S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

2019 SOUTH FLORIDA

Environmental Report

Large white ibis nesting colony in the Everglades

(photo by Mark Cook, SFWMD).

Highlights
The 2019 South Florida Environmental Report (SFER) documents a year of restoration, scientific and engineering
accomplishments in the Kissimmee Basin, Lake Okeechobee, Everglades and South Florida coastal areas. The report
also provides extensive peer reviewed research summaries, data analyses, financial updates and a searchable
database of environmental projects.

The full report covers environmental information for Water Year 2018 (May 1, 2017–April 30, 2018) and project/
budgetary information for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD or District) Fiscal Year 2017-2018
(October 1, 2017–September 30, 2018). The full >2,600-page report is available online at www.sfwmd.gov/sfer.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 2

WATER YEAR 2018 INFLOWS, OUTFLOWS, Hurricane Irma affected most of the District. The storm made
WATER LEVELS, AND STORMS landfall in the Florida Keys on September 10, 2017, as a Category
During Water Year 2018, all District regions received far above 4 storm. The storm caused catastrophic damage before crossing
average rainfall. The wet season (June–October 2017) was the the Florida peninsula and making landfall near Marco Island as a
wettest on record (since 1932). An extreme rainfall event occurred Category 3 hurricane. Impacts on the water management system
from June 1 to June 8, 2017, which sharply increased water levels due to the winds and rainfall included fallen trees in canals,
in the water conservation areas (WCAs) far above their regulation eroded levees and structure banks, damage to pump stations that
schedule, putting tree islands and animals at risk. In addition interfered with pump performance, field station damage, and
to the June 2017 extreme rainfall event, three tropical systems pump station access road flooding and damage. The storm also
affected the District during the 2017 Hurricane Season (Water Year affected the Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas including
2018): Tropical Storm Emily (July 30–August 1), Hurricane Irma increased flows, phosphorus loads, and turbidity, and damage to
(September 8–11), and Tropical Storm Philippe (October 28–29). vegetation.
Overall, these systems contributed over 12 inches of rainfall within
the District area.

The extreme rain event in June prompted state and federal

agencies to take immediate actions. On June 13, 2017, the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) restricted
uses and public access in the Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and
Rotenberger wildlife management areas. The Florida Department
of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued an emergency final
order on June 23, 2017, authorizing SFWMD and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) to take immediate action to deviate
from permitted water management practices to move significant
volumes of flood water out of the WCAs, which received about 20
inches of rain above normal. This amount of wet season rainfall in
the WCAs is only expected approximately once every 100 years.
SFWMD field station staff and crews and contractors deployed
temporary pumps at six locations to assist in lowering WCA
water levels. Hurricane Irma damage.

Water Year 2018 wet season was the wettest on record since 1932 with 51.5 inches of rain. The red and blue shading represents inches of rainfall
above (blue) or below (red) historical monthly averages.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 3

Water Year 2018 Flows

a. Due to sensor errors, it appears that flows are overestimated from Lake Okeechobee and
underestimated for C-44 Basin runoff. See Volume I, Chapter 2, Table 2-1 for details.
b. This item is not shown on the map.
c. Calculated value.
d. Map ID 5 includes agricultural withdrawals.
e. Map ID 7 includes agricultural and public water supply withdrawals.

Inflow/outflow map depicts flow numbers in acre-feet* of water for

Water Year 2018 (May 1, 2017- April 30, 2018) moved through the water
management system.

*An acre-foot of water is the volume needed to cover 1 acre of land with
1 foot of water.
Revised March 6, 2019

EVERGLADES TOTAL PHOSPHORUS 2017 and Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The percent TP load
IMPROVEMENTS retained in Water Year 2018 ranged from 62% (STA-5/6) to 90%
Phosphorus controls implemented in the 1990s to improve water (STA-3/4).
quality in the Everglades Protection Area under the Everglades
Forever Act (EFA) include the mandated Best Management Practice
(BMP) Program and existing Everglades Stormwater Treatment
Areas. More recent improvements are being implemented as part
of the Restoration Strategies program, such as STA expansions,
flow equalization basins, and subregional source controls.

Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas

Over a 24-year operational history, the Everglades Stormwater
Treatment Areas (STAs) have treated approximately 20.1
million acre-feet of water and retained 2,604 metric tons
of total phosphorus (TP) with a 77% TP load reduction. In
Water Year 2018, with 57,000 acres of treatment area, the STAs
treated a combined 1.6 million acre-feet of water and retained
275 metric tons of TP, which equated to a 77% TP load reduction.
Approximately 107,000 acre-feet of the water treated in the STAs
came from Lake Okeechobee; the remaining water came from
agricultural and urban runoff.

Except for STA-3/4, outflow flow-weighted mean TP concentrations

from the STAs were markedly higher in Water Year 2018 compared Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) have prevented
to outflow concentrations in recent water years. This increase was 2,604 metric tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades since
attributed primarily to impacts from the large rain event in June 1996.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 4

Regional Nutrient Source Control Programs

To date, 23 years of best management practices (BMPs)
on agricultural lands have prevented 3,779 metric tons of
phosphorus from leaving the Everglades Agricultural Area
(EAA) Basin in stormwater runoff. The SFWMD Everglades
Program mandates quantifiable phosphorus reductions at the
source. Areas historically contributing the greatest proportion
of the TP load to the Everglades Protection Area, the Everglades
Agricultural Area and C-139 basins, both met their TP load
performance measures in Water Year 2018. The EAA Basin achieved
a 66% reduction in TP load from the pre-BMP baseline period; a
minimum TP load reduction of 25% is required. The cumulative
reduction in TP load in EAA Basin runoff since the program started
in 1996 is 3,779 metric tons, or a long-term average annual TP load
reduction of 57%.

Restoration Strategies
Under this program, the District is implementing a regional water
quality plan that includes projects to supplement the existing Best management practices (BMPs) have prevented 3,779 metric
Everglades Forever Act mandated projects. The plan includes tons of phosphorus from leaving the Everglades Agricultural Area
6,500 acres of new STAs and 116,000 acre-feet of additional water (EAA) Basin in stormwater runoff since 1996.
storage, utilizing flow equalization basins (FEBs) and subregional
source controls within the EAA Basin. The design and construction n The A-1 FEB operational monitoring and testing period was
of Restoration Strategies projects is ongoing with completion of all completed in July 2018.
projects expected by December 2025.
n Design of STA-5/6 internal improvements started in April
Major milestones have been reached in design, construction 2018.
and operation of Restoration Strategies projects in Water Year
2018: The District continues to make progress in implementing
the Restoration Strategies Science Plan, which began
n Construction continued on STA-1 West Expansion #1 to create
implementation in 2013. The scientific studies under this plan
approximately 4,300 acres of additional effective treatment investigate ways for improving operation and maintenance of
area. Construction was completed on December 21, 2018. the STAs to optimize treatment performance and help achieve
the water quality-based effluent limit for TP. Overall, 12 studies
n The STA-1 West Expansion #2 project
is anticipated to provide at least 1,600
acres of effective treatment area. Land
acquisition was completed in January
2018 and project design started on
September 21, 2018.

n Construction of the L-8 FEB was completed

June 21, 2017.

n The G-341 Related Conveyance

Improvements project is intended
to improve conveyance within the
eastern Everglades Agricultural Area,
specifically in the Bolles East, Ocean,
and Hillsboro canals. Construction of
Bolles East (L-16) Canal Segments 1 and
2 conveyance improvements and a new
Duda Road bridge is complete. Segment
3 construction started in May 2017, was Location of phosphorus controls upstream of the water conservation areas (WCAs),
approximately 50% complete as of April including existing and new stormwater treatment areas (STAs) and flow equalization
2018, and is expected to be complete by basins (FEBs). "New" in the figure refers to all STAs and FEBs planned and constructed as a
February 2019. Segment 4 construction is part of Restoration Strategies as opposed to those that existed prior to implementation of
expected to start by March 2019. Restoration Strategies. Some are already constructed: A-1 FEB, L-8 FEB, and the northern
portion of the STA-1W Expansion.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 5

have been undertaken. Of these, two were

completed prior to Water Year 2018, one was
completed during Water Year 2018, and two
were recently completed in September 2018
(Water Year 2019).

As part of the P Flux Study, which evaluates

mechanisms and factors that affect
phosphorus treatment performance in the
Everglades STAs, seven controlled flow events
and associated measurements already have
been carried out and three flow events are
planned in Water Year 2019 for the STA-3/4
Western Flow-way.

The Evaluation of Inundation Depth and

Duration for Cattail Sustainability study is
evaluating cattail community sustainability
in the STAs through field monitoring and
evaluation of growth in test cells. These
evaluations will continue through the next few
water years.
Phosphorus improvements have been and will be achieved through load and concentration
The Use of Soil Amendments and/ reductions from the regional nutrient source control programs’ best management practices
or Management to Control P Flux (BMPs), existing Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), and Restoration Strategies.
study investigates the application of soil WQBEL is the Water Quality Based Effluent Limit.
amendments and soil management to reduce
internal loading of phosphorus in the STAs. The rFAV Study, which evaluated the potential benefit of rooted
A field-scale investigation of the benefits of soil inversion will be floating aquatic vegetation (rFAV) in removing phosphorus, was
performed at the STA-1 West Expansion Area #1 beginning in 2019. completed in late 2018.

The PSTA Study, which evaluated the ability of periphyton-based The Evaluation of Factors Contributing to the Formation of
treatment to remove phosphorus as a final polishing step, was Floating Tussocks in the STAs study evaluates potential factors
completed in late 2018. that may have triggered the formation of floating tussocks in the
STAs. This study is ongoing through 2019.

STA-1W Outflow Pump

Station G-310 with
structures and canals
being constructed as part
of STA-1W Expansion #1,
looking northwest (photo
by SFWMD, May 2018).
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 6

The Investigation of the Effects of Abundant Faunal Species on Everglades Total Phosphorus in Water Year 2018
P Cycling in the STAs study, which is determining the influence Everglades water quality in relation to total phosphorus
of animal population in phosphorus cycling and reduction in the continues to show improvement. In Water Year 2018, inflow TP
STAs, is ongoing through 2019. concentrations for the Everglades Protection Area ranged from
8.8 parts per billion (ppb) for Everglades National Park to 28.5
The Improving Resilience of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in ppb for Water Conservation Area (WCA) 3. TP concentrations at
the STAs study, which investigates the effects of operational and interior regions ranged from 4.7 ppb in Everglades National Park to
environmental conditions on the health of submerged aquatic 10.5 ppb in WCA-2. Individual interior marsh monitoring stations
vegetation in the STAs, is ongoing through 2019. ranged from 2.9 ppb in some unimpacted portions of the marsh
to 36.1 ppb at sites that are highly influenced by canal inputs.
The STA Water and Phosphorus Budget Improvements study The investments made over the last two decades are making a
will improve annual STA water and phosphorus budgets to provide difference, improving Everglades water quality with over 90% of
a more accurate estimation of STA cell performance and to identify the Everglades Protection Area at or below 10 ppb TP.
areas of uncertainty. This study is ongoing through 2023.

Baseline Period: Water Years 1979–1983 Progress Today: Water Years 2014–2018
High total phosphorus in Majority of area below
water conservation areas 10 parts per billion (ppb)

Over the last two decades, average total phosphorus (TP) concentrations within the Everglades marsh have been
reduced in the water conservation areas from 24 parts per billion (ppb) to less than 10 ppb, and averaged 4.7 ppb
within Everglades National Park in Water Year 2018.

Red dots show areas with levels of TP measuring over 10 ppb prior to restoration efforts and today with most areas restored to water quality healthy to
Everglades ecology. The larger the dot, the higher the TP level. Green dots show areas with TP levels at or under 10 ppb. The handful of monitoring stations
above 10 ppb continue to make significant progress in achieving that standard.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 7

Annual total number of nests of four freshwater bird species in the Everglades Protection Area over the last 33 years. Nesting effort in 2018 was
comparable to that of the 1930s and 1940s. Data source: P. Frederick, University of Florida; L. Oberhofer, Everglades National Park; and M. Cook,
SFWMD. Photo source: M. Cook, SFWMD.

EVERGLADES WADING BIRD NESTING SUCCESS This was by far the largest nesting response observed in the
The drainage of the Everglades after the 1940s affected wading last 80 years and comparable with the supercolony nesting
bird reproduction with a decrease in nesting birds, and a shift in events of the 1930s and 1940s. The federally threatened wood
the location of the nesting colonies from the historic nesting sites stork had an excellent year with 3,500 nests, almost three times
along the coast to the ponded marshes of the water conservation the average and the second largest nesting effort since the early
areas. Delayed wood stork nesting caused a decline in nesting 1960s, because nesting began early enough in the dry season to
success because chicks are often still in the nest when food reach completion before food becomes unavailable during the wet
availability declines during the wet season. season. A huge surge in nesting by the white ibis with 95,000 nests,
accounted for about 78% of all wading bird nests in the Everglades
There is considerable variability in nesting effort each year in this year – 75,000 more nests than usual, or 150,000 additional
response to fluctuations in hydrological conditions and prey adults. Nearly 40,000 nests were initiated near the coast, which is
resources. Nesting success increased beginning around 2000 when by far the largest nesting effort in this region since the 1940s.
the climate shifted to wetter conditions, mercury levels declined,
and water management began to consider the ecology of the So why was WY2018 such a record breaking year for wading birds
birds in its decision-making. Several exceptional nesting years in the Everglades? There are three hypotheses: Relatively dry
occurred during this recent period, including the record breaking conditions during last year’s dry season (Water Year 2017) led to
2009 with a very respectable 63,000 nests. Water Year 2018 nesting increased crayfish recruitment. Extreme rainfall during Water Year
was almost double this number with over 116,000 nests recorded 2018’s wet season (spring and summer 2017) led to increased
within the water conservation areas and Everglades National Park. crayfish and small fish production. Consistent drying during the
nesting season produced prey concentrations across the landscape
at the right time and place; or, a combination of all three.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 8

Beyond the nesting responses reported for the Everglades, wading resources towards achieving maintenance level control of
bird nesting colonies were also monitored throughout South melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, and other aggressive invaders in
Florida. Details on nesting activities from the Everglades and other Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.
locations are documented annually in the South Florida Wading
Bird Report, which is available online at www.sfwmd.gov/sfer by n The federal and Florida noxious weed, mission grass, is a
clicking on the Wading Bird Reports link provided under Technical new focus for regional containment following its discovery
Publications. in southeastern Florida. Local, state, and federal partner
agencies began a rapid response effort in 2017.
INVASIVE SPECIES
The District has one of the country’s largest invasive plant n The interagency melaleuca management program continues
management programs, controlling aquatic and terrestrial to be a national model for regional, interagency invasive plant
vegetation systemwide. Seventy-five species of nonindigenous control programs.
plants are District priorities for control. Old World climbing fern,
melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, and Australian pine are systemwide In addition, a considerable numbers of nonindigenous animals
priorities, while aquatic plants such as hydrilla, water hyacinth, and are known to occur in South Florida, ranging from approximately
tropical American watergrass are priorities in the Kissimmee Basin 62 species in the Kissimmee Basin to more than 130 species in the
and Lake Okeechobee. Everglades.

Interagency efforts to achieve maintenance control of priority Invasive animal species were also the focus of agency efforts in
invasive plant species in areas with more severe infestations Water Year 2018:
continue:
n The SFWMD and FWC python hunter incentive programs
n The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Florida Fish and that began in March 2017 have resulted in the removal of
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and SFWMD are approximately 2,000 Burmese pythons.
actively engaged in aggressive control efforts in the Arthur
R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge where n During 2017–2018, federal, state, local, and tribal partners
melaleuca and Old World climbing fern remain problematic. continued efforts to control expanding populations of several
invasive animal species including northern African pythons,
n National Park Service resource managers are collaborating Argentine black and white tegus, and spectacled caimans.
with FWC and SFWMD invasive species biologists to leverage

Priority Plant Species for Control

Australian pine hydrilla Brazilian pepper water hyacinth

Tony Pernas, National Park Service Leslie Mehrhoff, U of Connecticut Stephanie Sanchez

tropical American watergrass

Tony Pernas, National Park Service
melaleuca
Old World climbing fern mission grass
Starr Environmental
Starr Environmental
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 9

Priority Animal Species for Control

spectacled caiman
Burmese python Croc Docs, University of Florida
Tony Pernas, National Park Service

northern African python

Argentine black and white tegu Shawn Heflick, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

n The University of Florida continued to operate the Everglades Florida Bay is being studied in a series of lab experiments
Invasive Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring Program evaluating how hypersalinity can disrupt plant tissue
(EIRAMP) in cooperation with and with support from SFWMD, metabolism in turtlegrass.
FWC, the United States Geological Survey, National Park
Service, and USFWS. The purpose of EIRAMP is to develop n Scientists working on the Cattail Habitat Improvement
an early detection, rapid response, removal, and monitoring Project have documented a decline in phosphorus
program for invasive reptiles and amphibians within Greater concentrations in open versus control plots. This decline
Everglades ecosystems. is associated with the accumulation of more mineral soils,
which could serve as a cap to minimize legacy phosphorus
ECOLOGY RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT flux coming from underlying enriched soils.
In addition to wading bird nesting success, Everglades ecology
research and assessment made the following progress during n Greatly elevated nutrient and chlorophyll a levels occurred
Water Year 2018: throughout Florida Bay in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma
in September 2017. It is likely that runoff and resuspended
n Water budgets were developed for five lakes in two parallel nutrients from decaying vegetation from the seagrass die-
chains of lakes discharging through the Alligator Creek off facilitated algal growth. By the end of the water year,
system and McCormick Creek system in the central lakes chlorophyll a levels had returned to their long-term levels or
area of Florida Bay. The McCormick Creek system contributes were trending in that direction.
most of the water to the central bay and appears to be
groundwater fed by Taylor Slough. Recent increases in this n Effects of openings of the S-197 structure, an outlet from the
flow may indicate positive response to additional water C-111 Canal into the Manatee Bay-Barnes Sound region, were
from the C-111 Spreader Canal project. assessed. Water released during a 2017 emergency order
reduced surface water salinities as much as 20, but not the
n Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) colonization of Rankin Lake benthic salinity, which buffered SAV from damage.
following a 2015 turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) die-off
was hampered in Water Year 2018 by Hurricane Irma, but n Decomp Physical Model data was synthesized to produce
preliminary data suggest that the recovering seagrass beds models for water, sediment, and sediment phosphorus
were not severely affected. The cause of seagrass die-off in budgets across the L-67C Canal Backfill Treatment Area.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 10

n Agricultural Non-Point BMP Update

NORTHERN EVERGLADES AND

To date, BMP manuals for cow/calf, citrus, vegetable and

ESTUARIES PROTECTION PROGRAM
The District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection agronomic crops, nurseries, equine, sod, dairy, poultry, and
(FDEP), and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer specialty fruit and nut operations have been published by
Services (FDACS) continued to implement the Northern Everglades FDACS, which is directed by NEEPP as the lead agency for
and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP) during Water Year 2018. agricultural BMPs. Acreages enrolled in the program as of
April 30, 2018, are 1,756,839 acres in the Lake Okeechobee
n Basin Management Action Plans
Watershed, 279,115 acres in the St. Lucie River Watershed, and
As of December 31, 2017, 23% of the TP reductions needed 426,747 acres in the Caloosahatchee River Watershed. Details
to meet the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Total Maximum are available at www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/
Daily Load (TMDL), 51% of the required total nitrogen (TN) Agricultural-Water-Policy.
reductions and 35% of the required TP reductions needed
to meet the St. Lucie River Basin TMDLs, and 59% of the TN Lake Okeechobee Conditions for Water Year 2018
reductions needed to meet the Caloosahatchee Estuary TMDL In Water Year 2018, TP load to Lake Okeechobee from the
were achieved. Additional details on the status of the basin watershed (1,046 metric tons) was substantially higher than
management action plans can be found on the FDEP website last water year’s TP load (449 metric tons). This increase may be
at https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-restoration/ attributed to an extremely wet September and October 2017,
content/basin-management-action-plans-bmaps. when inflows to the lake were very high after Hurricane Irma.
Runoff from the watershed and resuspension of sediments after
n STAR
the storm resulted in a one-week increase in the average measured
Appendix A of the Florida Statewide Annual Report on Total TP concentrations. Post-storm water clarity also markedly
Maximum Daily Loads, Basin Management Action Plans, decreased. Strong winds experienced in January 2018 caused
Minimum Flows or Minimum Water Levels, and Recovery even further sediment resuspension, resulting in the highest in-
or Prevention Strategies (STAR) details the progress made lake average turbidity levels since the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes.
through December 31, 2017, on implementation of NEEPP Hurricane Irma further decreased the estimated coverage of
BMAPs. Details are available at https://floridadep.gov/dear/ submerged aquatic vegetation in the lake, which was already
water-quality-restoration/content/statewide-annual-report. relatively low due to high water levels associated with El Niño
events in early 2016. Low inflows prior to summer 2017 led to
Lake Okeechobee Watershed Construction Project
n
conditions favorable to algal blooms in the lake.
Construction of the southern section of the Lakeside Ranch
STA – Phase II and the Kissimmee River Restoration Project St. Lucie River Estuary Conditions for Water Year 2018
continued. Operations continued for Lakeside Ranch A high amount of wet season rain was the driver for increased
STA Phase I, Taylor Creek STA, and Nubbin Slough STA. discharges to the estuary during Water Year 2018. This in turn
Additionally, the planning and design phase was launched for increased TP and TN loading to the estuary. TN loading
construction of estuary protection wells. (3,135 metric tons) was almost twice the long-term average
(1,779 metric tons). TP (556 metric tons) was 70% higher than
St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee River Watersheds
n
the long-term average (327 metric tons). Salinity was too low for
Construction Projects oysters 38% of the time and too high 16% of the time, most of
Construction continued on the Comprehensive Everglades which occurred in the wet season. Live oyster densities were high
Restoration Plan (CERP) Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West at the beginning of the 2018 wet season, averaging 1,047 oysters
Basin Storage Reservoir, CERP Indian River Lagoon South per square meter, but density fell to less than one oyster per square
– C-44 Reservoir/STA, and Lake Hicpochee Hydrologic meter after Hurricane Irma and remained low through the dry
Enhancement – North Project. Operations and monitoring season due to low larval recruitment. The prevalence of the oyster
of Phase I mesocosms of the C-43 Water Quality Treatment marine parasite, Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) was comparatively
and Testing Facility Project continued. Construction of a low in Water Year 2018 before the hurricane; assessment was not
remediation project for water storage at Ten Mile Creek was possible after the storm due to lack of live oysters.
completed. Implementation of hybrid wetland treatment
technologies and floating aquatic vegetative tilling Caloosahatchee River Estuary Conditions for Water Year 2018
technologies to remove nutrients at subbasin and farm scales High rainfall during the Water Year 2018 wet season drove
also progressed in the Northern Everglades watersheds. increased discharge to the estuary, resulting in increased TN and TP
loading to the estuary. TN increased 74% from a long-term average
Dispersed Water Management Program (DWM)
n
of 3,070 to 5,329 metric tons and TP loading (643 metric tons) was
The storage provided by the operational projects within the 116% higher than the long-term average (297 metric tons). At
DWM Program for the water year was estimated to be more the Ft. Myers station, only 69% of the days in the water year had a
than 66,000 acre-feet (ac-ft). Two new projects were added: salinity of less than 10, which is the target for tape grass (Vallisneria
Caulkins Water Farm Expansion, which became operational americana). Average live oyster density at Bird Island in the lower
in December 2017 with an estimated average annual benefit estuary was relatively low (813 oysters per square meter pre-
of 60,000 ac-ft/year, and C-23/24 Interim Storage Section C hurricane) and declined post-hurricane to 587 oysters per square
Water Farm, which became operational in August 2017 with meter. Oyster larval recruitment was low. Iona Cove was similarly
an estimated average annual benefit of 3,850 ac-ft/year. impacted by the hurricane.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 11

KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under

The final phases of construction for the Kissimmee River the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Regulation Act
Restoration Project are nearing completion. This work involves (CERPRA), Everglades Forever Act (EFA), Northern Everglades
backfilling an additional 6.5 miles of the C-38 canal (referred to as and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP), and Environmental
Reach 2), removal of the S-65C structure, and construction of the Resource Permit (ERP) state statutes. Currently, annual updates are
S-69 weir. The Reach 2 backfilling and structure removal contract provided for 30 projects: 7 projects under construction, 18 projects
began in January 2017 and is projected to be completed in 2020. operating and 5 with a phase under construction while at least
The S-69 weir construction contract was awarded in 2017 and one other phase is operating. Water Year 2018 updates on most
construction began in November 2018. The projected completion of these projects are provided below. The map on page 15 shows
date is also in 2020. Once all construction and land acquisition the location of these projects. Restoration Strategies projects are
are complete, the Headwaters Revitalization Schedule, which will discussed in more detail in the subsection on page 4.
regulate water flow to the river, will be implemented.
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
FUNDING RESTORATION PROJECTS (CERP) Progress
Continuing the state’s strong support of Everglades Restoration,
the Florida Legislature appropriated over $230 million for Fiscal Picayune Strand Restoration Project
Year 2016-17 and over $247 million for Fiscal Year 2017-18 for This project includes the restoration of 55,000 acres of native
CERP, Northern Everglades and Restoration Strategies.  Governor Florida wetlands and uplands located between Alligator Alley
Ron DeSantis has called for achieving more now for Florida’s (Interstate 75) and the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) in the southwestern
environment in signing Executive Order 19-12, seeking corner of Florida. Restoration is being achieved by plugging
$2.5 billion over the next four years, the highest level of funding 45 miles of canals, removing and degrading 260 miles of
for restoration in Florida’s history, to expedite Everglades roads, construction and operation of three pump stations, and
restoration and protection of water resources. management of non-native species. In Water Year 2018, the
following was accomplished.
RESTORATION PROJECTS STATUS • Work progressed on hydrologic modeling of the Southwest
Volume III of the 2019 SFER provides an annual update on Protection Feature’s project area to provide the basis for
environmental restoration projects to comply with permits issued construction.

Kissimmee River Restoration Project Reach 2 backfilling progress.

 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 12

• Miller Pump Station (S-486) construction was complete in Canal, starting in May 2018. Construction of these remaining
June 2018. culverts was completed in October 2018 and will provide
• The dry winter and spring set the stage for fires that severely additional freshwater flow to remnant tidal creeks and coastal
burned the southern portion of Picayune Strand. The fire only wetlands in Biscayne National Park.
entered the fringes of the partially hydrologically restored • Comparison of water quality and ecological monitoring data
areas. collected during the last six years with previous baseline
• Vegetation management activities on the canal, road, logging data indicates that the project is trending towards success.
tram, demolition, and remediation construction footprints Water quality in the bay and wetlands has improved as fresh
have been effective in controlling the invasion of most exotic water is redirected from canals to wetlands and point source
vegetation and allowing natural vegetation to become freshwater discharges to the bay have been reduced.
established on these restored sites, particularly in areas where • Vegetation within the vicinity of the Deering Estate
the hydrology has been greatly restored. component is responding to improved hydrology
demonstrated by die-off of upland vegetation, emergence
Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands of wetland species, and expansion of sawgrass. During Water
The purpose of this project is to rehydrate coastal wetlands and Year 2018, sawgrass recruitment was observed in areas to the
reduce abrupt point-source freshwater discharge to Biscayne Bay east and west of the L-31E canal within the wetlands.
and Biscayne National Park that are physiologically stressful to fish • An increased abundance of various bird species, amphibians,
and benthic invertebrates in the bay near canal outlets. Recent invertebrates, and fish was observed within the project in
progress includes the following. Water Year 2018.
• Operations of the interim pump installed last water year
began in August 2017. Pumping maintained the L-31E canal C-111 Spreader Canal
stage at an optimal level, allowing fresh water to be diverted This project, located in south Miami-Dade County, will restore the
and delivered via sheet flow and rehydrated historical tidal quantity, timing, and distribution of water delivered to Florida
creeks to the coastal wetlands. Bay through Taylor Slough, optimize flow to support vegetation
• The SFWMD completed design and plans to implement the and restore flow patterns to historical sloughs and associated
construction of Culverts 706A, 706B, 706C, and 708 in the L-31 tributaries, and return coastal salinities in western Florida Bay as

Merritt Canal, once in the foreground, is now replaced with native vegetation in the plugged canal area.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 13

close as possible to historic levels by restoring upstream water Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area (WPA)
levels in eastern Everglades National Park. The project includes This is a remediation project for water storage and will help
pump stations, detention areas, culverts, conveyance canals, and moderate salinity levels and reduce sediment loads in the St. Lucie
10 plugs and/or water control structures. Progress recently made River and Estuary.
on the project follows. • During its first year of operations, the project performed as
• Work continued on the installation of additional 75 cubic feet intended by capturing and storing stormwater originating in
per second (cfs) electric pumps (one each at S-199 and S-200). the Ten Mile Creek Basin, improving the quantity and timing
• Installation of two stage/flow monitoring platforms began on of water deliveries to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The
November 20, 2017, and was deemed substantially complete project reduced phosphorus in water passing through the
in April 2018. project by almost 90%.

Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir 8.5 Square Mile Area and S-356 Pump Station
Once complete, the 10,700-acre reservoir with an average water The purpose of this project is to provide flood mitigation to
depth of 17 feet (deepest 25 feet) will have the capacity to store residents of the Las Palmas Community (also known as the 8.5
170,000 acre-feet of water from Lake Okeechobee and runoff from Square Mile Area) within the interior of the outer levee (L-357W),
the basin that is currently discharged to the river. The water will resulting from increased flows to Everglades National Park as future
then be released when needed so the Caloosahatchee River and phases of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National
Estuary will have a more stable salinity regime. Park project are implemented.
• The pre-loading phase of construction began with site • The project is successfully performing as designed even
clearing and demolition in Cells 1 and 2 in October 2015. though the extreme rainfall in early June 2017 caused high
It included construction of seven preload mounds for water conditions and flooding in the WCAs. In order to
consolidating the foundation of the dam where it would mitigate flooding within the southwest corner of Las Palmas
be penetrated by structures, and removal of all agricultural (i.e., the 8.5 Square Mile Area) associated with the high water
production facilities within the project footprint. This work emergency, S-357N remained partially opened throughout
was completed in both cells in July 2017. the remainder of the water year.
• Construction of a small 195-cfs irrigation supply pump station • To facilitate the transfer of water further south to the North
S-476 began in June 2016 and is anticipated to be completed Detention Area during the high water conditions post-
in February 2019. Hurricane Irma, partial degradation of the L-359 levee
• Construction of the 1,500-cfs reservoir inflow pump station and S-360W weir was completed on September 23, 2017.
S-470 has begun, with completion planned for April 2022. Once the emergency conditions passed, a temporary levee
• Copper soils remediation commenced in August 2017 with (earthen plug) was installed to facilitate construction of
the 5-acre pilot test and 200-acre clearing and grubbing the Northern Detention Area downstream. The permanent
completed. The soils remediation is in progress. removal of the L-359 levee west of the S-360W concrete weir
was completed in July 2018.
C-44 Reservoir and STA
Part of the Indian River Lagoon-South project, will capture, store Everglades Forever Act (EFA) Progress
and treat runoff from the C-44/S-153 basin prior to discharge to
the St. Lucie Estuary, reducing damaging freshwater discharges, L-8 Flow Equalization Basin (FEB)
decreasing nutrient load, and maintaining desirable salinity This Restoration Strategies feature is a deep belowground reservoir
regimes. The 3,400-acre reservoir with an average water depth of capable of storing 45,000 acre-feet (ac-ft) of water. It attenuates
15 feet will have the capacity to store 50,600 acre-feet of water. The peak stormwater runoff flows, temporarily stores stormwater
STA will be approximately 6,300 acres. runoff, and improves delivery rates to STA-1 East and STA-1
• Construction of the inlet and outlet structures for the six STA West. This enhances the operation and phosphorus treatment
cells continued. performance of the STAs.
• Construction of the pump station building, intake basin and • Construction of the project, including the L-8 divide structure
portions of cell berms and collection and distribution canals, (G-541), was completed during the water year and routine
and installation of pumps and drivers was completed. operations began in December 2017.
• During the water year, 53,736 ac-ft of water was conveyed
Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) into and 76,878 ac-ft of water was conveyed out of the L-8
This project will provide significant benefits to the ecosystem, FEB during operational cycle testing and operation.
including restoring wetlands and the natural sheet flow of water,
improving regional flood protection drainage, increasing water A-1 Flow Equalization Basin (FEB)
storage and aquifer recharge capability, and reducing the amount This Restoration Strategies feature is an approximately 15,000-acre
of nutrient-rich stormwater reaching the Imperial River and Estero aboveground impoundment capable of storing approximately
Bay. 60,000 acre-feet of water. It attenuates peak stormwater runoff
• Phase II construction, which encompassed 4,150 acres and flows, temporarily stores stormwater runoff, and improves delivery
consisted of backfilling, ditch plugging, road degradation, rates to STA-2 and STA-3/4. This enhances the operation and
and construction of low water crossings, was completed in phosphorus treatment performance of the STAs.
March 2018.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 14

• The FEB continued operational testing during the water year, Taylor Creek STA
with 372,659 ac-ft of water conveyed into and 245,176 ac-ft of This STA, one of two pilot-scale STAs being implemented north of
water conveyed out of the FEB. Lake Okeechobee, has an effective treatment area of 118 acres and
• Based on the review of available stage, flow, and water quality is predicted to remove up to two metric tons of TP from the Taylor
data, the FEB has operated as intended and performed in a Creek drainage basin per year.
manner consistent with its design objectives. • The project reduced TP load by 59% during Water Year 2018.
• Although it was not designed to be a water quality treatment
facility, it retained 89% of inflow TP load (equivalent to Nubbin Slough STA
47.2 metric tons). The second pilot-scale STA located north of Lake Okeechobee,
• Hurricane Irma passed to the south of this FEB causing which will treat runoff from Nubbin Slough, is designed for an
erosion to approximately 3 miles along the interior toe of annual average TP load reduction of 3 to 5 metric tons per year.
the northern perimeter levee, and minor erosion to two • Water Year 2018 was the first full 12-month period of
boat ramps. Repair of the boat ramps was completed in fall operation for this STA. There were times when flows or stages
2017. The repairs due to erosion damage are scheduled to be in the STA were insufficient to operate the S-385 inflow
completed by October 2019. pump for a long enough duration to keep the treatment cells
from drying out. Also, during WY2018, similar to WY2017,
Bolles East (L-16) Canal Conveyance Improvement stage restrictions were in place in Cell 2 due to structural
This project will increase the conveyance of water between the deficiencies in the levees.
Hillsboro and North New River canals to improve the efficiency
of the Everglades STAs and help reduce flooding and improve Lakeside Ranch STA
irrigation water supply for adjacent farmlands. Located in western Martin County on lands adjacent to Lake
• Substantial completion for Segments 1 and 2 occurred on Okeechobee, this STA currently has an effective treatment area of
April 9, 2017. 919 acres.
• By the end of the water year, Segment 3 was approximately • Phase I had a net TP load export of 0.9 metric tons. Aside
57% complete and is expected to be completed in 2019. from dryout and poor vegetation condition, the factors
contributing to the phosphorus export need to be
Non-Everglades Construction Project (Non-ECP) investigated. Ongoing vegetation management activities
The components of this project are all water control structures in existing cells and operation of Phase II are expected to
associated with the Everglades Protection Area that are not improve treatment performance.
associated with the Everglades STAs. • Phase II of the project is under construction and anticipated
• Construction at S-34 and S-141, which started in January to be completed in Water Year 2019. Under Phase II,
2017, was substantially complete on February 1, 2019; final construction of the southern STA was completed in 2018;
completion is expected in early April 2019. S-140 pump construction of the S-191A pump station began on October
station improvement started in January 2017 and is expected 1, 2018, and is expected to be finished in March 2020.
to be completed in May 2019.
• Because of the high water levels in the WCAs, operation of the FLORIDA BAY
Non-ECP and S-197 structures were temporarily modified and SFWMD initiated implementation of an innovative plan to deliver
remedial management strategies to redress the emergency additional fresh water to Florida Bay, an immediate action to
were authorized. help reduce salinity levels in the bay and promote recovery of
seagrasses. Operational improvements increase flow of fresh water
Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program directly into Taylor Slough in Everglades National Park, a major
(NEEPP) Progress source of fresh water for the bay. Additional water reaching the bay
during both dry and wet seasons meets stringent water quality
Lake Hicpochee Hydrologic Enhancement standards.
Located in the East Caloosahatchee Basin, Phase I of the project
will provide shallow water storage, rehydrate a portion of the lake A comprehensive ecological and water quality monitoring plan
bed to promote habitat restoration, provide storage, and increase was initiated to evaluate the Florida Bay project and the effects
capacity for ancillary water quality enhancements. of increased flow. Water samples are collected both from the
• Construction commenced in April 2017. Levee construction neighboring canals and from marsh locations. These samples
was 95% complete and pump station construction was 60% are processed for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic
complete at the end of Water Year 2018. Construction is carbon, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfate,
expected to be completed by spring 2019. and alkalinity. Periphyton and macrophyte samples will also be
analyzed for total carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus.
Rolling Meadows Restoration Project Analyses of this data will be reported in the 2020 South Florida
This project will restore the natural habitat by establishing Environmental Report.
connectivity to Lake Hatchineha and by the diversion of some of
the flows from Catfish Creek into the parcel.
• Operations were initiated just prior to the water year and the
project has performed as designed.
 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 15

Restoration Project Map.

 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 16

EAA STORAGE RESERVOIR PROJECT FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN

Approved in May, 2017, the Water Resources Law of 2017 (Laws Over the next five years, SFWMD estimates spending $2.3 billion
of Florida, Chapter 2017-10, Senate Bill 10) directs the expedited on projects contained in its Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan.
design and construction of a water storage reservoir in the EAA The plan reflects ongoing commitments to District Governing
to provide for a significant increase in water storage south of Lake Board priorities for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 through Fiscal Year 2022-
Okeechobee to reduce harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee 2023, including an estimated $1.9 billion for restoration projects
and St. Lucie estuaries. The law requires the District to meet certain in support of Governor DeSantis’ vision for restoration with $360
timelines for implementing the project. million per year. The five-year plan includes funding dedicated
by the Governor to build the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA)
In March 2018, the SFWMD Governing Board approved a plan for Reservoir Stormwater Treatment area and canal conveyance
the EAA Storage Reservoir to be sent to the Assistant Secretary of components as part of Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP)
the Army for Civil Works for federal review, approval and submittal New Water, C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir and completion of
to the United States Congress. The EAA Storage Reservoir was C-44 STA.
authorized by Congress with passage of the America's Water
Infrastructure Act of 2018 and signed into law by President Donald The remaining funds address agency priorities related to flood
Trump in October 2018. control and water supply throughout the water management
system. The Fiscal Year 2018-2019 adopted budget included a
On January 10, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive planned capital improvements project budget of $391 million.
Order 19-12, implementing major reforms to ensure the protection Based on the revised estimated project schedules, the District’s
of Florida’s environment. The order calls for achieving more now Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan was adjusted to a total of $328
for Florida’s environment, seeking $2.5 billion over the next four million for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The difference of $63 million is
years for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources largely attributed to Everglades Restoration projects multi-year
(the highest level of funding for restoration in Florida’s history) cash flow requirements.
and instruction to the South Florida Water Management District to
immediately start the next phase of the Storage Reservoir Project CONSOLIDATED PROJECT REPORT DATABASE
design and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves the The online SFER Consolidated Project Report Database at
project according to schedule. www.sfwmd.gov/sfer provides rapid data sorting, searches and
Follow the District's progress at Everglades Agricultural Area retrieval for comprehensive updates on many projects referenced
Reservoir Project Tracker (https://sfwmd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ in the 2019 SFER.
MapSeries/index.html?appid=4d9807e424894aec9e9c1f74d323f17e).
The complete 2019 South Florida Environmental Report is available
online at www.sfwmd.gov/sfer.

What is phosphorus?
Although phosphorus is a vital nutrient in all natural systems, it is also a fertilizer component. It flows across the landscape in stormwater runoff (urban and agricultural), harming
natural areas by promoting algae growth and an overabundance of non-native plants, crowding out natural vegetation and disrupting food sources and habitats used by native
wildlife. The Everglades is naturally a low-nutrient system. Even small amounts of additional nutrients can upset the ecological balance needed by the native plants and animals in
the historic “River of Grass.” Phosphorus is normally recorded in micrograms per liter (μg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). In this document, total phosphorus (TP) is used to denote
measurement when monitoring phosphorus found in water bodies or as it relates to inflows and outflows of water. Phosphorus is used when referencing all other aspects of the
nutrient in general terms.

What is an STA?
Stormwater treatment areas (STAs) are large, constructed wetlands with inflow and outflow structures for controlling water movement. Aquatic plants in the STAs remove and
store excess nutrients (phosphorus) found in the stormwater runoff through growth and the accumulation of dead plant material in the layers of sediment. This natural process
cleanses the water before it is moved out of the STA and into the Everglades or other water bodies.

What is an FEB?
Flow equalization basins (FEBs) are constructed impoundments designed to capture stormwater runoff and provide a steadier flow of water to the STAs, helping to maintain
desired water levels needed to achieve optimal water quality improvement performance and prevent dry out, which can be extremely damaging to STA vegetation.

How much is an acre-foot?

An acre-foot is the volume needed to cover 1 acre of land with 1 foot, or 325,851 gallons, of water.

South Florida Water Management District

3301 Gun Club Road • West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
561-686-8800 • 800-432-2045 • www.sfwmd.gov