Using an Integrated Delivery Approach with Stream and Floodplain Restoration as a Tool to Improve Water Quality in a Eutrophic Central Florida Basin
Mary Szafraniec, PhD, PWS
RES
Tampa, Florida
The Heartland Region in Central Florida includes some of the of the fastest growing areas in Florida. In addition to being highly desirable for new residents, it remains a place rich in resources and the location of the headwaters of the Peace River. Continued growth and land use changes in the area have weighed heavily on the region’s natural resources, water resources, both groundwater and surface water. The region is now included as a Water Resource Caution Area for water supply and has over 50 U.S. EPA designated impaired water bodies for poor water quality, of which several have received TMDL limits for contaminants. Recognizing the “heavy lift” placed on the region to provide solutions to reduce nutrients and other pollutants in the regional surface water system within the impaired watersheds of the Peace Creek and Saddle Creek, RES developed a concept plan with Polk County through a public-private partnership (P3) for an integrated delivery (turnkey) water quality restoration project that includes stream, wetland, and floodplain restoration to improve water quality, conservation, water supply and groundwater recharge opportunities, enhance and preserve the natural system and improve resiliency and sustainability for the region.
The project will provide sheet flow across a restored, vegetated floodplain when stream conditions in the project area exceed bank full. The sheet flow across the restored vegetated areas allows the natural system to remove excess phosphorus and nitrogen from the water column prior to being returned through the natural water cycle via recharge, seepage, and evapotranspiration. The reduction of nutrient loading in the system will ultimately support improved conditions downstream in the Charlotte Harbor estuary. Our proposed approach for this full delivery pay-for-performance restoration model where we will monitor and maintain a self-sustaining watershed scale stream restoration project will return a more appropriate cross section and profile to the channel, stabilize streambanks, encourage more out of bank flows into the restored floodplain, significantly improve the range of aquatic habitat through the introduction of large wood into the system, and optimize biogeochemical conditions to induce processes that improve water quality and reduce nutrient contributions through stream restoration activities.
About Mary Szafraniec, PhD, PWS
Dr. Mary Szafraniec has spent 20+ years in the water quality and ecological restoration space working for state and local governments in Florida and nationally. She worked as an ecological engineer/scientist and business development lead for water quality at WSP prior to joining RES. She is currently the Director of Water Quality Initiatives at RES and is part of the National Strategic Operations Team. She has an extensive ecological and water quality assessment and restoration background, which she acquired from her studies and independent research at the University of South Florida (Bachelor of Biology), and the University of Florida (Master’s and Doctorate of Environmental Engineering Science). During her consulting run she conducted research to advance concepts in sediment biogeochemistry, nutrient source tracking, and groundwater connectivity with the goal of optimizing stream, wetland, estuarine and lake restoration project performance. Her prescriptions for restoration are rooted in ecological engineering concepts that focus on resilient nature-based solutions.