Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach

conclusive evidence of large amounts of artesian water in the City’s stormwater system. However,
they point in that direction and, if considered important, suggest further, more precise, analyses are
necessary.
Groundwater Resources
The top of the Floridan aquifer, the deep water artesian aquifer underlying Satellite Beach, locally
occurs at 200 to 250 feet below mean sea level (MSL). Over pumping of the aquifer has resulted in
local seawater intrusion. Otherwise, the aquifer provides water with a salinity of about 5,000 parts
per million in Satellite Beach - useable for irrigation, but exceeding Federal standards of no more
than 250 parts per million salinity for potable water. Confined under the impervious Hawthorn
Formation, the water in the Floridan Aquifer is artesian; it will rise above the surface of the ground
in a tightly cased well. As such, there is no recharge of the Floridan Aquifer in the City; that occurs
in western Orange and Lake Counties where the rock formations containing it lie near the surface
without overlying impervious formations.
The surficial aquifer is a non-artesian source of groundwater, recharged directly by infiltration of
water from the ground surface. The quality of water drawn from the shallow aquifer depends on the
source of recharge water and minerals in the soil. Water from the surficial aquifer underlying
Satellite Beach often contains iron and sulfur. Due to this fact, the surficial aquifer is used only for
shallow well irrigation systems.
Natural Environment
Satellite Beach is part of an intricate and delicate system--the coastal barrier island. This area
naturally serves as the mainland's first line of defense against storms. Barrier islands are naturallyformed
dynamic features which act as a buffer system between the ocean and the mainland. They
absorb the impacts of storms, which reshape their geography and topography in response to natural
conditions. Therefore, they are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, flooding, and erosion.
Furthermore, the barrier island has unique environmental features.
Due to the moderating influence of surrounding water bodies, the climate on the barrier island
supports tropical species of plants normally found far to the south. Brevard County's barrier island
to, approximately, Cape Canaveral, constitutes the northernmost limit of the range of many of these
plant species. At the same time, the infrequency and mildness of freezes in the Central Florida
region serves to define the southern limit of many plants found in temperate zones. Thus, the barrier
island in the vicinity of Satellite Beach represents a unique climatological region which sustains
unique habitats characterized by mixed tropical and temperate plant species, in addition to a
significant number of endemic species only found in the local region.
In order to protect coastal resources and critical habitat within the City, it is necessary to encourage
the preservation and restoration of native vegetation, and to discourage the placement or maintenance
of noxious plant species. The City has no programs which directly involve residents in preserving or
restoring native habitats on their property. However, the City is involved with several projects
Coastal Management/Conservation Element
Data and Analysis 5-9