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5-2
16 Graphic representation of the range of salinity zones
overlaid on a typical tidal creek system entering a
higher salinity habitat.
5-3
17 Graphic representation of salinity zones around a
submerged artesian well in a marine environment.
5-4
18 Graphic showing location of seagrass bed in estuary 5-5
19 Graphic showing stationary habitat (seagrass
meadow) with dynamic habitat (freshwater inflow)
overlay and resulting seagrass/ salinity zones under
normal flow conditions.
5-6
Table of Contents
Freshwater Flow and Ecological Relationships in Biscayne Bay iv
TABLES DESCRIPTION
ES-1 Comparison of Relative Strength of Scientific Support for
the Different MFL Approaches for each Sub-region
ES-3
1 Other MFL Projects in Estuarine Waters in Florida 1-5
2 Marine and Estuarine Species that are State-listed and/or
Federally-listed Species and which are known to occur in
Biscayne Bay and/or Adjacent Areas
4-9 thru
4-11
3a Salinity and Habitat Requirements for Potential Vegetative
Indicator Species
4-43
3b Salinity and Habitat Requirements of Potential Faunal
Indicator Species
4-44 thru
4-46
4 Potential Indicator Species for Freshwater MFLs
Establishment in Biscayne Bay
5-10 thru
5-11
5 Comparison of Different MFL Approaches for each Subregion
5-16
6 Comparison of Relative Strength of Scientific Support for
the Different MFL Approaches for each Sub-region
6-2
APPENDICES DESCRIPTION
A Task 2 Report – Literature and Data Review
B Task 3 Report – Interviews with Experts
C Life History Figures of Selected Species
D Tables of Bio-indicator Ranking Matrix by Subregions
E Tables of Advantages & Disadvantages of
Different MFL Approaches by Sub-regions
Executive Summary
Freshwater Flow and Ecological Relationships in Biscayne Bay ES-1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of Florida has adopted regulations, which require that Water
Management Districts identify priority water bodies, establish Minimum Flows
and Levels (MFLs) rules for these water bodies and implement these MFLs
through water shortage plans and/or the water use permitting process.
Specifically, Biscayne Bay has been identified as a priority water body in which
an MFL rule is to be developed by the South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD or the District) by December 2004.
As one component of the effort to develop an MFL rule for Biscayne Bay, the
SFWMD issued a work order to undertake a study entitled, Freshwater Flow and
Ecological Relationships in Biscayne Bay. SFWMD entered into an agreement
(Contract No. C-15967-WO04-06) with the consultant team of Barnes, Ferland
and Associates, Applied Technology Management, Inc. and Lewis
Environmental Services, Inc. to conduct a variety of activities which will assist
the District in developing the MFL rule for Biscayne Bay.
The work conducted by the project team involves the following five tasks:
1) Developing a Project Work Plan
2) Conducting a Literature Search and Data Review
3) Contacting and Interviewing Experts
4) Evaluating Alternative Approaches for District MFL Development
5) Addressing/summarizing Information and Information Needs
Tasks 1-4 have been completed and the resulting deliverables for each task were
transmitted to the District for review and comment. Questions raised by the
District have been addressed, and the Appendices to this report contain the final
deliverables for each Task. This document, the Task 5 report, builds on the
results of the previous tasks and also includes summaries of pertinent portions of
the previously completed tasks.
This project has sought to establish a scientific connection between various
methods to establish MFLs for Biscayne Bay, and indicators of conditions in the
Bay. The recommended over-all process has been to apply numerical rankings to
potential indicator species and potential MFL approaches in order to determine
the most appropriate approach for each of six sub-regions of the Bay. This is
necessary due to the Bay being a large heterogeneous ecosystem that has
undergone major anthropogenic changes in the last 100 years. Each of the six
identified sub-regions has unique characteristics that demand unique treatment
regarding necessary freshwater flows to either maintain existing conditions, or
Executive Summary
Freshwater Flow and Ecological Relationships in Biscayne Bay ES-2
restore some semblance of historical conditions to allow for a particular
ecological function to exist at some level that is acceptable to water managers,
citizens and scientists.
Table ES-1 shows the highest rated (and therefore recommended) approach(es)
for each sub-region, as summarized below:
Oleta River/Snake Creek: The recommended approach (Indicator Species)
rated highest at 22 with a range of values from 6-22; the indicator species being
the American oyster, West Indian Manatee and Johnson's seagrass.
Northern Biscayne Bay: The recommended approach (Indicator Species) rated
highest at 22 with a range of values from 6-22; the indicator species being the
spotted seatrout and manatee grass.