News Update
Aquatic plant nursery to produce plants that help cleanse water
Staff report
Enviro-Net
Scientists at the South Florida Water Management District established an aquatic plant nursery to help cleanse the water at the C-44 Reservoir/Stormwater Treatment Area in Martin County.
STAs are man-made wetlands that help remove nutrient pollution from water. The nursery provides a sustainable source of native aquatic plants that will be transplanted to select locations around the C-44 STA and other STA sites throughout the district.
SFWMD scientists use a variety of native plant species to mimic nature when planting in the STAs to establish durable populations. When selecting the plants, many factors are considered including the plant’s preferred soil type; seasonal growth habits; resistance to fluctuating water levels, drought and water flow velocity; and the ability to compete with invasive plants and coexist with desirable plants.
The soil at the C-44 site is sandy, so the scientists are planting giant bulrush to stabilize the soil at the inflow and outflow canal edges to resist erosion and protect submerged plants from wind and waves.
Once completed, the C-44 Reservoir will store over 50,000 acre-feet of water, including local basin runoff and Lake Okeechobee releases. The project will clean water and reduce harmful releases reaching the St. Lucie Estuary that can fuel harmful algal blooms. The C-44 STA project has successfully reached substantial completion and is on its way to final completion.
Source: SFWMD