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Article - Marsh making a comeback
C1 Project Update Article - Streamlines SJRWMD June 2006
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C1 REDIVERSION PROJECT UPDATE (August 01, 2009)
SJRWMD (St. Johns River Water Management
District) has had several meetings with the FOTC (Friends of Turkey Creek) the City of Palm Bay, and MTWCD (Melbourne Tillman
Water Control District) about the C-1 Rediversion Project and what they expect to accomplish from it. These meetings
were to inform everyone of the details of the plan and how it will divert up to 68% of the water, now draining from the C1
canal into the Indian River Lagoon, westward toward the St. Johns River. The benefits of this project are mostly related to
restoring the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America. There are also other benefits to areas
like the Turkey Creek Sanctuary and Turkey Creek itself. When this project is completed, the diversion of this water
will reduce excessive stormwater flows into Turkey Creek while maintaining a base flow for the environmental health of Turkey
Creek. As part of Phase I of this plan, SJRWMD has agreed to convert all the gates in the MS1 water retention structure
to top flowing overflow gates at the request of the FOTC. This should significantly reduce the amount of sediments and
contaminants that are now coming into Turkey Creek from the present gates which open from the bottom and let out a significant
amount of sediments that clog Turkey Creek and contributes to the degradation of the Indian River Lagoon. SJRWMD has shown in detail how this plan will in no way increase the flooding conditions in Palm Bay which
have occurred in some areas during major storms due to local drainage problems. They have also made it clear that this
plan was not intended to fix those local drainage problems. The FOTC advisory board feels this plan is good for the
residence of Turkey Creek as well as the Indian River Lagoon. We ask you to support this effort.
If all goes well,
this plan will start construction during 2010 with completion of Phase I some time in 2011. Once Phase I is completed,
a plan and timetable for Phase II will be established.
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The Problem
Drainage into Turkey Creek in south Brevard County has continually increased over past decades and has continually
degraded water quality, habitat and the fisheries in both Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary
in North America. The increasing amounts of fresh water alone are considered a contaminant for the India River Lagoon,
which is a salt water estuary. The continual increasing amounts of water are bringing with it other contaminants along
with sediment and muck causing a need for a massive restoration effort. This Drainage comes from the 100 square mile
area known as the MTWCD (Melbourne Tillman Water Control District) which includes both Palm Bay and West Melbourne as well
as unincorporated Brevard County. The MTWCD is drained via many canals and all these canals drain into the C1 canal
that drains into Turkey Creek, which in turn drains into the Indian River Lagoon.
The Solution (See Map for location of referenced areas)
The SJRWMD (St. Johns River Water Management District), in partnership with the MTWCD, is re-diverting much
of the C1 drainage into the western portion of the MTWCD known as the C1 Retention Area and then pumping the stored storm
water through the SLWMA (Sawgrass Lakes Water Management Area) treatment wetland prior to discharge to the St. Johns River.
This part of the plan is known as Phase I. SJRWMD has built the two pump stations that will be used to pump water
into the SLWMA. The treatment wetland will provide the filtration needed to remove pollutants and improve water quality.
The treated water from SLWMA will then drain via a series of riser and gated culvert to the St. Johns River. This
phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2011. Phase II of the plan consist of putting another
pump into a canal west of the C10 canal that will pump water into a reservoir to be constructed just north of the Three Forks
Marsh Conservation Area. The overflow from this reservoir will flow through a proposed spillway into the Three Forks
Marsh Conservation Area and then exit this area via an existing spillway into the St. Johns River. Provisions
will also be made so that water from the reservoir can flow into the C1 Retention Area during dry periods to keep the treatment
wetland hydrated. A final plan and timtable for Phase II will be established after the completion of Phase I.
The Benefits
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Improve lagoon water quality, leading to increases in seagrass
coverage and an enhanced recreational fishery
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Decrease soils and nutrients draining into Turkey Creek and the
lagoon
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Reduce the severe erosion of Turkey Creek’s shoreline
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Maintain flood protection
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Reduce rapid drops in lagoon salinity levels
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Protect a valuable commercial hard clam industry
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Provide public recreational
opportunities
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