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The Killearn Lakes Plantation Restoration: Clean Lakes Project
The residents of Killearn Lakes Plantation are fortunate to have their lakes selected as recipients of a grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District Florida Forever Grant. This grant supports management efforts to improve water quality by implementing stormwater improvements, restore natural systems and demonstrate best management practices (BMP). Within the Killearn Chain of Lakes, Lake Blue Heron has been selected as a pilot project where a variety of BMPs will be utilized to improve the water quality for all to enjoy. In addition to the activities at Lake Blue Heron, the Clean Lakes Project plans on:
- Demonstration Rain Gardens;
- Opportunities for Residents to participate and benefit from Florida Friendly Yard BMPs;
- Raise the level of awareness of how each individual can make a difference in the overall water quality of their waterways.
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This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn, enjoy, participate and improve our neighborhood, local lakes and watershed. Let's take advantage of this and have some fun!
Clean Lakes Project Objectives:
- Improve the stormwater treatment capabilities of Killearn Lake Plantation lakes that flow into Lake Iamonia.
- Assess the results of lake restoration activities.
- Determine the need, feasibility (economic and aesthetic) for additional restoration activities and nonpoint source pollution best management practices installation.
- Prepare documentation of the restoration efforts that can be used to assess the applicability of these techniques in other watersheds
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Major Components of Project:
Control Structure Retrofit
The control structures between the lakes will be upgraded and optimized for sediment and nutrient removal.
Sediment Removal
Sediments will be removed from Lake Blue Heron (draining will occur prior to sediment removal. It is hoped that the sediments will be used to create an island wildlife sanctuary within Lake Blue Heron, and for berm construction. The remainder of sediments or "muck" will be disposed of in a proximal and suitable site. Subsequent to the sediment removal, these lakes will be replanted and maintained as naturally vegetated Florida lakes. Beneficial aquatic plants and shoreline buffers will be planted in and around the lake.
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Artificial Marsh and Buffer Zones
Artificial Marshes will be constructed to remove nutrients and sediment as the water flows from lake to lake to Lake Iamonia. Shoreline buffers will be planted around Lake Blue Heron. The first phase of aquatic plantings will focus on continuous blooming emergent aquatic plants as a means of easing homeowner acceptability of aquatic plants around and in their lake
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Berm and Swale Construction
Sediments removed from Lake Blue Heron will be used to construct berms parallel to the direction of stormwater flow will be placed in the grassy swales draining sheet flow into the Killearn Lakes Plantation Lakes. The exact locations of berms will be determined, and will involve a combination of private property and KLHOA "greenways" areas. Berms will be gently sloping grassy areas to slow stormwater and capture sediment prior to entering the lake.
Establishing Grassy Pathways to Lakes
Many roads and pathways leading to our lakes do not have adequate grassy vegetation to filter stormwater heading into the lakes. These pathways need sod to slow the stormwater and help filter the larger sized particulate materials before they enter the Killearn Lakes Plantation lakes.
Rain Gardens
Areas immediately upstream from the berms and along lakefront residential properties will potentially be planted with vegetation that can help filter the stormwater. These will be incorporated and managed as part of the shoreline buffer zone system.
Monitoring
Over the one-year period, monitoring will be performed to monitor the effectiveness of nonpoint source pollution reduction.
Your Yard: Make it a Florida Friendly Yard!
Our yards and neighborhoods are channels to our waterways and aquifers. Your yard is the first line of defense for preserving Florida's fragile environment. The health of Florida's estuaries, rivers, lakes, springs and aquifers depends partly on how you landscape, fertilize and maintain your yard. You don't even have to live on the water to make a big difference. Rain that falls on yards, roads and parking lots wash into waterways or leach into ground water, carrying pollutants -- including fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and petroleum products. Improperly applied fertilizers and pesticides from residential areas pose a serious threat to the health of Florida's waters.
Follow an integrated approach to landscaping and make your yard a Florida Friendly Yard!
- Right plant, right place
- Water efficiently
- Fertilize appropriately
- Mulch
- Attract wildlife
- Mange yard pest responsibly
- Recycle yard waste
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Protect the waterfront
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From Florida Yards & Neighborhoods University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), 2006 @ http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/fyn/handbook.pdf
Funding for this restoration project made possible by Leon County with partial funding provided through a Florida Forever Grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District |
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