Situated as the first lake downstream of Lake Apopka in the Harris Chain of Lakes and ultimately discharging to the Ocklawaha River, Lake Beauclair encompasses approximately 1,118 acres. Lake Beauclair is located along the eastern edge of Lake County, and receives controlled discharges from Lake Apopka via the Apopka-Beauclair (AB) Canal. Long-term sediment and nutrient inputs to Lake Beauclair have degraded the aquatic plant, fish, and wildlife assemblages, largely due to high levels of phosphorus and low dissolved oxygen.
AMEC-BCI is currently working with the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) to obtain state and federal permits necessary for sediment removal within the Lake to improve aquatic habitat, water quality and navigation. LCWA has partnered with the St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on the enhancement initiative within the western-most portion of Lake Beauclair where anthropogenic sediment deposits are most pronounced.
This portion of the Lake with the largest accumulation of phosphorus-laden sediments coincides with the outfall of the A-B Canal, constructed in the late 1800s as a waterway for navigation and agricultural use. Studies indicate the opening of the A-B Canal, coupled with large scale alteration and agricultural development along the contributing upstream shores of Lake Apopka, resulted in the phosphorus-laden sediment accumulation at the southwest portion of Lake Beauclair, in proximity to the A-B Canal outfall.
Coordinated efforts for the restoration of the upstream Lake Apopka from previous degradation associated with conversion of marsh shoreline habitat to cropland, coupled with agricultural and sewage discharges, have been ongoing since the 1960s. SJRWMD has also been working to address pesticide-contaminated sediments surrounding Lake Apopka since the 1990’s, within the Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area.
Former crop fields exhibiting pesticide-contaminated sediments in the Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area have been targeted to receive sediments proposed for removal for aquatic enhancement of Lake Beauclair. Sediments are proposed to be removed via hydraulic dredge from the southwest portion of Lake Beauclair, and used to cap contaminated sediments in a portion of the North Shore West Marsh.
SJRWMD is partnering with the LCWA to accept these sediments in this portion of the West Marsh to help meet existing and future restoration goals, and protect fi sh-eating avian species with the potential to be affected by food chain exposure to pesticide contaminants. FWC is a funding partner in the proposed enhancement plan, currently under regulatory review. The project is expected to significantly benefit fisheries and navigation, and contribute to improved water quality, especially when coupled with additional water quality improvement efforts by LCWA and SJRWMD in the region. Water quality improvements are expected to result within Lake Beauclair, portions of the North Shore Restoration Area, and carry positive influence downstream.
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Karen N. Warner, MS has been a Project Manager and ecologist with specific focus on water resources in the Central Florida area for approximately 10 years. Her experience includes extensive regulatory support for projects affecting important ecological habitats, along with the development and implementation of diverse habitat management plans. This work includes development and implementation of monitoring protocol for large-scale projects, currently including a regional monitoring program to assess the effects of the Lake Hancock Lake Level Modification in Polk County, Florida. Since joining AMEC-BCI, she has managed a variety of stream enhancement, lake enhancement, and ecological evaluation projects addressing important habitats and their utilization by state- and federally-listed wildlife species. |
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