Special SWAMP Projects

 

Section 205(j)(1)-604(b) funds also provide for the initiation of special monitoring projects. These are problem-specific or waterbody-specific monitoring programs. For the past four years, funds have been provided to the Suwannee River Water Management District, to obtain water chemistry data from springs within their district. This is critical background data needed to evaluate the impact of agricultural and dairy practices on the Suwannee River and estuary. High nitrate levels have been found in ground water wells on agricultural lands near the river and in springs. The basin is an area of extensive karst topography and subject to the transfer of pollutants between ground water and surface water.

A second spring sampling project was initiated and completed in 1994 with the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD). This project provided for an inventory of water quality of springs located within northwest Florida. Many springs are located in karst areas of the panhandle where there are also intensive agricultural activities and the potential exists for the same problems as in the Suwannee basin.

A third contract was executed with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to provide two years of water quality monitoring for Florida Bay. Water quality data were collected by Florida International University for the southwest Florida shelf. These data were needed to better define nutrient inputs into the Florida Bay.