Purpose of the project: Restoration, Reduce sedimentation, increase water quantity, reduce nutrients and fecal coliform, increase the riparian buffer, and connectivity. The initial project that was nominated a Waters to Watch in 2013 where 1.9 miles of stream bank was enhanced and protected through the removal of livestock from the river, restoration of eroded streambanks, riparian zone planting, and the replacement of a perched culvert. These actions together reduced sedimentation and direct trampling and nutrient inputs to sensitive shoal bass spawning habitat and critical habitat for federally listed mussels.
Purpose of the project:
Restoration, Reduce sedimentation, increase water quantity, reduce nutrients and fecal coliform, increase the riparian buffer, and connectivity. The initial project that was nominated a Waters to Watch in 2013 where 1.9 miles of stream bank was enhanced and protected through the removal of livestock from the river, restoration of eroded streambanks, riparian zone planting, and the replacement of a perched culvert. These actions together reduced sedimentation and direct trampling and nutrient inputs to sensitive shoal bass spawning habitat and critical habitat for federally listed mussels. The Chipola River restoration project was funded through a diverse number of sources including NFHP funding, which was matched with funding secured from NFWF, FWC, NRCS, and the landowner. Not only did this project provide a much needed ecological lift for this portion of the river, but it also brought together partners that continue to work together to increase their collective conservation footprint.
Since completion of the initial project, existing and new partners have continued to work across the Chipola River basin to improve aquatic systems through watershed-scale actions. Partners working toward the common goal of improving aquatic conditions in the Chipola River basin include: University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS), Northwest Florida’s Water Management District (NWFL WMD), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Florida’s Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), United States Forest Service (USFS) and numerous landowners across the geography. Collectively, partners have implemented best management practices across 13,777 acres of agricultural lands in the Chipola. These efforts resulted in over 74 acres of riparian habitat have been protected, 2.5 miles of stream bank enhanced, 4.8 miles of fencing installed 1 barrier removed, 3 low water crossings installed and 153,557,283 gallons of water conserved.
These efforts have continued to foster existing partnerships and develop new partnerships leading to many funding partners contributing to the larger goal. These funds primarily support on the ground restoration projects but also supports a coordinator that works across the basin to connect these efforts together and build capacity working among our partners.
Human Interest/Community Benefit:
The Chipola River is a popular river frequented by locals and tourists as the spring-fed system remains cool refugia during the summer months. Working with landowners to fence out cattle from the river and reduce sedimentation has increased the overall enjoyment by seeing clearer waters and not having to maneuver around livestock in the river. Additional upland work has focused on reducing nutrient leaching into the groundwater through water conservation measures on agricultural lands. The Chipola River is characteristically karst with multiple springs throughout the system with many of these spring systems becoming popular recreational areas. Many of these spring systems had to be closed during portions of the summer due to algal blooms, which was attributed to increases in nutrients. These efforts undertaken by our partners and aligned with much of our work has resulted in significant reductions in nutrient concentrations in many of these systems, which has allowed continual enjoyment of these recreational areas by the public and increased survival of aquatic biota dependent on healthy systems.
Project Timeline:
Initially finished in 2015. Continual work is ongoing with funding for specific practices secured until 2021.
Partners:
University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS), Northwest Florida’s Water Management District (NWFL WMD), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Florida’s Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), United States Forest Service (USFS) and numerous landowners across the geography
Video: