annual mean flow of the Peace River at Zolfo Springs
has declined at a median rate of 6.2 ft3/s per year. It is not possible to determine whether the
trend will continue. But if the trend does continue at the same rate, except for brief periods of
storm runoff, the Peace River at Zolfo Springs could be dry year-round in about 100 years. The
decreasing trend in streamflow may be related to a long-term decline in the potentiometric
surface of the underlying Floridan Aquifer system, which resulted from ground-water
withdrawals.

Chapter 2.0
Hammett, K. M., 1992. Physical Processes, Salinity Characteristics, and Potential Salinity
Changes due to Freshwater Withdrawals in the Tidal Myakka River, Florida. Water-
Resources Investigations Report 90-4054.
The Myakka River basin drains 602 mi2 in west-central Florida and the river is one of the three
main tributaries to Charlotte Harbor. Sarasota County is evaluating the Myakka River as a
potential source of water for municipal supply; however, reducing fresh-water inflow to the tidal
reach of the Myakka River could alter salinity patterns in the reach, affecting the ecosystem. To
evaluate the potential effects on the system, the relation between freshwater inflow, tide, and
salinity must be understood.
The location of the farthest upstream incursion of saltwater, defined as the 0.5 ppt line of equal
salinity, was estimated by regression analysis as a function of freshwater inflow and height of
high tide. During the period of record from 1983-87, the farthest incursion of the 0.5 ppt line of
equal salinity averaged about 14 mi upstream from Cattle Dock Point. On some days, saltwater
is estimated to have reached the control near Laurel. Saltwater reached at least as far as river
mile 7.0 every day during the period of record.
Reducing freshwater inflow by five percent and maintaining regulatory minimum monthly flows
would result in the 0.5 ppt line of equal salinity moving upstream an average of 0.1 mi. A 10-
percent diversion of freshwater would result in saltwater moving upstream an average of 0.2 mi
and a maximum of 0.7 mi. Diverting 25 percent of freshwater at the upstream end of the tidal
reach, which would exceed current regulatory limits, would allow the 0.5 ppt line of equal
salinity to move upstream an average of 0.6 mi and a maximum of 1.9 mi.
Holzschuh, Joseph C. III, 1972. The State of Water Resources within the Peace River
Basin with Emphasis on Ground Water.
Due to the problems associated with surface water reservoirs within the Peace River Basin, it is
imperative that the groundwater resources of the basin be protected as the best and most
economical source of potable water.
Two areas within the basin have been experiencing relatively rapid changes in the state of their
groundwater resources. The Northern area of the Peace River Basin has seen water levels within
the Floridan Aquifer decline an average of 38 feet in the last 22 years. Overpumpage,
aggravated by a long but mild drought, is thought to be the cause. Water levels in Southern
Peace River Basin have remained relatively constant, but poor well construction has resulted in
the contamination of shallow zones within the Floridan Aquifer with highly mineralized water
from deeper zones. As a result, potable ground-water is becoming increasingly difficult to
develop within the area. The third or Central area has only recently experienced sizable declines
in water levels, however, all the data necessary to make an accurate assessment of the area are
not in yet. In addition, proposed developments in this area, will in the near future, increase
groundwater demands severely.

Chapter 2.0
Hughes, G.H., 1981. Low-Flow Frequency Data for Selected Stream-Gaging Stations in
Florida. Open-File Report 81-69.
This report contains tables of low-flow frequency data for 161 stream gaging stations in Florida.
The selected stations represent those having suitable flow records spanning seven or more years.
Flow values representing the annual minimum average flow for selected periods ranging from
one to 183 days are presented for recurrence intervals ranging from two to 50 years. The low-
flow frequency data of relatively short-term stations were adjusted where possible of basis of
records of long-term stations to reduce the possible bias introduced by short-term climatic trends.
Kane, R.L., and Fletcher W.L., 2003. Water Resources Data Florida Water Year 2002
Volume 3A. Southwest Florida Surface Water Water-Data Report FL-02-3A
This volume of the annual hydrologic data report of Florida is one of a series of annual reports
that document hydrologic data gathered for the U.S. Geological Survey’s surface- and ground-
water data collection networks in each state, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories. These
records of streamflow, ground-water levels, and quality of water provide the hydrologic
information needed by State, local, and Federal agencies, and the private sector for developing
and managing our Nation’s land and water resources. Hydrologic data for Florida are contained
in four volumes.
Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Volume 2. South Florida
Volume 3, Southwest Florida
Volume 4, Northwest Florida
Kane, R.L., and Fletcher W.L., 2003. Water Resources Data Florida Water Year 2002
Volume 3B. Southwest Florida Ground Water Water-Data Report FL-02-3B
that document hydrologic data gathered for the U.S. Geological Survey’s surface- and
groundwater data collection networks in each state, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories. These
information needed by State, local, and Federal agencies, and the private sector for developing
and managing our Nation’s land and water resources. Hydrologic data for Florida are contained
in four volumes.


Chapter 2.0
Knochenmus, L., Bowman, G., 1998. Transmissivity and Water Quality of Water-
Producing Zones in the Intermediate Aquifer System, Sarasota County, Florida. USGS
Water Resources Investigations Report 98-4091.
The Intermediate Aquifer system is an important water source in Sarasota County, Florida,
because the quality of water in it is usually better than that in the underlying Upper Floridan
Aquifer. The Intermediate Aquifer system consists of a group of up to three water-producing
zones separated by less-permeable units that restrict the vertical movement of groundwater
between zones. The diverse lithology that makes up the Intermediate Aquifer system, reflects
the variety of depositional environments that occurred during the late Oligocene and Liocene
epochs. Slight changes in the depositional environment resulted in aquifer heterogeneity,
creating both localized connection between water-producing zones and abrupt culmination of
water-producing zones that are not well documented. Aquifer heterogeneity results in vertical
and areal variability in hydraulic and water-quality properties.
The uppermost water-producing zone is designated Producing Zone 1 but is not extensively used
because of its limited production capability and limited areal extent. The second water-
producing zone is designated Producing Zone 2, and most of the domestic- and irrigation-supply
wells in the area are open to this zone. Additionally, Producing Zone 2 is utilized for public
supply in southern coastal areas of Sarasota County. Producing Zone 3 is the lowermost and
most productive water-producing zone in the Intermediate Aquifer system. Public-supply well
fields serving the cities of Sarasota and Venice, as well as the Plantation and Mabry Carlton
Reserve well fields, utilize Producing Zone 3.
Heads within the Intermediate Aquifer system generally increase with aquifer depth. However,
localized head-gradient reversals occur in the study area, coinciding with sites of intense ground-
water withdrawals. Heads in Producing Zones 1, 2, and 3 range from one to 23, 0.2 to 34, and
seven to 42 feet above sea level, respectively. Generally, an upward head gradient exists
between Producing Zones 3 and 2. However, an upward head gradient between Producing Zones
2 and 1 does not consistently occur throughout Sarasota County, probably the result of greater
ground-water withdrawals from Producing Zone 2 than from Producing Zone 1.
The transmissivity of the Intermediate Aquifer system is spatially variable. Specific-capacity

data from selected wells penetrating producing zones 2 and 3, were used to estimate
transmissivity. Estimated transmissivity values for producing zones 2 and 3 range from about
100 to 26,000 feet squared per day and from about 1,300 to 6,200 feet squared per day,
respectively. Because the capacity of specific water-producing zones is highly variable from site
to site, estimating the performance of a specific water-producing zone as a water resource is
difficult.

Chapter 2.0
Lee County Natural Resources Division, 2004, Hydrological Data Network 2003 Annual
Report.
This document catalogues the locations and general water level trend (increasing level,
decreasing level or no trend) in each of 132 monitoring wells in 48 watersheds that comprise the
hydrological data network maintained by the County. Based upon this report, the County
identified 17 wells with an increasing water level trend, 21 wells with a decreasing water level
trend and 94 wells showing no discernable trend over the period of record (generally 1990 to
2003).
Levesque, V.A., and Hammett K.M., 1997. Comparison of Two Methods for Estimating
Discharge and Nutrient Loads from Tidally Affected Reaches of the Myakka and Peace
Rivers, West-Central Florida USGS Water Resources Investigations Report 97-118.
The Myakka and Peace River Basins constitute more than 60 percent of the total inflow area and
contribute more than half the total tributary inflow to the Charlotte Harbor estuarine system.
Water discharge and nutrient enrichment have been identified as significant concerns in the
estuary, and consequently, it is important to accurately estimate the magnitude of discharges and
nutrient loads transported by inflows from both rivers.
Two methods for estimating discharge and nutrient loads from tidally affected reaches of the
Myakka and Peace Rivers were compared. The first method was a tidal-estimation method, in
which discharge and nutrient loads were estimated based on stage, water-velocity, discharge, and
water-quality data collected near the mouths of the rivers. The second method was a traditional
basin ratio method in which discharge and nutrient loads at the mouths were estimated from
discharge and loads measured at upstream stations.
Stage and water-velocity data were collected near the river mouths by submersible instruments,
deployed in situ, and discharge measurements were made with an acoustic Doppler current
profiler. The data collected near the mouths of the Myakka River and Peace River were filtered,
using a low-pass filter, to remove daily mixed-tide effects with periods less than about two days.
The filtered data from near the river mouths were used to calculate daily mean discharge and
nutrient loads. These tidal-estimation-method values were then compared to the basin-ratio-
method values. Four separate 30-day periods of differing streamflow conditions were chosen for
monitoring and comparison.
Discharge and nutrient load estimates computed from the tidal-estimation and basin-ratio
methods were most similar during high-flow periods. However, during high flow, the values
computed from the tidal-estimation method for the Myakka and Peace Rivers were consistently
lower than the values computed from the basin-ratio method. There were substantial differences
between discharges and nutrient loads computed from the tidal-estimation and basin-ratio
methods during low-flow periods. Furthermore, the differences between the methods were not
consistent. Discharges and nutrient loads computed from the tidal-estimation method for the
Myakka River were higher than those computed from the basin ratio method, whereas discharges
Chapter 2.0
and nutrients loads computed by the tidal-estimation method for the Peace River were not only
lower than those computed from the basin-ratio method, but they actually reflected a negative, or
upstream, net movement. Short-term tidal measurement results should be used with caution,
because antecedent conditions can influence the discharge and nutrient loads. Continuous tidal
data collected over a 1- or 2-year period would be necessary to more accurately estimate the
tidally affected discharge and nutrient loads for the Myakka and Peace River Basins.
Lewelling, B. R, 1997. Hydrologic and Water-Quality Conditions in the Horse Creek

Basin, West-Central Florida, October 1992-February 1995. Water-Resources
A baseline study of the 241-square-mile Horse Creek basin was undertaken from October 1992
to February 1995 to assess the hydrologic and water-quality conditions of one of the last
remaining undeveloped basins in west-central Florida. During the period of the study, much of
the basin remained in a natural state, except for limited areas of cattle and citrus production and
phosphate mining. During the study, rainfall in the Horse Creek basin was eight and 31 percent
above the 30-year long-term average for 1993 and 1994, respectively. The lowest and highest
maximum instantaneous peak discharge of the six daily discharge stations occurred at the
Buzzard Roost Branch and the Horse Creek near Arcadia stations with 185 to 4,180 ft3/s,
respectively. The Horse Creek near Arcadia station had the lowest number of no-flow days with
zero days and the Brushy Creek station had the highest number with 113 days. During the study,
the West Fork Horse Creek subbasin had the highest daily mean discharge per square mile with
30.6 (ft3/s)/mi2, and the largest runoff coefficient of 43.7 percent. The Buzzard Roost Branch
subbasin had the lowest daily mean discharge per square mile with 5.05 (ft3/s)/mi2, and Brushy
Creek and Brandy Branch shared the lowest runoff coefficient of 0.6 percent. Brandy Brach had
the highest monthly mean runoff in both 1993 ad 1994 with 11.48 and 19.28 in., respectively.
During the high-baseflow seepage run, seepage gains were 8.87 ft3/s along the 43-mile long
Horse Creek channel. However, during the low-baseflow seepage run, seepage losses were 0.88
ft3/s.
Three methods were used to estimate average annual ground-water recharge in the Horse Creek
basin: (1) well hydrograph, (2) chloride mass balance, and (3) streamflow hydrograph.
Estimated average annual recharge using these three methods ranged from 3.6 to 8.7 in/yr.
Results from the well hydrograph and chloride ratio method, which used the same 8 Surficial
Aquifer wells, were similar with 8.7 and 7.4 in/yr, respectively. The lower recharge estimation
of 3.6-in/yr using the streamflow hydrograph method may be related to riparian
evapotranspiration.

Chapter 2.0
Lewelling, B. R., and Wylie, R. W., 1993. Hydrology and Water Quality of Unmined and
Reclaimed Basins in Phosphate-Mining Areas, West-Central Florida. Water-Resources
The effects of reclamation of phosphate-mined lands on the hydrology and water quality of
surface-and ground-water resources in west-central Florida was the subject of a study conducted
during 1988-90. The background hydrologic characteristics and water quality of three small
unmined basins in the area were compared to those of five reclaimed phosphate-mined basins
that represented four unique reclamation methods.
The hydrologic effects of reclamation vary with the type of fill material used during reclamation.
Reclamation commonly involves backfilling mined areas with either clay, sand-tailings, or both,
as well as overburden displaced during mining. The clay and sand-tailings are separated from
the phosphate matrix (phosphate, sand, and clay) during ore processing. Peak runoff rates from
the reclaimed basins generally were higher than those from the unmined basins during intense,
short-duration thunderstorms; however, peak runoff rates during low-intensity, long-duration
frontal storms were similar at all basins. Runoff responds more slowly to rainfall in the reclaimed
basins than in the unmined basins because of undeveloped drainage systems in the reclaimed
basins. Based on streamflow records collected during this study, no flow occurred about 31
percent of the time at sites on streams in the unmined basins and from 16 to 90 percent of the
time at sites on streams in the reclaimed basins.
Results of analyses of water samples from the Surficial Aquifer system indicated higher
concentrations of most constituents in water from the reclaimed basins than in water from the
unmined basins. Concentrations of dissolved solids, iron, sulfate, manganese, and lead exceeded
regulatory standards at various reclaimed basins; however, iron concentrations and gross-alpha
activities were the only constituents to exceed Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
standards at the unmined basins. Radiochemical analyses of water from the Surficial Aquifer
system at two unmined basins indicated gross-alpha activities of 53.0 and 37.4 picocurioes per
liter, much greater than the gross-alpha activities of 1.90 to 5.24 picocuries per liter from the
reclaimed basins. The higher activities at the unmined basins are attributed to phosphate-ore
deposits in the area around the sampled wells. Radiochemical analyses of water from streams
during base-flow and high-flow conditions indicate that the water chemistry of the unmined and
the reclaimed basins area similar.
Lewelling, B. R., Tihansky, A. B., and Kindinger, J. L., 1998, Assessment of the Hydraulic
Connection Between Ground Water and the Peace River, West-Central Florida. Water-
Resources Investigations Report 97-4211.
The Peace River drains a 2,350-mi2 area of west-central Florida where regional ground-water
withdrawals have stressed the capacity of the aquifers to supply the municipal, agricultural, and
industrial needs of this rapidly developing area. Alternative surface-water sources, such as the
Peace River, are being used to augment ground-water use. The hydraulic connection between

Chapter 2.0
the Peace River and the underlying aquifers was assessed to evaluate flow exchanges between
the systems. Along the upper Peace River, a progressive decline in discharge has occurred since
the 1940's. This decline has resulted from a lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Upper
Floridan Aquifer by as much as 60 ft, from intensive ground-water withdrawals for phosphate-
mining and agriculture. One of the effects of lowered potentometric surfaces has been a
cessation of spring flow in the upper Peace River basin. The largest spring to stop flowing was
Kissengen Spring, which once flowed at an average rate of about 29 ft3/s (19 Mgal/d). Spring
flows to the Peace River were significant at one time and their cessation reflects a reversal in
ground-water gradients; where ground-water seepages once augmented streamflow, the river
now loses water to the underlying aquifers.
A continuous seismic-reflection survey was conducted along the length of the Peace River. This
survey identified several karst structures and features, typical of those identified on other areas of
Florida. The karst features vary in type and size and include sinkholes, dissolution pipes, and
enlarged fractures. These features have the potential to provide direct preferential paths of
hydraulic connection between the river and the underlying aquifer systems.
Low and high base-flow seepage runs were conducted along a 74-mi length of the Peace River
between Bartow and Nocatee to identify gaining and losing reaches. Maximum losses along the
upper 3.2 mi of the river channel were 17.3 ft3/s (11.2 Mgal/d). These losses are attributed to the
existence of numerous sinkholes, identified both on seismic-reflection surveys and field
reconnaissance, and to a prevailing downward head gradient between the river and the
underlying aquifers. Seepage losses along the riverbed and floodplain were calculated along a
7.2 mi reach of the Peace River below Clear Springs. These losses were approximately 10
percent, or 118 ft3/s (76.3 Mgal/d), of the total river flow during this measurement period.
Ground-water seepages further south, in areas of potential upward head gradient, increased river
discharge. The Peace River along Hardee and De Soto Counties gains water from ground-water
seepage contributions but flow measurements were generally within the range of discharge
measurement error (5 to 8 percent) and the contributions could not be determined with certainty.
McPherson, Benjamin F., Miller, Ronald L., and Stoker, Yvonne E., Physical, Chemical,
and Biological Characteristics of the Charlotte Harbor Basin and Estuarine System in
Southwestern Florida–A Summary of the 1982-89 U.S. Geological Survey Charlotte
Harbor Assessment and Other Studies, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2486
The Charlotte Harbor estuarine system, having a surface area of about 270 square miles,
averages about seven feet in depth and is connected to deep water of the Gulf of Mexico through
several passes and inlets between barrier islands. Three major rivers flow into the estuary - the
Peace, the Myakka, and the Caloosahatchee. Freshwater and tidal flushing transport nutrients and
other constituents from the basin through the estuary into the gulf. Flushing characteristics were
evaluated using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The model indicated that the time
required to flush injected dye (simulated) from some subareas of the harbor was longer for
reduced freshwater inflow than for typical freshwater inflow. After 30 days of simulation of

Chapter 2.0
reduced freshwater inflow, 42 percent of the dye injected into the upper harbor remained in the
upper harbor, compared to 28 percent for typical freshwater inflow.
The Charlotte Harbor estuary is usually well mixed or partially mixed in the vertical, but vertical
salinity stratification does occur, primarily during late summer when freshwater inflows are
greatest. A box model was developed that incorporated vertically averaged salinities to account
indirectly for three-dimensional transport processes associated with vertical stratification. The
box model predicts that under high (7,592 cubic feet per second) and average (2,470 cubic feet
per second) freshwater inflows from the Peace and Myakka Rivers, 50 percent of the original
water (present at the start of the model run) would be flushed from the northern part of the
estuarine system into the Gulf of Mexico in 10 days and 20 days, respectively.
The distribution of plant nutrients in the Charlotte Harbor Estuary is affected by nutrient inputs,
freshwater and tidal flushing, mixing, and recycling processes in the estuary. The distributions of
total phosphorus and orthophosphate are affected mainly by river input and physical mixing. The
distribution of ammonia nitrogen is variable and is related more to recycling within the estuary
than to input from the rivers. Ammonia concentrations increase in deeper water, probably in
response to vertical salinity stratification and low concentrations of dissolved oxygen that foster
regeneration of ammonia from bottom sediments. The distribution of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen
is nonconservative--concentrations are high in the rivers and decrease more rapidly in the estuary
than expected due to dilution with sea water, probably because of phytoplankton uptake.
Phytoplankton productivity and biomass are usually greatest during late summer near the mouths
of the tidal rivers when freshwater inflow and nutrient loading are greatest. The highly colored
freshwater runoff reduces light penetration and phytoplankton productivity in regions of the
estuary where salinity is less than about 10 parts per thousand, but the nutrient-rich, colored
water is diluted by seawater at midsalinities (10-20 parts per thousand) so that availability of
light increases and inorganic nitrogen concentrations are still high enough to stimulate
productivity and growth of phytoplankton. In much of the estuary, salinity is greater than 20
parts per thousand, and availability of inorganic nitrogen, not light, limits productivity and
growth.
Although the Charlotte Harbor estuarine system is relatively undisturbed, much of its basin has
been altered by human activities. Streamflow decreased substantially during 1931-84 in parts of
the Peace River, probably because of ground-water withdrawals in the basin. Nutrient
concentrations generally increased in the rivers during 1970-85, because of an increase in the
flow of wastewater and agricultural runoff. The concentrations of phosphorus are naturally high
in the Peace River because of extensive phosphate deposits in the basin. The phosphate deposits
also are relatively rich in radionuclides of the uranium-238 series, including radium-226. In the
upper basin, these deposits are exposed in the riverbed. Extensive phosphate mining and
processing have exposed additional deposits to surface runoff. Periodic spills of phosphate
sediments (slimes) have contributed additional phosphorus and radium-226 to the river and

Chapter 2.0
estuary. A single spill can contribute a phosphorus load equal to the annual loading in the Peace
River at Arcadia.
The projected increase in population in the basin by the year 2020 would generate an additional
60 million gallons per day of domestic wastewater over that generated during 1980, which would
increase nitrogen loading in the basin by more than three tons per day. Intensified agricultural
and industrial developments, particularly expanding citrus production and phosphate mining,
could generate additional loads of nutrients and a variety of inorganic and organic contaminants.
Increased inputs of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, could encourage growth and increase
abundance of phytoplankton and benthic and epiphytic algae. If water were less colored as a
result of reduced freshwater inflow, undesirable algal growth could be exacerbated because of
increased availability of light. Increased abundance of phytoplankton and other algae could
likely change dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the estuary, resulting in greater day-to-night
fluctuations and the possible depletion of dissolved oxygen in deep water. At the present time,
near-anaerobic conditions occur for days or weeks in the deep water (more than nine feet) of the
northern harbor during late summer. These conditions could become more persistent with time
and over wider areas, if phytoplankton and other algae increase in abundance and in their
contribution to benthic oxygen demand. An increased abundance of phytoplankton and other
algae also would reduce light penetration and adversely affect seagrasses.
Metz, P., Brendle, D., Potential for Water-Quality Degradation of Interconnected Aquifers
in West-Central Florida, USGS Water Resources Investigations Report 96-4030.
Thousands of deep artesian wells were drilled into the Upper Floridan Aquifer in west-central
Florida prior to well-drilling regulations adopted in the 1970's. The wells were usually
completed with a short length of casing through the unconsolidated sediments and were left open
to multiple aquifers containing water of varying quality. These open boreholes serve as a
potential source of water-quality degradation within the aquifers when vertical internal bore-hole
flow is induces by hydraulic-head differences. This potential for water-quality degradation
exists in west-central Florida where both the Intermediate Aquifer system and Upper Floridan
Aquifer exist.
Measurements of caliper, temperature, gamma, fluid conductivity, and flow were obtained in 87
wells throughout west-central Florida to determine the occurrence of interaquifer borehole flow
between the Intermediate Aquifer system and the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Flow measurements
were made using an impeller flowmeter, a heat-pulse flowmeter, and a video camera with an
impeller flowmeter attachment. Of the 87 wells measured with the impeller flowmeter, 17 had
internal flow that ranged from 10 to 300 gallons per minute. A heat-pulse flowmeter was used in
19 wells in which flow was not detected using the impeller flowmeter. Of these 19 wells, 18 had
internal flow that ranged from 0.3 to 10 gallons per minute. Additionally, water-quality samples
were collected from specific contributing zones in wells that had internal flow.

Chapter 2.0
Analyses of geophysical and water-quality data indicated degradation of water quality has
occurred from mineralized groundwater flowing upward from the Upper Floridan Aquifer into
the Intermediate Aquifer system through both uncased boreholes and corroded clack-iron well
casings. In areas where there is a downward component of flow, data indicate that potable water
from the Intermediate Aquifer system is artificially recharging the Upper Floridan Aquifer
through open boreholes.
A geographical area was defined where there is a potential for water-quality degradation due to
improperly cased wells. This area was delineated based on where there is an upward component
of ground-water flow and where there is an occurrence of poor-quality water. The delineated
area included parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, De Soto, and Hardee
Counties.
Prinos, S., Overton, K., and Byrne, M., 2002. Water Resources Data Florida Water Year
2001 Volume 2B. South Florida Ground Water Water-Data Report FL-01-2B
that document hydrologic data gathered from the U.S. Geological Survey's surface- and ground-
water data-collection networks in each State, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories. These
information needed by state, local, and federal agencies, and the private sector for developing
and managing our Nation's land and water resources.

Prinos, S., Overton, K., and Byrne, M., 2003. Water Resources Data Florida Water Year
2002 Volume 2B. South Florida Ground Water Water-Data Report FL-02-2B
that document hydrologic data gathered from the U.S. Geological Survey's surface- and ground-
water data-collection networks in each State, Puerto Rico, and the Trust Territories. These
information needed by state, local, and federal agencies, and the private sector for developing
and managing our Nation's land and water resources. Hydrologic data for Florida are contained
in four volumes.


Chapter 2.0
Post, Buckley, Schuh, and Jernigan, Inc. and W. Dexter Bender and Assoc., 1999.
Syntheses of Technical Information. Volume 1. Technical Report No. 99-02.
This document comprises the characterization element of the NEP process. This Synthesis of
Existing Information is a critical step in providing an analysis and characterization of
information in a form that will provide an appropriate foundation for the CCMP development
process. The information contained within this document, when combined with other elements
of the CHNEP process (e.g., Compendium of Monitoring Programs, Base Program Analysis and
Data Management Strategy), will provide the base information from which the CCMP will be
developed.
In compiling and analyzing the information contained within this Synthesis of Information
document, the focus has been to establish the existing background information necessary to
address the three Priority Problems that have been identified as having the greatest potential for
degrading the Charlotte Harbor system. These problems are:
1) Hydrologic Alterations - adverse changes to amounts, locations, and timing of

freshwater flows, hydrologic function of floodplain systems, and natural river flows.
2) Water Quality Degradation - including but not limited to pollution from agricultural
and urban runoff, point source discharges, septic tank system loadings, atmospheric deposition,
and groundwater.
3) Fish and Wildlife Habitat Loss - degradation and elimination of headwater streams and
other habitats caused by development, conversion of natural shorelines, cumulative impacts of
docks and boats, invasion of exotic species, and cumulative and future impacts.
The CHNEP study area encompasses over 4,500 square miles along the southwest coast of
Florida (Figure 1-2), and covers eight distinct sub-area, or major basins, based on hydrologic,
ecologic, and management characteristics (State of Florida, 1995). These previously identified
basins include:
• Peace River,
• Myakka River,
• Coastal Vencie,
• Charlotte Harbor Proper,
• Lemon Bay/Gasparilla Sound/Cape Haze Complex,
• Pine Island Sound / Matlacha Pass,
• Tidal Caloosahatchee River, and
• Estero Bay.
Rawl, Greg F. and Voorhees, Michael., June 2005, Lee County Groundwater Resources
and Mining Study. Lee County Investigation Report CN-03-16, (Draft for Peer Review).
This study is intended to address the surficial and intermediate groundwater resources of Lee
County and also to address the rock mine resources. Analyses are provided regarding the
effectiveness of the existing land use designations in relation to water resources, whether any

Chapter 2.0
recognizable changes in resources have occurred (increase or decrease), and any notable issues
or trends with regard to groundwater aquifers meeting natural and/or human demands. The
review evaluated existing studies, water use permits, existing database information, utility plans
and past pumpage, lithologic well logs, county files, and other information as deemed necessary
and appropriate.
The report assesses the groundwater and mining resources through a process of data collection
and technical analysis. The study utilized the existing database model (VIEWLOG) and
incorporated additional data into the model analyses. Additionally, surface water flow-ways for
all of Lee County have been mapped to aid in the review of sensitive environmental areas.
Utilizing the VIEWLOG database and water level database, a MODFLOW groundwater flow
model was created and calibrated, which enables the evaluation of existing and future
hypothetical flow scenarios. Significant among the conclusions reached from the model analyses
were (a) regional net recharge within the county is most significant in the southeastern portion of
the county; (b) the net effect (reduction) of recharge due to mining activities are no more
significant than the recharge impacts from lakes, wetlands and other surface water bodies; (c)
major declines in water levels in the sandstone and mid-Hawthorn aquifers have occurred in the
past 10-15 years; (d) surface water drainage structures have significantly impacted groundwater
levels in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and areas where the Caloosahatchee River has been
channelized. With respect to mining resources, both positive and negative effects related to
mining were discussed. Positive effects of mining include economic benefits and increased
storage capacity for surface water, while negative effects include potential water quality issues
from recharge to potable aquifers and increased ET rates during dry seasons.
Sacks, L. and Tihansky, A., 1996. Geochemical and Isotopic Composition of Ground
Water, with Emphasis on Sources of Sulphate, in the Upper Floridan Aquifer and
Intermediate Aquifer System in southwest Florida. USGS Water Resources Investigations
Report 96-4146.
In southwest Florida, sulfate concentrations in water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer and
overlying Intermediate Aquifer system are commonly above 250 milligrams per liter (the
drinking water standard), particularly in coastal areas. Possible sources of sulfate include
dissolution of gypsum from the deeper part of the Upper Floridan Aquifer or the middle
confining unit, saltwater in the aquifer, and saline waters from the middle confining unit and
Lower Floridan Aquifer. The sources of sulfate and geochemical processes controlling ground-
water composition were evaluated for the Peace and Myakka River Basins and adjacent coastal
areas of southwest Florida. Samples were collected from 63 wells and a saline spring, including
wells finished at different depth intervals of the Upper Floridan Aquifer and Intermediate
Aquifer system of about 25 locations. Sampling focused along three ground-water flow paths
(selected based on a predevelopment potentiometric-surface map). Groundwater was analyzed
for major ions, selected trace constituents, dissolved organic carbon, and stable isotopes (delta
deuterium, oxygen-18, carbon-13 of inorganic carbon, and sulfer-34 of sulfate and sulfide); the
ratio of strontium-87 to strontium-86 was analyzed for waters along one of the flow paths.
Chapter 2.0
Chemical and isotopic data indicate that dedolomitizations reactions (gypsum and dolomite
dissolution and calcite precipitation) control the chemical composition of water in the Upper
Floridan Aquifer in inland areas. This is confirmed by mass-balance modeling between wells in
the shallowest interval in the aquifer along the flow paths. However, gypsum occurs deeper in
the aquifer than these wells. Upwelling of sulfate-rich water that previously dissolved gypsum in
deeper parts of the aquifer is a more likely source of sulfate than gypsum dissolution in shallow
parts of the aquifer; deep groundwater moves to shallower zones in the aquifer discharge area.
Sacks, L., Swancar, A. and Lee. T., 1998. Estimating Ground-Water Exchange with Lakes
Using Water-Budget and Chemical Mass-Balance Approaches for Ten Lakes in Ridge
Areas of Polk and Highlands Counties, Florida.
Water budget and chemical mass-balance approaches were used to estimate ground-water
exchange with 10 lakes in ridge areas of Polk and Highlands Counties, Florida. At each lake,
heads were monitored in the Surficial Aquifer system and deeper Upper Floridan Aquifer, lake
stage and rainfall were measured continuously, and lakes and wells were sampled three times
between October 1995 and December 1996.
The water-budget approach computes net ground-water flow (ground-water inflow minus
outflow) as the residual of the monthly water-budget equation. Net ground-water flow varied
seasonally at each of the 10 lakes, and was notably different between lakes, illustrating short-
term differences in ground-water fluxes. Monthly patterns in net ground-water flow were related
to monthly patterns of other hydrologic variables such as rainfall, ground-water flow patterns,
and head differences between the lake and Upper Floridan Aquifer.
The chemical mass-balance approach combines the water budget and solute or isotope mass-
balance equations, and assumes steady-state conditions. Naturally occurring tracers that were
analyzed for include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and bromide, the
isotopes deuterium and oxygen-18. Chloride and sodium were the most successful solute tracers;
however, their concentrations in groundwater typically varied spatially, and in places were
similar to that in lake water, limiting their sensitivity as tracers. In contrast, the isotopes were
more robust tracers because the isotopic composition of groundwater was relatively uniform and
was distinctly different from the lake water. Ground-water inflow computed using the chemical
mass-balance method varied significantly between lakes, and ranged from less that 10 to more
than 150 inches per year. Both water-budget and chemical mass-balance approaches had
limitations, but the multiple lines of evidence gained using both approaches improved the
understanding of the role of groundwater in the water budget of the lakes.
Scott, T., 1988. The Lithostratigraphy of the Hawthorn Group (Miocene) of Florida.
Florida Geologic Survey.
The Hawthorn Formation has been a problematic unit for geologists since its inception by Dall
and Harris (1892). It is a complex unit consisting of interbedded and intermixed carbonate and
siliciclatic sediments containing varying percentages of phosphate grains. These sediments have
Chapter 2.0
been widely studied by geologists due to their economic and hydrologic importance in the
southeastern United States. Economically, the Hawthorn sediments contain vast quantities of
phosphate and clay and limited amounts of uranium. Hydrologically, the Hawthorn contains
secondary artesian aquifers, provides an aquiclude for the Floridan Aquifer system, and, in some
areas, makes up the upper portion of the Floridan Aquifer system.
The Hawthorn Formation of previous investigators has been raised to group status in Georgia by
Huddlestun (in press). The present investigation extends the formations recognized in southern
Georgia into northern Florida with some modifications, and accepts Huddlestun's concept of the
Hawthorn Group. The Hawthorn Group and its component formations in southern Florida
represent a new lithostratigraphic nomenclature applied to these sediments. The elevation of the
Hawthorn to group status in Florida is justified by the Hawthorn's complex nature and the
presence of a really extensive, mappable lithologic units.
In southern Florida, the group includes two formations, in ascending order, the Arcadia
Formation and the Peace River Formation. The Tampa Formation or Limestone of former usage
is included as a lower member of the Arcadia Formation due to the Tampa's limited areal extent,
lithologic similarities, and lateral relationship with the undifferentiated Arcadia. Similarly, the
Bone Valley Formation of former usage is incorporated as a member in the Peace River
Formation.
Lithologically, the Arcadia Formation is composed of carbonate with varying amounts of

included and interbedded silicoclastics. Siliciclatic sediments in the Arcadia are most prevalent
in its basal Nocatee Member. The Peace River Formation is predominantly a siliciclastic unit
with some interbedded carbonates. Phosphorite gravel is most common in the Bone Valley
Member. Sand-sized phosphate grains are virtually ubiquitous in the southern Florida sediments
with the exception of the Tampa Member where it is often absent.
Sepulveda, Nicasio, 2002. Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in the Intermediate and

Floridan Aquifer Systems in Peninsular Florida.
A numerical model of the intermediate and Floridan Aquifer systems in peninsular Florida was
used to (1) test and refine the conceptual understanding of the regional ground-water flow
system; (2) develop a database to support subregional ground-water flow modeling; and (3)
evaluate effects of projected 2020 ground-water withdrawals on ground-water levels. The four-
layer model was based on the computer code MODFLOW-96, developed by the U.S. Geological
Survey. The top layer consists of specified-head cells simulating the surfcial aquifer system as a
source-link layer. The second layer simulates the Intermediate Aquifer system in southwest
Florida and the intermediate confining unit where it is present. The third and fourth layers
simulate the Upper and Lower Floridan Aquifers, respectively. Steady-state ground-water flow
conditions were approximated for time-averaged hydrologic conditions from August 1993
through July 1994 (1993-94). This period was selected based on data from Upper Floridan
Aquifer wells equipped with continuous water-level recorders. The grid used for the ground-

Chapter 2.0
water flow model was uniform and composed of square 5,000-foot cells, with 210 columns and
300 rows.
The active model area, which encompasses about 40,800 square miles in peninsular Florida,
includes areas of various physiographic regions classified according to natural features.
Hydrogeologic conditions vary among physiographic regions, requiring different approaches to
estimating hydraulic properties for different areas. The altitudes of water levels for the Surficial
Aquifer system and heads in the Upper Floridan Aquifer, for time-averaged 1993-94 conditions,
were computed by using multiple linear regression of measured water levels in each region.
Ground-water flow simulation was limited vertically to depths containing water with chloride
concentrations less than 5,000 milligrams per liter. Water-level altitudes in the Floridan Aquifer
system beneath which chloride concentrations exceed 5,000 milligrams per liter were estimated
from previously developed maps and analytical results of ground-water samples. Flow across
the interface represented by this chloride concentration was assumed to be negligible.
The ground-water flow model was calibrated using time-averaged data for 1993-94 at 1,624
control points, flow measurements or estimates at 156 springs in the study area, and base-flow
estimates of rivers in the unconfined areas of the Upper Floridan Aquifer obtained by using a
generalized hydrograph separation of recorded discharge data. Transmissivity of the
Intermediate Aquifer system, Upper Floridan Aquifer, and Lower Floridan Aquifer; leakance of
the upper and lower confining units of the Intermediate Aquifer system, the intermediate
confining unit, the middle confining unit, and the middle semiconfining unit; spring and riverbed
conductances; and net recharge rates to unconfined areas of the Upper Floridan Aquifer were
adjusted until a reasonable fit was obtained.
Root-mean-square residuals between computed and simulated heads in the Intermediate Aquifer
system, Upper Floridan Aquifer, and Lower Floridan Aquifer were 3.47, 3.41, and 2.89 feet,
respectively. The overall root-mean-square residual was 3.40 feet. Simulated spring flow was
96 percent of the total measured (or estimated) spring flow in the study area.
Simulations were made to project water-level declines from 1993-94 to 2020 conditions. The
calibrated flow model was used to simulate the potentiometric surfaces of the Intermediate
Aquifer system, Upper Floridan Aquifer, and lower Floridan Aquifer for 2020 using water-use
projections provided by the Water Supply Assessment plans of the State Water Management
Districts. Water-use projections for 2020 were based on estimated population growth and 1995
withdrawals. Heads in the Upper Floridan Aquifer under projected 2020 water-use stresses were
simulated for two scenarios: (1) assigning interpolated 1993-94 heads along the lateral
boundaries of the Upper Floridan Aquifer; and (2) assigning 1993-94 simulated flux rates across
the same boundaries.
Projected 2020 ground-water withdrawals for municipal, industrial, commercial, agricultural,

and self-supplied domestic uses was approximately 3,400 million gallons per day, an increase of
about 36 percent from 1993-94. The largest projected drawdown in the potentiometric surface of
Chapter 2.0
the Upper Floridan Aquifer, for both scenarios, was simulated in Orange County, with a
drawdown of 10 feet in the central part of the County. Projected drawdowns of six feet were
simulated in parts of Duval and Polk Counties.
SFWMD, 2000. Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan, Planning Document, Support
Document, Appendices.
The Lower West Coast (LWC) Planning Area is expected to experience substantial growth
between now and the year 2020. Population is expected to increase by almost 70 percent from
1995 levels to about one million people, with expansion occurring mostly in the coastal areas.
This growth will create additional water demands for potable and irrigation water. Likewise,
agriculture - primarily citrus and sugarcane located in the eastern portion of the region - is
projected to increase by ten percent to approximately 260,000 acres. In addition, there are
numerous coastal and inland environmental resources within this region. This region receives
approximately 52 inches of rainfall per year on average. Meeting water demands while
addressing the water needs of the environment makes development of proactive water supply
strategies imperative to the economic and environmental sustainability of the area. The District
will be responsible for water resource development to facilitate development of source options at
the local level; while, local governments, water users, and water utilities will responsible for
water supply development.
This planning document is the product of a public process that relied heavily on an advisory
committee of diverse membership representing agricultural, urban, and environmental interests.
The planning effort provided a forum to weigh projected water demands against available
supplies.
Seven water source options were identified to address the water supply needs of the LWC
Planning Area. These options either make additional water available from historically used
sources or other sources, or provide additional management through conservation and storage of
the options. The options are (no implied priority):
• Conservation • Seawater
Groundwater • Storage
Surficial Aquifer System Aquifer storage and recovery
Intermediate Aquifer System Regional and local retention
Floridan Aquifer System Reservoirs
• Reclaimed Water • Surface Water
• Regional Irrigation System
Overall, from a regional perspective, it was concluded that with appropriate management and
diversification of water supply sources, there is sufficient water to meet the needs of this region
during a 1-in-10 drought condition through 2020. Implementation of the LWC Water Supply
Plan, in conjunction with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program, the
Caloosahatchee Water Management Plan, and the Southwest Florida Study, should avert

Chapter 2.0
potential problems. Even though the volume of water available from the Gulf of Mexico
(seawater) appears to be unlimited and could meet the needs of this region through the year
2020, it was concluded that it is not cost effective at this time. This assessment concluded that
the traditional source of water for urban water needs, the surficial and Intermediate Aquifer
systems, has limited potential for expansion due to potential impacts on wetland systems, and
increased potential for saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The Floridan Aquifer, a saline water
source found at depths greater than 600 feet below the land surface in the LWC Planning Area,
appears to be a promising source for additional potable water needs. Current knowledge of the
Floridan Aquifer indicates it has sufficient supplies to meet both existing and future potable
water demands. Many urban utilities have already begun transitioning to the Floridan Aquifer
through desalination, which removes salt from saline water. Little is known about long-term
water quality impacts of sustained withdrawals from this aquifer making the development of a
regional Floridan Aquifer groundwater model and water quality and water level monitoring of
the Floridan Aquifer a research priority in this region.
From a regional perspective, the use of fresh groundwater sources, reclaimed water, surface
water, and storage, through development of a regional or subregional irrigation water distribution
system(s), will be sufficient to meet the urban irrigation demands. Water from the surficial and
Intermediate Aquifer systems and reclaimed water have been used historically to meet these
demands. However, these sources will not be sufficient to meet the projected urban irrigation
demands such that additional supplemental sources and storage will have to be developed. The
concept of a regional irrigation water distribution system was identified as a means to meet these
demands using groundwater, reclaimed water, and surface water. This system would make
irrigation water available for local supply entities/utilities to withdraw from for distribution. The
recommended feasibility analysis will determine the design and magnitude of the irrigation water
system. Potential configurations were discussed including one large regional system,
subregional systems, or on a utility by utility basis. Storage will be a key component of this
system, primarily through aquifer storage and recovery, to store excess surface water and
reclaimed water for later use.
In the southeastern portion of the LWC Planning Area, it was concluded that existing Surficial
Aquifer and Intermediate Aquifer system groundwater sources are sufficient to meet the 2020
projected agricultural demands. Some modifications to wellfield configurations and well
operation regimes will need to be done at the project level to avoid potential impacts to natural
systems and other existing legal users.
The Caloosahatchee Water Management Plan (CWMP), a separate but complementary District
planning effort to the LWC Water Supply Plan, evaluated water supply in the northeastern
portion of the region in the Caloosahatchee River Basin. The CWMP determined the projected
surface water needs of the Caloosahatchee River Basin and Estuary can be met based on
recommended developments of water management and storage infrastructure that effectively
captures and stores surface water flows in the Basin. The CWMP concluded that existing surface
water supplies from the Caloosahatchee River (C-43) are inadequate to meet existing as well as
Chapter 2.0
future demands, including the needs of the environment. The C-43 is heavily relied on for
agricultural water supply and to a much lesser extent, potable water supply. Surface water
availability is essentially a function of climate and storage; there are excess amounts during the
wet summer months, and at times, insufficient supplies during the dry winter months. This
problem of timing is particularly illustrated by the impacts of freshwater discharges to the
Caloosahatchee Estuary. Excessive discharges decrease the salinity of the estuary, which
contributes to the loss of estuarine productivity. Insufficient freshwater discharges increase the
salinity to essentially saltwater impacting freshwater grasses. A minimum flow and level is
being established for the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary.
Improved management of surface water through storage could increase fresh water availability in
the region and reduce potential impacts resulting from water use. Aquifer Storage and Recovery
(ASR) technology shows promise both for treated and untreated water by providing a storage
option during periods of water availability. This technology is currently being used by several
utilities at the local level. In addition to continued use and development at the local level,
application of ASR on a regional scale has been identified as a potential storage option to capture
excess surface water in the Caloosahatchee River Basin, and potentially elsewhere in the region.
Regional and local retention projects will reduce excess water discharged to estuarine systems
and increase water availability inland by increasing water levels in canals and providing
additional groundwater recharge.
Strong emphasis should be placed on water conservation through implementation of a

comprehensive water conservation plan that promotes cultivation of a conservation ethic. This
ethic would be realized through proactive, cooperative efforts between water users, utilities, local
governments, and the District. The conservation plan will incorporate many initiatives,
including continued development and compliance with water conservation ordinances,
development and implementation of public education programs, use of alternative water sources,
continued emphasis on water conservation in the District's surface water and consumptive use
permitting programs, and other means.
Local governments and users will play a key role in making these strategies a success through
adoption of conservation ordinances, homeowner awareness programs, land use decisions, and
development of water source options by local utilities and water users. Based on the analysis, it
appears most of the water supply issues in the LWC Planning Area can be addressed at the local
level with appropriate diversification and management. Exceptions would be addressing the
needs of the estuaries and surface water availability in the Caloosahatchee Basin, and meeting
the urban irrigation demands. It is likely that ongoing studies will result in future water resource
development capital projects.
Other planning efforts are currently underway and are continuing to address some specific goals
of this plan, including the Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply Plan, the Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan, and the Southwest Florida Study. The proposed Southwest Florida
Study will evaluate the entire LWC Planning Area for flood control, water supply, environmental

Chapter 2.0
impacts, wildlife habitat including the needs of the estuaries, water quality, uplands, and others.
The strategies outlined in this plan, in partnership with other efforts, should ensure that water in
this region is prudently managed and available to meet the anticipated demands of the region.
This plan will be reviewed and updated every five years to ensure that the water needs of this
region can be met.
SFWMD, 2000. Technical Documentation to Support Development of Minimum Flows and

Levels for the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. South Florida Water Management
District.
The SFWMD has created in the Caloosahatchee River basin an extensive network of canals that
recharge the water table during the dry season and drain floodwaters during the wet season.
Agriculture irrigation is the most important water use east of the S-79 Franklin Locks and Dam,
and agricultural demands from surface water sources within the basin were estimated to be about
230,000 acre-feet per year (200 MGD) in 1995 and were expected to increase to 320,000 acre-
feet (285 MGD) by 2020. Public water supply needs from surface water sources within the basin
were estimated to be about 13,000 acre-feet per year (12 MGD) in 1995 and were expected to
increase to 18,000 acre-feet (16 MGD) by 2020. The Caloosahatchee River receives water from
Lake Okeechobee for flood control and water supply, and regulatory discharges from the lake to
lower lake-stage for flood protection is 37% of total surface water discharge from Lake
Okeechobee. Water is also released to flush algal blooms and lower chloride levels near the
water supply intake structures during dry years.
SWFWMD, 1988. Ground-Water Resource Availability Inventory: Charlotte County, De

Soto County, Sarasota County, Manatee County, Polk County, Hardee County, Florida. (6
reports).
This report is divided into three sections. Section one includes an introduction, purpose and
scope, and inventory of previous investigations. Section two is a physical and hydrologic
discussion of the Southern West-Central Florida Ground-Water Basin (SWCFGWB), including
recharge and discharge areas, minimum flows and level criteria, areas deemed prone to
contamination or overdraft, locations of potential point and non-point sources of contamination,
areas suitable for water resource development, and major water resource activities in the
SWCFGWB. Section three is a physical, demographic, and hydrologic assessment of Charlotte
County and includes recharge and discharge areas, areas susceptible to ground-water
contamination, water supply sources and alternatives, and a generalized discussion of the
implications for county planning efforts. Additionally, a glossary is included as Appendix A, a
summary of related Florida legislation as Appendix B, data on lakes in the SWCFGWB at which
the SWFWMD has established management levels as Appendix C, a listing and location of the
SWFWMD's Hydrologic Data Base (HDB) sites in Charlotte County as Appendix D, a
description and location map of the SWFWMD's Ambient Ground-Water Quality Monitoring
Program (AGWQMP) sites in Charlotte County as Appendix E, a location map of the
SWFWMD's Agricultural Irrigation Monitoring sites in the AWCFGWB as Appendix F,

Chapter 2.0
Charlotte County DRASTIC indices as Appendix G, and point source waste site information for
Charlotte County as Appendix H.
SWFWMD, 1993. Eastern Tampa Bay Water Resource Assessment Project.
This report is divided into six chapters. Chapter 2 describes the physical framework of the
Eastern Tampa Bay WUCA and surrounding area. This chapter includes descriptions of the
surface and ground-water systems, climate, 1990 water use, land use, and physiography. Chapter
3 describes and analyzes trends in rainfall, water use, ground-water levels, ground-water quality,
and surface-water flows. The cause-and-effect relationships between water quality declines,
withdrawals, water level declines, rainfall, surface-water flows, and impacts outside the area are
examined in Chapter 4. Construction of ground-water flow and solute transport models is
described in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 lists the conclusions and recommendations.
SWFWMD, 2000. District Water Management Plan 2000 Annual Report
The July 2000 District Water Management Plan (the Plan) represents the first five-year update of
the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s “comprehensive plan.” This twenty-year
Plan is consistent with the requirements of Section 373.036, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and Section
62-40.510, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), as well as the standard format devised by the
five water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
and the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG).
The primary purpose of the Plan is to serve as a comprehensive guide to the District in carrying
out its water resource management responsibilities, including those for Water Supply, Flood
Protection, Water Quality and Natural Systems. Just as importantly, its preparation and updating
represents a significant interactive process with the District’s Governing and Basin boards,
standing advisory committees, various interest groups and the public.
SWFWMD, 2001. Regional Water Supply Plan.
This Regional Water Supply Plan (RWSP) is an assessment of projected water demands and
potential sources of water to meet these demands for the period from 1995 (the established base
year) to 2020. The RWSP is developed for a ten-county area that extends from Pasco County in
the north to Charlotte County in the south. The purpose for preparing the RWSP is to provide the
framework for future water management decisions in areas of the Southwest Florida Water
Management District (SWFWMD or District) where the hydrologic system is stressed due to
ground-water withdrawals. The RWSP shows that sufficient, reasonably obtainable water
sources (including demand management) exist in the planning region to meet future demands
and replace some of the current withdrawals causing hydrologic stress. Because sources within
the planning region are sufficient from a technical and economic perspective to meet these
demands, sources outside the planning region have not been investigated. The RWSP also
identifies potential options and associated costs for developing these sources. Options identified
in this report are not intended to represent the District’s most “preferable” options for water
Chapter 2.0
supply development. They are, however, provided as reasonable concepts that water users in the
region can pursue in their water supply planning. Water users can select a water supply option as
presented in the plan or combine elements of different options that better suit their water supply
needs. Additionally, the plan provides information to assist water users in developing funding
strategies to construct water supply development projects.
SWFWMD, 2002. District Water Management Plan 2001 Annual Report
The Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD or District)
approved the District Water Management Plan (DWMP) in August 2000 (SFWMD, 2000a). The
DWMP incorporated a comprehensive examination of resource management in the 16-county
South Florida region. The policies, programs, and activities of the SFWMD described in the
DWMP reflect the multifunctional nature of water resource management in the region. The
interrelated nature of areas of responsibility was considered in the development of the DWMP,
and the impacts of activities identified under one area of responsibility on the other areas of
responsibility continue to be considered in the implementation of the plan.
The DWMP was developed consistent with the requirements of Section 373.036, Florida Statutes
(F.S.) and Section 62-40.520, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) in conjunction with the five water management districts
developed additional criteria for the DWMP.
The DWMP is intended to provide comprehensive long-range guidance for the actions of the
SFWMD in implementing its responsibilities under state and federal laws. The DWMP must be
updated at least once every five years and the SFWMD has committed to the development of the
next comprehensive DWMP update in 2004 (unless that date is modified by the FDEP). Given
the long-range nature of the DWMP, it is important to periodically evaluate the progress of the
SFWMD toward accomplishing the goals established in the plan. The necessity for the regular
review and evaluation of progress in achieving planning goals is explicitly recognized in the
State Water Resource Implementation Rule, which requires regular review of the DWMP
(Chapter 62-40.520, F.A.C). The water management districts are required to report to the FDEP
on their progress in implementing their plans annually. The DWMP annual reports are intended
to serve as status reports on the activities undertaken by the SFWMD, as well as on the
performance measures contained within the DWMP, between updates of the plan.
In an effort to facilitate comparison of the plans of each of the water management districts, the
DWMP was organized to reflect the four areas of responsibility of the water management
districts –water supply, flood protection and floodplain management, water quality, and natural
systems. This common format is also used for the DWMP annual reports to help track the
progress each district has made in implementing its respective district water management plans.
This annual report covers progress made by the SFWMD during Fiscal Year (FY) 2001. This
fiscal year began on October 1, 2000 and ended on September 31, 2001.

Chapter 2.0
SWFWMD, 2002. Saltwater Intrusion and the Minimum Aquifer Level in the Southern
Water Use Caution Area.
Chapter 373 Florida Statutes required the water management districts to annually update and
submit a schedule for establishing minimum flows and levels (MFLs) on priority water bodies.
In the SWFWMD it has been determined that saltwater intrusion in the Upper Floridan Aquifer
of occurring in coastal areas of the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCAl SWFWMD,
1993). This is in response to reductions in coastal ground-water discharge caused by historical
increases in ground-water withdrawals (SWFWMD, 1993l DOAH). The Governing Board of the
SWFMWD has determined that saltwater intrusion is of regional significance and that the Upper
Floridan Aquifer in the SWUCA is a MFLs priority water body. They further concluded that a
minimum aquifer level should be established to achieve the management goal of slowing the rate
of movement of the freshwater/saltwater interface.
SWFWMD, 2003. 2001 Estimated Water Use in the Southwest Florida Water Management
District.
Estimated Water Use is produced annually to summarize and analyze freshwater use in the
Southwest Florida Water Management District (District). The report is used as a data source for
a variety of water supply planning and management purposes.
Freshwater use during calendar year 2001 is examined in this edition of Estimated Water Use. In
addition to reporting total water use, six specific water use categories are individually analyzed:
Public Supply, Domestic Self-Supply, Recreational/Aesthetic, Agricultural, Mining/Dewatering,
and Industrial/Commercial.
The Public Supply category includes public water systems and privately held water utilities
required by permit to report pumpage to the District. Water utilities that are too small to be
required to report pumpage also are included. The Domestic Self-Supply category assesses the
estimated freshwater consumption from non-permitted individual wells. Recreational/Aesthetic
use includes water used for self-supplied large-scale landscapes, parks, and golf courses. /the
Agricultural use category provides estimated water use by crop type. Mining/Dewatering
examines the self-supplied water use of mining operations, itemized by the type of material
being extracted. The Industrial/Commercial category disaggregates water use data by industry
type, including power generation, for those businesses and institutions that are self-supplied.
The primary sources of data for this report are unpublished water use permit (WUP) records,
especially pumpage reports which specific permittees are required to submit on a regular basis.
Additional data sources include, but are not limited to, an annual survey of Public Supply
permittees, the District's Water Supply Needs and Sources: 1990-2020 report, population studies
from the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, and unpublished
agricultural water use data developed by the District's Conservation Projects Section.

Chapter 2.0
In 2001, an average of approximately 1.3 billion gallons of freshwater was withdrawn each day
within the District. Approximately 86 percent of this amount was supplied from ground-water
sources. Agricultural water users constituted the largest single category or sector, withdrawing
an average of 581 million gallons each day (mgd) or 43 percent of total freshwater use. Public
Supply water users, including Domestic Self-Supply, were second with 566 mgd or 42 percent.
Mining/Dewatering withdrew 70 mdg or five percent; Recreational/Aesthetic, 61 mgd or five
percent; and Industrial/Commercial, 68 mgd or five percent.
Polk County had the largest Agricultural, Mining/Dewatering, Industrial/Commercial and

Domestic Self-Supply water use in the District, averaging 126, 29, 38 and 10 million gallons per
day, respectively. Overall, Polk County had the largest total water use of the sixteen counties
during 2001. An average of 280 million gallons was used each day in Polk County, or
approximately 21 percent of the District's total.
As of 2001, 94 percent of all non-agricultural permitted water use was metered and reported to
the District. Conversely, only 55 percent (317 mgd) of Agricultural water use was reported,
leaving 44 percent to be estimated by the District. The percentage of Agricultural permits
required to meter and report pumpage generally will continue to increase. Overall, 76 percent
(980 mdg) of all water use in the District is metered and reported, while 24 percent (310 mdg) is
estimated. Domestic Self-Supply water use, which is not permitted by the District and
completely estimated, is not included in the above calculation.
SWFWMD, 2003. Hydrologic Conditions for the month of November 2003.
The Hydrologic Conditions Report is generated monthly by the Hydrologic Data Section,
Operations Department, of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This report
provides and end-of-month analytical summary of regional and temporal variations in the
hydrologic conditions across the District's 16-county area for planning and regulatory purposes.
In addition, it provides an excellent historical record for long-term local and regional hydrologic
analysis.
The Hydrologic Data Section is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of a
network of observation and monitoring stations used to track changes in various hydrologic
parameters over time. Data collected are used by the regulatory, technical, and analytical
sections of the District. Data recently collected and maintained by the section include: station
and basin rainfall totals, stream and spring discharge measurements, and surface and
groundwater levels. Frequency of data collection ranges from hourly to monthly readings. All
data collected are processed and analyzed, then uploaded into the Water Management Database
for general access by the District. The Water Management Database is also periodically
augmented from the United States Geological Survey's hydrologic data network.
The data presented in this report are monthly rainfall totals, streamflow, springflow, surface and
groundwater levels, reservoir levels and the Aquifer Resource Index. Associated maps of station
locations are at the end of the report in the Appendices. Also reported herein are levels of public
Chapter 2.0
supply surface water reservoirs supplemented by various regional utilities. Any questions about
the significance, accuracy, or interpretation of these data should be referred to Granville
Kinsman, Manager of the Hydroloigic Data Section at (352)796-7211 or (800)423-1476,
extension 4284.
The data evaluation, analyses and interpretation contained within this report have been prepared
or approved by a certified Professional Geologist in accordance with Chapter 492, Florida
Statutes.
SWFWMD, 2004. Revised Draft Southern Water Use Caution Area Recovery Strategy,
March 2004.
In response to growing demands for water from all uses, groundwater withdrawals within the
SWUCA increased for nearly a century before peaking in the mid-1970s. These withdrawals
resulted in declines in water levels throughout the basin, some of which exceeded 50 feet. Water
management efforts implemented in the 1970s and beyond have resulted in a stabilization of
groundwater withdrawals; however, salt water intrusion, reduced streamflows and lowered lake
levels, all attributed in some degree to groundwater pumping, remain significant issues in the
area.
In compliance with Florida Statutes, water management officials implemented planning

initiatives including quantification of water supply needs during drought events, development of
water supply options and alternatives, and prevention of impacts to natural resources. This
document outlines a 20-year plan for fulfillment of these objectives and promotion of recovery of
impacted natural systems.
Torres, A.E., Sacks, L.A., Yobbi, D.K., Knochenmus, L.A., Katz, B.G., 2001.
Hydrogeologic Framework and Geochemistry of the Intermediate Aquifer System in Parts
of Charlotte, De Soto, and Sarasota Counties, Florida. Water-Resources Investigations
Report 01-4015.
The hydrogeologic framework underlying the 600-square mile study area in Charlotte, De Soto
and Sarasota Counties, Florida, consists of the Surficial Aquifer system, the Intermediate Aquifer
system, and the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The hydrogeologic framework and the geochemical
processes controlling ground-water composition were evaluated for the study area. Particular
emphasis was given to the analysis of hydrogeologic and geochemical data for the Intermediate
Aquifer system. Flow regimes are not well understood in the Intermediate Aquifer system;
therefore, hydrogeologic and geochemical information were used to evaluate connections
between permeable zones within the Intermediate Aquifer system and between overlying and
underlying aquifer systems. Knowledge of these connections will ultimately help to protect
ground-water quality in the Intermediate Aquifer system. The hydrogeology was interpreted
from lithologic and geophysical logs, water levels, hydraulic properties, and water quality from
six separate well sites. Water-quality samples were collected from wells located along six
ground-water flow paths and finished at different depth intervals. The selection of flow paths
Chapter 2.0
was based on current potentiometric-surface maps. Ground-water samples were analyzed for
major ions; field parameters (temperature, pH, specific conductance, and alkalinity); stable
isotopes (deuterium, oxygen-18, and carbon-13); and radioactive isotopes (tritium and carbon-
14).
The Surficial Aquifer system is the upper-most aquifer, is unconfined, relatively thin, and
consists of unconsolidated sand, shell, and limestone. The Intermediate Aquifer system
underlies the Surficial Aquifer system and is composed of clastic sediments interbedded with
carbonate rocks. The Intermediate Aquifer system is divided into three permeable zones, the
Tamiami/Peace River zone (PZ1), the Upper Arcadia zone (PZ2), and the Lower Arcadia zone
(PZ3). The Tamiami/Peace River zone (PZ1) is the uppermost zone and is the thinnest and
generally, the least productive zone in the Intermediate Aquifer system. The Upper Arcadia zone
(PZ2) is the middle zone and productivity is generally higher than the overlying permeable zone.
The Lower Arcadia zone (PZ3) is the lowermost permeable zone and the most productive zone is
the Intermediate Aquifer system. The Intermediate Aquifer system is underlain by the Upper
Floridan Aquifer, which consists of a thick, stratified sequence of limestone and dolomite. The
Upper Floridan Aquifer is the most productive aquifer in the study area; however, its use is
generally restricted because of poor water quality. Interbedded clays and fine-grained clastic
separate the aquifer systems and permeable zones.
The hydraulic properties of the three aquifer systems are spatially variable. Estimated
transmissivity and horizontal hydraulic conductivity varies from 752 to 32,900 feet squared per
day and from 33 to 1,490 feet per day, respectively, for the Surficial Aquifer system; from 47 to
5,420 feet squared per day and from 2 to 102 feet per day, respectively, for the Tamiami/Peace
Rive zone (PZ1); from 258 to 24,633 feet squared per day and from 2 to 14 feet per day,
respectively, for the Upper Arcadia zone (PZ2); from 766 to 44,900 feet squared per day and
from 10 to 201 feet per day, respectively, for the Lower Arcadia zone (PZ3); and from 2,350 to
7,640 feet squared per day and from 10 to 41 feet per day, respectively, for the Upper Floridan
Aquifer. Confining units within the aquifer systems have leakance coefficients estimated to
range form 2.3x10-5 to 5.6x10-3 feet per day per foot. Strata composing the confining unit
separating the Upper Floridan Aquifer from the Intermediate Aquifer system are substantially
more permeable than confining units separating the permeable zones in the Intermediate Aquifer
system or separating the Surficial Aquifer and Intermediate Aquifer systems.
Trommer, J.T., 1993. Description and Monitoring of the Saltwater-Freshwater Transition

Zone in Aquifers along the West-Central Coast of Florida. Water-Resources Investigations
Report 93-4120.
A zone of brackish groundwater forms the transition zone between saltwater and freshwater in
the aquifer systems underlying the west-central coast of Florida. Continuing stress on and
declining heads in the freshwater aquifers have increased the potential for the landward
movement (intrusion) or vertical movement (upconing) of saltwater.

Chapter 2.0
Water in the transition zone in the northern part of west-central Florida reflects a simple mixing
of freshwater and seawater. Water in the transition zone in the southern part of the study area is
more mineralized than water in the northern part of the study area and probably reflects a longer
residence time in the aquifers, and incomplete flushing of residual seawater, and dissolution of
gypsum from deep evaporite beds. The zone extends inland about five miles from the coast in
the north and as far as the eastern boundary of the study area in the south.
Regression analyses of chloride data from groundwater in 24 coastal wells indicate rising
chloride concentrations since 1970 in water from 14 wells. Water from two wells had declining
chloride concentrations and water from eight wells remained unchanged since 1970.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1993, Engineering and Design Groundwater Hydrology,
Engineer Manual 1110-2-14213
This Engineer Manual provides guidance to Corps of Engineers (COE) personnel who are
responsible for groundwater-related projects. This manual was written with special attention to
groundwater-related applications prevalent within the COE. Thus, sections addressing site
investigation procedures and the performance of modeling studies are included. Additionally, a
chapter focusing on the interaction between surface water and groundwater is included.
Wharton, B., and Carter, L. 2002. Land Use Suitability Index for use in Hardee County
The land suitability index developed as part of this study provides a basic method of assessing
the capability of reclaimed lands to support sustainable future agricultural and urban
development. It is based on the USDA's land capability classification system and represents a
technically reasonable use of a well-known, widely accepted, readily available, countywide land
suitability database. As new information on a soil's physical properties, or new farming
techniques, improved management systems, or other social or technological innovations are
developed and implemented, the LCC ratings may well be reclassified. The results of this study
indicate that future land use patterns, in particular the ability to support various types of
commercial agriculture and urban development, may be substantially altered as a result of large-
scale phosphate mining in Hardee County
Walters, M., 1995. Radium in Coastal Sarasota County Ground Water, Ground Water
Monitoring and Remediation, Ground Water Publishing Company.
Sarasota County is one of 10 generalized areas of the continental United States known to have
high concentrations of naturally occurring radium in fresh groundwater (Chandler 1989).
Various authors have conducted investigations to examine the distribution of radium in
groundwater, rivers, and estuaries. They concluded that groundwater was the source of radium,
but rivers were also enriched with radium as a result of the interaction with groundwater. The
Gulf of Mexico also has areas with radium enrichment resulting from geothermal springs with
concentrations as high as 51 picocuries per liter. During 1986 and 1987, the Health and
Rehabilitative Services of the state of Florida collected groundwater data for radium analysis of
Chapter 2.0
private drinking water wells. These data were used to develop a contour map of radium-226
concentrations for coastal Sarasota County.
2.6 DATA UTILITY

Many of the listed reports reviewed in support of data collection efforts contained data available
to the project team in either hard copy form or as electronic files. Additionally, the Water
Management Districts, NWS, USGS, FDEP and many counties (Lee County, in particular)
maintain Internet sites that link to real-time data collected from automated gages located in
wells, streams and springs. However, the format and date-ranges of the data are not consistent
and, therefore, not useful for statistical analyses in raw form.
The project team compiled data for water levels in wells, rainfall amounts, evapotranspiration,
stage in streams, stream flow rates and water quality in wells and standardized the data in a
Microsoft Access database, included in the report on a CD presented as Appendix A. The
database as well as previously-compiled water quality and rainfall data from the report, Water
Quality Data Analysis and Report for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program was then
utilized by the project team in the statistical analyses. A detailed description of the processes
utilized in the statistical analyses is presented as Chapter 4, and a discussion of the results of the
analyses and their relevance is presented as Chapter 5.
GIS coverages were developed from available data for several attributes, including sub-basin
divides, water management district jurisdictional boundaries, hydrologic soil types and primary
land use. Base maps were developed using ArcView GIS software and the described coverages;
the locations of data points such as wells, springs, streamflow gages and rainfall gages were then
plotted and displayed on the base maps.

Chapter 3.0
HYDROGEOLOGY
In order to relate groundwater levels to physical features and processes, an understanding of the
regional hydrogeology and geomorphology, including sinkhole and spring formation, is
necessary.
The project area is located within three distinct physiographic provinces of the state with the
boundaries of those provinces generally corresponding with paleoshorelines. The northern
portion of the project area, including the headwaters of the Peace River, is located within the
Polk Upland province. The Peace River, as it flows southward toward Charlotte Harbor, passes
through the DeSoto Plain and the Gulf Coastal Lowlands, as described by White (1970). The
river has its’ origin in an upland, internally drained lake district that is also a regional aquifer
recharge area, and traverses through a poorly-drained upland onto a broad, gently-sloping coastal
plain that is a regional aquifer discharge area. Two other rivers, the Myakka and
Caloosahatchee, also traverse the study area. The Myakka River has its’ origins at Myakka
Head, an area of pine flatwoods just upstream of the confluence of seven tributary creeks that
forms Flatford Swamp. The entire 66-mile length of the Myakka is contained within the study
area, and the river, designated as an Outstanding Florida Water by the FDEP, discharges into the
northern end of Charlotte Harbor. The Caloosahatchee River begins at Lake Okeechobee and
travels through Glades, Hendry and Lee County for 70 miles prior to discharging in the eastern
end of San Carlos Bay south of Fort Myers. The river previously was a shallow, meandering
stream but has become a channel known as C-43, and several control structures are located
within the river channel along its’ length.
The project area is comprised of three main hydrogeological units: the unconfined Surficial
Aquifer, an intermediate zone comprised of a confining unit (where present) and water-bearing
unit, and the confined Floridan Aquifer system. The Surficial Aquifer System (SAS) is generally
composed of Holocene to Pliocene age undifferentiated siliciclastic sediments. The Intermediate
Aquifer System (IAS) comprises a confining unit composed of interbedded sandy and clayey
units of Miocene-age Hawthorn Group sediments (Peace River formation) and water-bearing
units of the Arcadia formation (Tampa member and Nocatee member). The Upper Floridan
Aquifer (UFA) system is generally composed of Eocene to Paleocene-age limestone and
dolomite formations comprising the Suwannee limestone and Ocala limestone. In the northern
portion of the study area, the IAS is thin and the water bearing units are virtually non-existent, so
that the IAS functions mainly as a confining unit separating the SAS and UFA. However, in the
down-dip (southward) direction, the Intermediate zone thickens greatly and consists of a zone of
marine-origin clays that confine the lower water bearing units and a thick zone of increased
porosity sediments that are a significant source of groundwater in the southern portion of the
study area. A generalized hydrostratigraphic column for the region is presented as Figure 3-1.
The locations of hydrogeologic cross sections across the Peace River basin are indicated on

Chapter 3.0
Figure A11, and the individual hydrogeologic cross-sections A-A’, B-B’ and C-C’ are presented
as Figure 3-2. Figure 3-3 is from the Draft Consolidated Water Supply Plan Support Documents
for the Lower West Coast District, prepared by the SFWMD in June 2004.

Chapter 3.0
FIGURE 3-1
GENERALIZED STRATIGRAPHY AND HYDROSTRATIGRAPHY OF STUDY AREA

Chapter 3.0
FIGURE 3-2
CROSS SECTIONS A-A’, B-B’ AND C-C’;
(LOCATIONS INDICATED ON FIGURE A11, FROM LEWELLING, 1998)

Chapter 3.0
FIGURE 3-3
GENERALIZED CROSS-SECTION OF THE LOWER WEST COAST DISTRICT,
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT;
(FROM DRAFT CONSOLIDATED WATER SUPPLY PLAN SUPPORT DOCUMENTS, VERSION 2.1,
SFWMD JUNE 2004)
3.1 HYDROLOGICAL SOIL CLASSIFICATIONS

Hydrologic soil groups are used to estimate runoff from precipitation. Soils not protected by
vegetation are assigned to one of four groups. They are grouped according to the infiltration of
water when the soils are thoroughly wet and receive precipitation from long-duration storms.
The four hydrologic soil groups are:
Group A. Soils having a high infiltration rate (low runoff potential) when thoroughly wet. These
consist mainly of deep, well drained to excessively drained sands or gravelly sands. These soils
have a high rate of water transmission.
Group B. Soils having a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of
moderately deep or deep, moderately well drained or well drained soils that have moderately fine
texture to moderately coarse texture. These soils have a moderate rate of water transmission.
Group C. Soils having a slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wet. These consist chiefly of
soils having a layer that impedes the downward movement of water or soils of moderately fine
texture or fine texture. These soils have a slow rate of water transmission.

Chapter 3.0
Group D. Soils having a very slow infiltration rate (high runoff potential) when thoroughly wet.
These consist chiefly of clays that have a high shrink-swell potential, soils that have a permanent
high water table, and soils that have a clay hardpan or clay layer at or near the surface, and soils
that are shallow over nearly impervious material. These soils have a very slow rate of water
transmission.
Figure A12 presents the hydrologic soil classification distribution across the study area.
Generally, the following trends can be noted:
• Soils across the Myakka River basin, Coastal Venice basin, Lemon Bay basin, Charlotte
Harbor basin, Tidal Caloosahatchee basin, and the lower one-half of the Peace River
basin are dominated by soil group B/D. The infiltration rate of soils within these areas,
are influenced by a permanent high water table that occurs during periods of high
rainfall. They are assigned a dual rating of B/D if drainage for agricultural purposes is
practical. Such soils are found throughout Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties.
• Areas of high recharge to the Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers (Polk and Highlands
Counties within study area) are dominated by soil groups A and B, which are
characterized by high infiltration rates and lower clay percentage.
• Mapped areas of wetlands, included on Figure A13, generally coincide with the areas
dominated by soil group B/D. Group D soils are very poorly drained and are usually in
depressional or tidal areas. If affected by regional drainage, these areas are subject to
wetland development or enhancement.
The land use classifications within the study area in 1995 are presented on Figure A14 and
wetlands areas of identified on Figure A13.
3.2 SINKHOLES
Karst terrain is typically formed due to a well-developed underground drainage system that
percolates surface water into limestone and dolomite formations via fractures. The surface water,
as it percolates into the underlying soil and rock zone, mixes with carbon dioxide to form a weak
carbonic acid that reacts readily with carbonate rock as it moves downward. The subsequent
solutional activity enlarges the openings into well-developed cavities that can form sinkholes.
Karst terrain features include numerous sinkholes, disappearing streams, round lakes, and
springs.
Many physical attributes influence sinkhole development. One of the principal attributes is the
thickness of the overburden above the dissolving limestone rock that contains characteristic
features such as solution conduits, cavities, and fissures. The lithology of the overburden is also
important in terms of geotechnical and hydraulic properties. Generally, a thick layer of clay that
overlies the limestone will preclude any sinkhole formation; however, a thin layer of more
permeable sediments such as silts and sands overlying limestone can result in the frequent
occurrence of sinkhole development. Groundwater withdrawals, as described above, may also

Chapter 3.0
increase the potential for sinkhole formation, especially collapse-type sinkholes due to loss of
hydrostatic pressure within the permeable sediments and carbonate rocks.
There are three major types of sinkholes that are common to Florida: (1) solution sinkholes, (2)
cover-collapse sinkholes, and (3) cover-subsidence sinkholes.
• Solutional Sinkholes occur in areas where limestone is exposed at the land surface or is
covered by thin layers of soil and permeable sand. This type of sinkhole forms as a bowl-
shaped depression with the slope of its side determined by the rate of subsidence relative to
the rate of erosion of the walls from surface runoff. Gentle rolling hills and shallow
depressions are typical in areas with this type of sinkhole formation.
• Cover-Collapse Sinkholes occur when a solutional cavity develops in carbonate rocks that
are overlain by less-permeable sediments and the cavity enlarges to the point where the
overburden can no longer be supported above the newly formed void space. The collapse of
the overburden material is generally abrupt and provides dramatic local changes in
topography. There are generally no tell-tale signs of this type of sinkhole formation until it
occurs. This type of sinkhole often forms in areas where limestone is near to the surface
(approximately 30 feet to 200 feet below land surface).
• Cover-Subsidence Sinkholes occur in areas where the overburden material consists of

relatively unconsolidated and permeable sands. As the underlying limestone is slowly being
dissolved by percolating waters, the sand begins to move downward to fill the voids left by
the dissolved limestone. Where the limestone is buried beneath a sufficient thickness of
unconsolidated material, the formation of the sinkhole may go unnoticed for years.
The distribution of sinkholes across the study area is presented on Figure A15. The majority of
sinkholes in the region are located within Polk County, near the headwaters of the Peace River
and an area of recharge to the aquifer systems. Very few sinkholes are located within the
southern three-fourths of the region, which is dominated by group D soils, a thicker intermediate
hydrogeologic zone (Intermediate Aquifer and/or Intermediate confining unit) and is, generally,
a discharge area for the aquifer systems.
Sinkholes in the coastal areas are predominately the solutional type, while sinkholes developed
in inland areas are typically collapse-type structures. In predevelopment times sinkholes only
occur as a natural process, and were usually triggered by heavy rains or a flood, which made the
soil over the cavity very heavy so that it collapsed. Droughts also lower groundwater levels,
reducing the buoyant support of a cavity roof and prompting collapses. In current development
times the natural processes continue but man-made groundwater withdrawals also reduce the
buoyancy and increase potential for sinkhole formation.

Chapter 3.0
3.3 SPRINGS
Springs are points on the surface where groundwater flows to the surface. The groundwater is
typically from the Floridan Aquifer under artesian conditions; that is, water will flow to the
surface if the hydraulic head differential is adequate, and that there is a point of weakness (e.g.
fault) for the water to flow with little resistance. Springs can also flow from the Floridan
Aquifer upward through sinkholes. Generally, the southern one-third of the study area is a
discharge area for the Floridan Aquifer and the northern one-third of the study area is a recharge
area for the Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers. There are currently existing two springs in the
study area, Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Springs, which are both located within the area
of aquifer discharge in close proximity to the coastline near the discharge point for the Myakka
River in Sarasota County. The locations of the two springs are indicated on Figure A15. Both
are classified as Third Magnitude springs, with average flows of 1-10 cfs (cubic feet per second).
Both springs are warm water springs, and water quality data collected by the USGS and other
agencies indicate that saline water from the deep Floridan Aquifer is discharged through both
springs. The flow from the springs is both tidally and seasonally-influenced.
At least four additional springs (Kissengen, Pinehurst, San Carlos and Caliente) existed at one
time within the study area, but either no longer function as springs or have been plugged.
Kissengen Spring is located in Polk County, adjacent to the west side of the Peace River
approximately four miles south of Bartow. According to the FGS, the spring ceased flowing
regularly in February 1950 but, prior to then, flowed into a pool with a maximum diameter of
200 feet and a maximum depth of 17.6 feet in December 1946. From the late-1890’s to the mid-
1930’s, the spring flow averaged 20 million gallons per day (MGD). Flow to the spring stopped
when the potentiometric surface of the Floridan Aquifer lowered to below the elevation of the
discharge point; it is theorized that this was due to pumping stresses in the area. For much of the
20th century, the Peace River was classified as a gaining stream throughout its entire length.
However, from the 1960’s on, the upper Peace River (portion of the river south of Bartow and
north of Zolfo Springs) has become a losing stream, since groundwater baseflow to the stream is
low to non-existent. Additionally, karst features in the riverbed and flood plain of the upper
portion of the river divert the flow to the underlying Floridan Aquifer.
Lower groundwater levels typically impact the baseflow component of the streamflow
hydrographs, either because less water is available to trickle into the streams from the aquifer for
baseflow, or more water is available because of irrigation return flows in agricultural areas.
When the potentiometric surface in the Floridan Aquifer reduces because of groundwater
withdrawals, spring flow may decrease or cease. In some instances, a spring from the Floridan
Aquifer may contribute water to a river when there is a positive head difference. However, if the
head difference becomes negative because of withdrawals, then the same spring may act as a
conduit for the river to lose water to the aquifer.
Pinehurst Spring is located on the east side of Little Sarasota Bay south of Siesta Key. The
spring had an annual flow of as high as 10 cfs and the discharge was bottled and sold as drinking
water. The spring was capped with a concrete slab in 1946, and the former spring flow

Chapter 3.0
reportedly seeped through sand located on a small bayou for a number of years following the
capping of the spring vent. No information was available concerning San Carlos or Caliente
Springs, and CHNEP personnel also had no information regarding these features. The FGS, in
their Bulletin 31 “Springs of Florida”, originally published in 1947, revised in 1977 and
superseded by Bulletin 66 “Springs of Florida” in 2004, discussed a number of “pseudosprings”
located in South Florida. These features had been identified erroneously by the public as springs
when they were found, in fact, to be artesian wells. Three of these pseudosprings were located
within the CHNEP study area, including Hot Springs (eight miles south of Punta Gorda,
Charlotte County), Shangri La Motel Resort (Bonita Springs, Lee County), and Warm Springs
Spa (10 miles south of Fort Myers, Lee County). The Hot Springs location had ceased operation
as of 1977, but the other two locations were reportedly still operational. The project team has no
information as to whether any of these pseudosprings are related to San Carlos Spring or
Caliente Spring.
The locations of identified sinkholes and springs within the CHNEP study area are indicated on
Figure A15.
3.4 HYDROSTRATIGRAPHY
3.4.1 SURFICIAL AQUIFER SYSTEM
The unconfined SAS is the uppermost water-bearing unit in the study area. The thickness of the
SAS is highly variable, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet or greater (thicknesses of up to 100 feet
have been reported in certain areas) in the high ridge areas of central peninsular Florida (the
northern extent of the study area). With increasing depth, the Surficial Aquifer system sediments
generally grade into less permeable clayey or silty sands that directly confine the Floridan
Aquifer system in areas where the Hawthorn Group is absent (Murray and Halford, 1996).
Movement of groundwater within the surficial sediments generally follows topography, moving
from a topographic high area to a topographic low area such as a stream or spring, and the water
table can generally be found from land surface to 10 feet below land surface.
Recharge to the Surficial Aquifer is mostly derived from precipitation, with minor amounts from
irrigation and upward seepage in areas where the confining unit is thin or breached. Discharge
sources of the Surficial Aquifer include seepage to lakes, streams, and ditches,
evapotranspiration, pumpage, and downward leakage to the Floridan Aquifer system. Generally,
few potable water supply wells are completed within the Surficial Aquifer due to its low yield
and poor water quality. Irrigation wells with small diameters (less than two inches) that do not
require permits are typically installed within the surficial sediments.

Chapter 3.0
3.4.2 INTERMEDIATE AQUIFER SYSTEM/INTERMEDIATE CONFINING UNIT
The intermediate confining unit separates the surficial and Floridan Aquifer systems, except in
areas where it has been eroded, which leaves the Surficial Aquifer system in direct connection
with the Floridan Aquifer system. The IAS generally is composed of the Hawthorn Group
sediments (Peace River formation and Arcadia formation), which are carbonate sediments with
varying percentages of clay and phosphatic sands and gravels. In the northern portion (Polk and
Highlands Counties) of the study area, the more permeable units of the Intermediate zone
(Arcadia formation, Tampa and Nocatee members) are very thin to non-existent, and the
Intermediate zone is dominated by clay-rich sediments that form the Intermediate confining unit.
As described previously, in areas where the Intermediate Aquifer is thin and during wet periods
when the potentiometric surface of the Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers may be above the
streambed elevation of the Peace River, water from the Intermediate zone can simultaneously
recharge the underlying Floridan Aquifer and discharge into the overlying river. As one moves
south through the study area, the IAS thickens considerably and the thickness of the permeable
units increases so that considerable storage occurs; thus, in the southern two-thirds of the region,
the Intermediate zone is referred to as the Intermediate Aquifer. In the southern portion of the
region where the thickness of the zone ranges to nearly 450 feet, considerable numbers of
potable wells are completed within the IAS.
3.4.3 FLORIDAN AQUIFER SYSTEM
The Floridan Aquifer system is a sequence of carbonate rocks ranging in age from Paleocene (65
million years ago) to early Miocene (20 million years ago) that are hydraulically connected and
located in parts of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and all of Florida. The Floridan Aquifer
system generally consists of an Upper Floridan Aquifer (UFA) and a Lower Floridan Aquifer
(LFA), separated by less-permeable anhydrite beds within the lower Avon Park Formation.
Within the study area, the upper Floridan Aquifer unit consists of the Ocala Limestone, and the
upper part of the Avon Park Formation (Johnston and Bush, 1988). The Upper Floridan Aquifer
can be unconfined, semi-confined or confined throughout the study area, although throughout the
majority of the study area the UFA is confined. Sinkholes are common in the unconfined and
semi-confined areas and provide hydraulic connection between the surface and the UFA.
Generally, when the upper confining unit is less than 100 feet thick, it can be locally breached by
sinkholes.
Recharge to the Floridan Aquifer occurs through sinkholes and solutional pipes that penetrate the
aquifer, downward leakage from the Surficial Aquifer, and drainage wells and land application
of reclaimed water. The headwaters of the Peace River, near Lakeland and Bartow, are located
within an area of recharge to the Floridan Aquifer that extends to the north beyond the study area
into the Green Swamp area of Polk, Lake and Sumter Counties, while the coastal regions of
Sarasota and Charlotte Counties are discharge areas from the Floridan. Natural discharge can be
to springs, rivers, lakes, and in areas where the potentiometric water level surface is higher than
the overlying Surficial Aquifer system’s water table. Wells that tap into the aquifer are also
another large source of withdrawal.

Chapter 3.0
Due to the extensive recharge area located both within the drainage basins comprising the study
area and beyond the boundaries of the study area, water quality within the Floridan Aquifer is
influenced by recharge and infiltration of water from both within and outside the study area.
Therefore, control of water quality and quantity with the Floridan Aquifer are partially dependent
on conditions outside the confines of the study area. The location and classification of all of the
permitted wells identified within the CHNEP study area is presented as Figure A16.
3.5 POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE MAPS FOR

INTERMEDIATE AND FLORIDAN AQUIFERS
Potentiometric surface data for the Intermediate and Upper Floridan Aquifers was obtained from
the SWFWMD and analyzed for trends. The data covered the following periods: May 1978 (dry
season), September 1978 (wet season), May 1995 (dry season), September 1995 (wet season),
May 2001 (dry season) and September 2001 (wet season). The 1978 data, which represents
aquifer conditions after the establishment of industrial complexes (mainly phosphate mining) but
prior to the large population boom of the late 1970’s and 1980’s in central and south Florida and
the subsequent residential housing boom, only covers the Floridan Aquifer, while data for the
other periods were obtained for both the Intermediate and Floridan Aquifers. The potentiometric
surface maps are presented as Figures A17a through A17j. Similar maps were not available from
the SFWMD; a review of water table elevation data for study area wells located within the
SFWMD boundaries suggest a similar distribution of contours to those provided for the
SWFWMD portion of the study area.
Early Data (1978)
The 1978 data represents conditions within the Floridan Aquifer prior to the major increase in
population and residential development within the study area (especially in the coastal regions)
that has occurred during the past 25 years. The highest elevations of the potentiometric surface
of the Floridan Aquifer (greater than 120 feet above MSL) lie in central Polk County near the
headwaters of the Peace River, and the lowest elevations (between 10-20 feet above MSL) are
located along the coastal regions of Sarasota and Charlotte County north of Charlotte Harbor.
The potentiometric elevations from May (the end of the traditional dry season in Florida) to
September (the end of the traditional rainy season in Florida) remained generally static in the
recharge areas within Polk County, while potentiometric elevations for the September data in the
coastal regions were elevated approximately 10 feet over May data. Increased rainfall during the
wet season will result in recharge to the Floridan Aquifer and, consequently, increased flow from
Floridan Aquifer discharge areas, as well as increased runoff and infiltration from higher
elevations to lower, coastal areas.

Chapter 3.0
Above-average Precipitation Year (1995)
Precipitation patterns within Florida are influenced on a periodic basis by the weather
phenomenon known as El Nino and La Nina. According to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Nino is a large-scale weakening of trade winds and
warming of the surface layers in the equatorial eastern and central Pacific Ocean. El Nino event
often result in coastal flooding in the United States and cooler-than-normal winters in the
southern United States. Conversely, La Nina is the cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean surface,
producing warmer winters in the southern United States. Generally, El Nino years in Florida are
characterized by cool, wet winters and La Nina years feature warm, dry winters.
Floridan Aquifer - The year 1995 represents an average El Nino year in the study area, with
higher-than-average annual rainfall totals. The potentiometric surface in the upper Floridan
Aquifer is highest in Polk County and decreases rapidly as one moves toward the southern
portions of the region, with maximum elevations of 130 feet above MSL in north-central Polk
County. Potentiometric elevations exceed ground surface elevations in the majority of the
southern one-half of the region, where artesian flow from wells screened within the Intermediate
Aquifer (where present) and the Upper Floridan Aquifer is common. The variation in the
Floridan Aquifer potentiometric surface from dry season (May 1995 – Figure A17c) to wet
season (September 1995 – Figure A17e) produced elevation increases of as much as 20 feet
across all but the areas closest to the coastline. The elevation increase after the wet season
during this El Nino period produced a maximum elevation of the potentiometric surface (greater
than 130 feet above MSL in northern Polk County) that exceeded the maximum elevation during
the earlier time period (1978).
Intermediate Zone - The potentiometric surface in the Intermediate Aquifer/confining unit is

highest in Polk County and the Four Corners area (where Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and
Manatee Counties meet), with maximum elevations of 130 feet above MSL. Potentiometric
elevations decrease rapidly toward the southern one-half of the region, with elevations of less
than 10 feet above MSL located along the Sarasota and Manatee County coasts. The variation in
the Intermediate zone potentiometric surface from dry season (May 1995 – Figure A17d) to wet
season (September 1995 – Figure A17f) produced only slightly increased elevations in the
southern one-half of the region (discharge zones) where the Intermediate zone thickness if
greatest, while the elevations in the northern recharge areas increased greatly from dry season to
wet season, due to increased recharge from surface runoff and infiltration.
Below-average Precipitation Year (2001)
Floridan Aquifer - The year 2001 represents an average La Nina year in the study area, with
lower-than-average annual rainfall totals. The potentiometric surface in the upper Floridan
Aquifer remains highest in Polk County and decreases rapidly as one moves toward the southern
portions of the region, with maximum elevations of greater than 120 feet above MSL in north-
central Polk County. Potentiometric elevations in the southern one-half of the region during the
dry season (May 2001 – Figure A17g) are very similar to those recorded in the same area during

Chapter 3.0
the pre-development dry season (May 1978 – Figure A17a), while dry season elevations in the
northern one-half of the region are as much as 20 feet lower than those recorded during the May
1995 period. The elevation decrease is most evident through the southern one-half of Polk
County and most of Hardee County. Potentiometric elevations increased approximately 10 feet
throughout most of the region, and the 2001 wet season surface (September 2001 – Figure A17i)
closely resembles the pre-development wet season surface (September 1978 – Figure A17b).
Intermediate Zone - The potentiometric surface in the Intermediate Aquifer/confining unit during
the dry season of 2001 (May 2001 – Figure A17h) shows the greatest variation from previous
years’ data. When compared with the May 1995 data, the potentiometric surface within the
Intermediate zone is significantly lower throughout the region, with the exception that the areas
of highest elevation (central Polk County and the Four Corners area) remained at the same
elevation (120 feet above MSL) as previous years. The portion of the region with Intermediate
zone elevations of less than 20 feet above MSL expanded to include the entire coastal region and
the portion of Charlotte County west of the Myakka River. The variation in the Intermediate
zone potentiometric surface from dry season to wet season (September 2001 – Figure A17j)
produced only slightly increased elevations in the areas of highest elevation, while elevations in
central Polk County and the area surrounding Charlotte Harbor increased as much as 20 feet.
The potentiometric surface from the wet season of 2001 and the wet season of 1995 are very
similar in the southern one-half of the region, while the surface elevations throughout Polk
County is approximately 10 feet lower in 2001 from 1995.
3.6 WATER RESOURCE ISSUES

The study area is included in the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA), declared by the
SWFWMD governing board in 1992, while the southern-most portion of the study area (southern
Charlotte County and northern Lee County) are located within the Lower West Coast Division of
the SFWMD. Water Use Caution Areas are declared in regions where water resources are or
will become critical within the next 20 years. The main water resource concerns associated with
this area involve declining lake levels along the Highlands Ridge and advancing saltwater
intrusion in the Floridan Aquifer in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Nearly 85% of
the groundwater needs of the study area are provided by the Floridan Aquifer, and up to 90% of
the groundwater consumption of the area is for four major uses: citrus, row crops, mining and
public supply. Within the SWUCA in 2001, there were 5,903 water use permits issued by the
SWFWMD; a breakdown by category for those permits is as follows:
• Agriculture – 5,115
• Industrial/Commercial – 153
• Mining – 55
• Public Supply – 181
• Recreational/Aesthetic – 399

Chapter 3.0
Domestic self-supply sources, which are defined by SWFWMD as private wells that are too
small in diameter to require permits or report annual pumpage, are not included in the number of
permits and the annual withdrawals from these sources are estimated by SWFWMD staff using
population estimates.
The SWFWMD has determined that the approximate sustainable yield of the Floridan Aquifer is
between 650-710 million gallons per day (MGD). Between 1991 and 1995 average water use in
the SWUCA was 616 MGD; during water year 2001, the total of all groundwater withdrawals
within the SWUCA equaled 706.03 MGD. An estimated average of approximately 1.3 billion
gallons of freshwater was withdrawn each day within the SWFWMD region in 2001.
Approximately 86% of this amount was supplied from groundwater sources. The use of
groundwater for potable use in public water supply systems increased at a very low rate while
potable use of surface water supplies increased dramatically from the early 1990’s. For 2001,
agricultural water users constituted the largest single category or sector, withdrawing an average
of 581 MGD or 43% of total freshwater use. Public Supply water users, including Domestic
Self-Supply, were second with 566 MGD or 42%. Mining/Dewatering withdrew 70 MGD or
five percent; Recreational/Aesthetic, 61 MGD or five percent; and Industrial/Commercial, 68
MGD or five percent. Polk County had the largest Agricultural, Mining/Dewatering,
Industrial/Commercial and Domestic Self-Supply water use in the District, averaging 126, 29, 38
and 10 MGD, respectively. Overall, Polk County had the largest total water use of the sixteen
counties during 2001. An average of 280 million gallons was used each day in Polk County, or
approximately 21% of the District's total.
For the entire LWC district of the SFWMD, the total average water demand for all uses was
312,954 million gallons per year (MGY), or 857.4 MGD. By the year 2020, the SFWMD
projects that total demand for all uses within the LWC district will be 401,548 MGY (1,100.13
MGD). Approximately 20% of the LWC district is included within the boundaries of the
CHNEP study area.
As for the Caloosahatchee River basin, SFWMD, 2000 explains that agriculture irrigation is the
most important water use east of the S-79 Franklin Locks and Dam. This demand is controlled
by an extensive network of canals that recharge the water table during the dry season and drain
floodwaters during the wet season. Agricultural demands from surface water sources within the
basin were estimated to be about 230,000 acre-feet per year (200 MGD) in 1995 and are
expected to increase to 320,000 acre-feet (285 MGD) by 2020. Public water supply needs from
surface water sources within the basin was estimated to be about 13,000 acre-feet per year (12
MGD) in 1995 and is expected to increase to 18,000 acre-feet (16 MGD) by 2020. The
Caloosahatchee River receives water from Lake Okeechobee for flood control and water supply,
and regulatory discharges from the lake to lower lake-stage for flood protection is 37% of total
surface water discharge from Lake Okeechobee. Water is also released to flush algal blooms and
lower chloride levels near the water supply intake structures during dry years.
Consumptive use permits are issued by the SWFWMD according to criteria contained in Chapter
40D-2, Florida Administrative Code (FAC), while SFWMD consumptive use permitting rules

Chapter 3.0
are contained in Chapter 40E-2, FAC. According to Chapter 40D-2.041(1), the SWFWMD
requires a Water Use Permit for any withdrawal of water exceeding any of the following
thresholds:
(a) Total withdrawal capacity of source(s) greater than or equal to 1 MGD;
(b) Annual average withdrawal from any source(s) greater than or equal to 100,000 GPD;
(c) Withdrawal is from a well having an outside diameter of six inches or more; or,
(d) Withdrawal from a surface water body from a withdrawal pipe with an outside
diameter of four inches or more.
The SFWMD formerly had classified all of Lee County, the coastal portion of Collier County
and portions of Glades and Hendry Counties as Reduced Threshold Areas (RTAs), which is a
designation basically similar to the SWUCA established by SWFWMD; both areas were
considered at risk due to large groundwater withdrawals in areas prone to salt water intrusion.
However, in 2004 the SFWMD eliminated the designation of RTAs.
According to Chapters 40E-2.041 and 40E-2.051, Water Use Permits are required by the
SFWMD for any withdrawal of water, except for the following exceptions:
(a) Water used strictly for domestic use at a single family dwelling or duplex;
(b) Water used strictly for fire fighting purposes; and,
(c) Water used at a single family dwelling for irrigation or other incidental uses.
Minor Standard General Water Use Permits are issued for water uses of three million gallons per
month (MGM) or less, while Major Standard General Water Use Permits are issued for uses of
between 3 MGM to 15 MGM. Major Standard General permits also require that use of
reclaimed water sources is included. Minor Standard General permits are issued for periods of
up to 20 years. An Individual Water Use Irrigation Permit is issued for projects with monthly
irrigation or agricultural use exceeding 15 MGM, and a Major General Water Use Irrigation
Permit is issued for projects with uses between 3 MGM and 15 MGM.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................ES-1

1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1-1

2.0 DATA COMPILATION.................................................................................................. 2-1

3.0 HYDROGEOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 3-1

4.0 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES...................................................................................... 4-1

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................... 5-1

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... R-1

ii Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Appendix A MICROSOFT ACCESS DATABASE (database included on CD)

Appendix B SIMPLE STATISTICS

Appendix C TRENDS ANALYSES

Appendix D DOUBLE-MASS ANALYSES

Appendix E CLUSTER ANALYSIS

iii Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

iv Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

ES-1 Analyses of Hydrologic Conditions

ES-2 Analyses of Hydrologic Conditions

A comprehensive double-mass statistical analysis was completed to identify changes in the

ES-3 Analyses of Hydrologic Conditions

The statistical analyses yielded the following broad findings:

ES-4 Analyses of Hydrologic Conditions

1.1 GOALS OF THIS STUDY

1-1 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

1-2 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

1-3 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

• Charlotte Harbor proper;

1-4 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

1.2 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

1-5 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

• National Weather Service (NWS)

2-1 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

2.1 RAINFALL AND EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

2.2 STREAM FLOW

2-2 Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

2.5 SYNOPSES OF RELEVANT REPORTS

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc. Proposed Environmental Indicators and

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Florida Geological Survey. Springs of Florida. Distribution of Florida Springs. Geological

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

A long-term trend analyses of streamflow data shows a statistically significant (90-percent

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

 Volume 1. Northeast Florida

 Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

The transmissivity of the Intermediate Aquifer system is spatially variable. Specific-capacity

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Lewelling, B. R, 1997. Hydrologic and Water-Quality Conditions in the Horse Creek

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

 Volume 1. Northeast Florida

 Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Analysis of Hydrologic Conditions

Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Volume 1. Northeast Florida

Volume 1. Northeast Florida