Alligator Creek Stream Restoration: From Headwaters to Tidal Influence
Amanda C. Boone, PE
John Kiefer, PhD, PE, SrPWS
Sarasota County Public Works, Stormwater Environment Utility
Sarasota County, FL
Authors: John Kiefer, PhD, PE, SrPWS and Amanda C. Boone, PE
Alligator Creek is a former upper tidal strand and freshwater creek that was severely entrenched as a canal servicing a regional drainage program prior to the early 1940s. It now functions as a straightened and geomorphically homogeneous tidal creek impaired for nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, bacteria, and chlorophyll that runs through the heart of South Venice leading to Sarasota County’s only aquatic preserve, Lemon Bay. This project includes the design, permitting, and future construction of approximately 1.5 miles of the Alligator Creek corridor from US41 to Venice East Blvd intended to address an "Impaired Water" and its associated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nutrients.
The project area is divided into six functional process zones and seven lateral process zones. Within each of these process zones, one or more of the following techniques will be employed: freshwater lake restoration, freshwater creek restoration, step-pool establishment, freshwater wetland restoration, upper tidal strand restoration, mangrove restoration, tidal creek restoration, upland enhancement, fish habitat establishment, sediment management, and water quality management. Objectives are to reduce downstream nutrient load to Lemon Bay, prevent further erosion, reduced maintenance costs, assure continuity of sediment transport, improve maximum acreage of native aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and enhanced recreation. The project will also consider fish habitat improvement, exotics removal, and design of exclusion devices for impedance of water hyacinth, hydrilla, trash, and debris.
Alligator Creek is a unique system offering the opportunities to restore both saltwater and freshwater habitats. The public within the watershed is engaged and excited about the project's benefits to their watershed. Improvements to water quality and coastal resiliency through stream restoration is a relatively new technique in Florida, and Sarasota County is excited to be one of the pioneers in this innovative best management practice technique.
About Amanda C. Boone, PE
Amanda Boone currently serves as the Stormwater Senior Manager for Sarasota County. Amanda is a Professional Engineer with a Master’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. Her experience over the last 20 years has spanned both private sector and public sector in Florida and North Carolina. While her expertise is primarily focused on stormwater quantity and quality management, she also has experience with erosion control; stream and wetland restoration; and water and sewer utilities. She utilizes her diverse background to approach projects holistically and bring together the right team.
About John Kiefer, PhD, PE, SrPWS
John Kiefer is a Professional Engineer with a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida, serving clients as Wood’s National Stream Restoration Practice Lead. John specializes in Florida stream assessment and restoration design. He led significant original research regarding the fluvial geomorphology of Florida streams essential to their biophysical integrity and has written two design guidance manuals on the subject. His work over the past 3 decades has improved stream resiliency (stability, hydrology, biodiversity and water quality) in a wide variety of Florida settings including wilderness, surface mines, and the urban core.