Alligator Lake Coastal Dune Lake Hydrologic Restoration
Implementing Organization
State of Florida
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$1,382,400
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees (NRDA)
Funding Program
Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRDA
Details
Project Category
Environmental
Project Actions
Water Quality Restoration and Maintenance
Targeted Resources
Wetlands/Marshes/Estuaries
Project Description
The project reduced pollution and hydrologic degradation to coastal waters within the Choctawhatchee Bay Watershed by removing culverts under County Road 30A that were deteriorating and/or in disrepair, acting as barriers separating the north and south portions of Alligator Lake rather than allowing the exchange of fresh and Gulf waters. The culverts acted as barriers to fish and wildlife and reduced water and sediment exchange. A bridge was constructed across Alligator Lake to help restore tidal exchange and remove barriers to fish and wildlife movements. Specifically, the project included: • Construction of a spanning bridge across Alligator Lake to replace culverts that were deteriorating and/or in disrepair; • Continued water quality sampling under an existing monitoring program. The project helped to restore the connection and circulation of the lake and improved the lake community and adjacent ecosystems, improved water quality in the lake, and enhanced fish and wildlife habitat. The project directly improved water quality in watersheds injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by restoring hydrologic connections between the coastal and freshwater portions of Alligator Lake and enhancing coastal habitats. By replacing culverts in disrepair with a bridge, hydrologic connectivity was restored, resulting in improved water quality, water flows, and subsequent benefits to fish and wildlife. The project developed and implemented management actions to improve water quality in Alligator Lake and the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed by removing physical barriers from the lake. Long-term benefits to the resources and their services inj...click on "More Info" link below
Contact
Pearce Barrett(850) 245-2106
pearce.barrett@floridadep.gov
Project Website
None
For official trustee information regarding the Deepwater Horizon NRDA, including information regarding the NRDA process and the status of projects, see https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/