The Determination of Minimum Flows for Sulphur Springs, Tampa

DRAFT
tolerate and are frequently found in tidal fresh waters (e.g. Taphromysis bowmani,
Rhithropanopeus harrisii, Almyracuma sp). One euryhaline polychaete
(Laeonereisculveri culveri) was found. It is assumed that brackish water species enter
the spring run from the river during the dry season.
A number of freshwater species were found in the spring run. For the most part, these
are species that are tolerant of a wide array of environmental conditions (e.g. the
collected dipteran and oligochaete species). The mayfly that was collected (Callibaetis
floridanus) is common in slightly brackish coastal springs and a wide array of fresh
waters (Berner and Pescador 1988). Similarly, the damselflies (Zygoptera) that were
collected are widely distributed, including documented occurrences in brackish waters
for Enallagma civile, and Ischnura ramburii (Dunkel 1990, Westfall and May 1996).
Five species of gastropods (snails) were collected in the spring run, including a widely
distributed exotic species (Melanoides tuberculata) and three predominantly freshwater
native species (Amnicola dalli johnsoni, Elimia floridensis, and Planorbella scalaris).
Another collected snail (Pyrogophorus platytrachis) is common in fresh and brackish
waters (Thompson, 1984). In sum, the macroinvertebrate community of Sulphur Springs
Run in 1997 appeared comprised of a mixture of species that are common to fresh
waters and brackish water species that are common in oligohaline tidal creeks.
3.7.3.2 Invertebrate collections from 2000 to 2003
In 2000, the District contracted UF and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) in a joint study to make quantitative collections of fishes (by UF)
and macroinvertebrates (by FWC) in the Sulphur Springs Run. The results of collections
during year are described in a combined report by those investigators (Allen et al.
2001). Benthic macroinvertebrates also were collected from the spring run on three
dates between 2001 and 2003 by the FWC, but these data have not yet been
summarized in a final report by that agency. However, results from those collections
have been made available to the District and are briefly summarized in this report.
Data collection from the spring run by the FWC has included both qualitative and
quantitative samples. Quantitative samples were collected on three dates (May 25,
2000; November 8, 2001; and December 9, 2003). Qualitative collections were also
made on these dates and July 8, 2001, for a total of five qualitative collections counting
the 1997 SWFWMD/FDEP survey. The results of these qualitative collections are
described first, followed by a discussion of the quantitative samples.
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