Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration - FSA Presentation

Sweetwater Branch / Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration: An Innovative Integrated Water Resources Projectj

June 13, 2014

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Project Location


Presentation Outline

• History

• Project Background & DriversProject Background & Drivers

• Design Concepts

• Park Facilities

• Project PartnersProject Partners

• Public Relations

• Permitting

• Construction Photos


• Conclusion

History• 1800s (Cattle Ranch)• 1930s: SWB channeled

directly to Alachua Sinkdirectly to Alachua Sink• 1,300 acres of wetlands

impacted.• Direct flow path from Gainesville• Direct flow path from Gainesville

to Alachua Sink

• 1930s: Portion of Prairie Creek flow diverted away from Payne’s Prairie

• Urbanization of Gainesville• Urbanization of Gainesville• Stormwater runoff• Trash & sediment• WW Effluent (1 to 7 MGD)

Septic Tanks


• Septic Tanks• WQ Currently (TN- 5-8; TP – 1

mg/L)

Project Background

1971 - Payne’s Prairie became Florida’s 1st state Preserve1 state Preserve

…getting it right can take time

– 1972 – Dr. Larry White proposed studying effect of wastewater treatment effluenteffect of wastewater treatment effluent disposal on Payne’s Prairie1975-2004 – Lot more studies!– 1975-2004 – Lot more studies!

– 2004 – Watershed Management Plan2009 Preliminary Design


– 2009 – Preliminary DesignOctober 2012 – Construction Started

Project Background

•2004 Sweetwater Branch

Watershed Management PlanWatershed Management Plan

•WMP Tasks

• CharacterizationCharacterization

• Topography

• H&H Modelingg

• BMP Recommendations


Project BackgroundProject Drivers:

Alachua Sink TMDLAlachua Sink TMDL

TN and TP load d tireduction

Park Management Plan


Project Background


Design Considerations• WQ Improvement

• Goal TN < 3 and TP < 0.3mg/L

• Public Access

• Heritage Trees • Estimated 124,000 lb/yr TN and 2,900 lb/yr TP removal

• Sediment Loads – 1700 CY/yr

• O&M

• Sediment Loads 1700 CY/yr

• Trash

• Peak Flows • Mean daily; 25 cfs

• Peak hourly;(2,385 cfs recorded!)

• Wetland Impacts

•Number, Size, and Location of Cells


•Cut and Fill Balance

Project Site Plan


Project Site Cut Fill Balance


Environmental BenefitsWater Quality Benefits• Exceeds total N TMDL• Achieves background total

N and P on Prairie• Removes suspendedRemoves suspended

sediment loads from Prairie

Hydrologic RestorationHydrologic Restoration Benefits• Restores Sweetwater

fBranch sheetflow to about 1,300 acres

• Reduces current water


deficit on Prairie

Environmental Benefits (cont.)

•Wetland Restoration- Backfills 2 miles of Sweetwater Branch Canal

- Restores sheetflow in these wetland areasRestores sheetflow in these wetland areas

• Wetland Creation- Creates 125 acres of high-quality emergent marsh

- Aquatic habitat in distribution channels

• Regional Showcase


Project Partners

• FDEP- Parks, TMDL grants, Greenways & Trails• St Johns River Water Management District• St. Johns River Water Management District• Florida Department of Transportation• US EPAUS EPA• Alachua County • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Over $5.7 M in grants


Public Relations

Project Video C bl A Ch l– Cable Access Channel

– Audubon, Sierra Club, F i d f P P i i– Friends of Paynes Prairie

Public Meetings– City Commission– Design Workshops

Neighborhood Representative

Newspaper Articles & Utility Flyer


p p y y Project Website(s)

Public Relations


www cityofgainesville org/ppsClick to edit section Click to edit section Click to edit section17

www.cityofgainesville.org/pps

Environmental Permitting


Permitting & Reviewing Agencies

• SJRWMD• Alachua CountyAlachua County

• Environmental Protection• Public Works

G th M t• Growth Management• Alachua County Forever

• Florida Department of HealthFlorida Department of Health• US Army Corps of Engineers• GRU• GRU • FDEP• Florida Bureau of Historic Resources


• Florida Bureau of Historic Resources

Permitting Issues - Example

Minimize Wetland Impacts On Site

Minimize Impact to H it T d

Minimize Wetland Impacts by

Heritage Trees and Uplands

p yChanging Site


Project Site Plan


Park Facilities


Park Facilities

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Future Park Facilities


Project Site May 20, 2014


Project Site June 2, 2014


Project Site June 2014


SummaryWater Quality Benefits• Exceeds total N TMDL

124,000 lb TN/ yr$21/ lb per year

• Achieves background total• Achieves background total N and P on Prairie

• Removes 1700 CY/ yrdi t l dsediment loads

Hydrologic Restoration Benefits• Restores Sweetwater

Branch sheetflow to 1,300 acres


acres• Reduces current water

deficit on Prairie
