A project aimed at restoring the Weeki Wachee headsprings and river is moving into its second phase.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s project involves removing sediment and re-planting native aquatic plants to improve the water quality and habitat within the headsprings and river.
The Weeki Wachee headspring and the upper reaches of the river have an accumulation of sand, silt, muck and litter in the headspring, which also spreads downstream. Excessive growth of nuisance algae and plants is taking the place of desirable native plants. Factors that have contributed to these problems include untreated stormwater runoff and fertilizers seeping directly into the main spring, the excessive growth of nuisance plants, and erosion.
The first phase involved studying the problem and determining the amount of sediment and debris that needs to be removed. There is an estimated 1,087 cubic yards of uncompressed Lyngbya in the headspring and approximately 5,000 cubic yards of uncompressed sediment and organic material in the upper river run and portions of the water attraction known as Buccaneer Bay beach area. Lyngbya is a type of filamentous blue-green algae that forms brownish, floating clumps.
This phase of the project involves coordinating with permitting agencies to determine regulatory requirements associated with sediment removal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will review the plan for the portion of the river that includes Buccaneer Bay during this phase.
The final phase of the project will involve removing the sediment and other organic material and disposing it on District land off C.R. 550. Native aquatic vegetation will then be planted within the river. This phase is expected to begin in 2007 during the summer.
The District’s Coastal Rivers Basin Board is funding this phase of the project, which is expected to cost approximately $237,564.