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DURATION
Lake Munson Drawdown will occur from
October 18, 2010 through June 14, 2011.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
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Lake Munson was originally a cypress swamp and impounded for mill operations. |
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Stabilized water levels and luxurious plant growth, especially water hyacinths, began the muck build-up process. |
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Numerous fish kills occurred and active hyacinth spraying dominated work in the 1970’s. |
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Hydrilla was introduced in the 1980’s creating a topped out, weed-choked lake. |
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Leon County began the Lake Henrietta resurrection, Munson Slough re-alignment, and Delta removal during a planned complete drawdown in 1999-2000. |
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Upon refill, a strong fishery response resulted in high numbers of largemouth bass being produced. |
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The return of hydrilla, prompted Florida Department of Environmental Protection to implement noxious aquatic plant treatments. |
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The exotic Island apple snail infested the lake and contributed to the massive reduction of submersed aquatic plants. |
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Released nutrients allowed for extremely high densities of blue-green algae to flourish. |
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Muck depth bathymetry and sediment analysis funded by
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
revealed muck depths up to 8 feet thick. |
BENEFITS OF THE DRAWDOWN PROCESS
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Improved water quality. |
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Improved fish spawning substrate. |
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Lake bottom compaction and oxidation. |
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Stimulate healthy aquatic plant growth. |
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Improved esthetics. |
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Cypress tree roots rejuvenation. |
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Relatively inexpensive. |
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Can be repeated as needed. |
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Muck removal is probably no longer an option until water quality
from Munson Slough improves substantially. |
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Muck removal is very costly while the Drawdown process is not as
expensive |
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The best environmental improvement to the lake was when Leon County
implemented an extreme drawdown during the 2000 delta removal. |
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A trophy bass fishery can develop in Lake Munson with bass over 10
pounds common. |
CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
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Follow Total Maximum Daily Load U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency/Florida Department of Environmental Protection guidelines to drastically reduce
phosphorus and nitrogen levels. |
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Conduct another extreme drawdown, like the 2000 event. |
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Plant emergent plants at locations along the cypress fringe
(bulrush, pickerel weed, duck potato, etc.). |
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Conduct regularly scheduled drawdowns, perhaps every 5-10 years and during the
cooler months. |
PHOTOS FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 AT OAKRIDGE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
CONTACTS:
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Questions regarding Fish and
Wildlife,
please contact: |
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Christopher J. Paxton,
Regional Fisheries Administrator
Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management
Northwest Regional Office
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
3911 Hwy 2321 Panama City, FL 32409
Email: chris.paxton@MyFWC.com
Voice: (850) 265-3676
Cell: (850) 596-1375
Fax: (850) 747-5690
Web Site:
www.MyFWC.com
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Questions regarding Water Quality
Sampling and Testing, please contact: |
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Johnny Richardson, Water
Resource Scientist
Leon County Department of Public Works
2280 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Email: RichardsonJo@leoncountyfl.gov
Phone: (850) 606-1541
Fax: (850) 606-1501
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Questions regarding Drawdown Control
and Hydraulics, please contact: |
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Felton Ard, P.E., Senior
Design Engineer
Leon County Department of Public Works
2280 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Email: ArdF@leoncountyfl.gov
Phone: (850) 606-1515
Fax: (850) 606-1501 |
Click here to download
PowerPoint Presentation on 2010 Lake Munson Drawdown
or
PDF File on 2010 Lake Munson Drawdown
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Leon County Home Page
