Upper Ocklawaha River Basin
   Lake, Marion, & Orange counties, Florida

Overview
Protection and improvement of water quality is an important part of the mission of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Success depends on data collection to be able to critically define water quality problems, make management decisions, and document success of management strategies. Proposed and newly constructed District restoration projects within the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin require the collection of water quality and plankton samples from eight sampling networks that include sites in marshes, swamps, river, and lakes. Water & Air is assisting the District in the collection of these data.

Details

• Collection of surface and vertical profile in-situ measurements using Hydrolab and Li-Cor equipment.
• Collection and preservation of filtered and unfiltered water samples.
• Collection and preservation of phytoplankton and zooplankton samples.
• Accurate entry of field data into the District's database.

Results
This project included the weekly, monthly, or quarterly collection of samples at more than 60 sites accessible by airboat, conventional boat, or by driving to the site. All sampling was conducted following strict sampling and quality assurance protocols. Water & Air has successfully completed this task for the past nine years (in spite of four hurricanes impacting central Florida in 2004) by implementing a rigorous system of trained personnel and backup boats and critical equipment.