Tampa Bay Region - Southwest Florida Water Management District

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
FY2014 COOPERATIVE FUNDING INITIATIVE APPLICATION FORM
Project Name
Cross Bayou Channel Restoration
Project Number N578
Cooperator
Pinellas County
Department
Environment And Infrastructure
Contact Person David Talhouk, E.I.
Address
14 S. Ft. Harrison Ave.
City Sate Zip Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone # 727-464-3780
Email
dtalhouk@co.pinellas.fl.us
Project Type:
Water Supply X Water Quality X Flood Protection X Natural Systems
Strategic Initiatives:
X Water Quality Maintenance and Improvement Water Quality Monitoring
Alternative Water Supply Conservation
Reclaimed Water Regional Water Supply Planning
Emergency Flood Response
X Floodplain Management
Minimum Flows and Level Establishment and Monitoring Minimum Flows and Levels Recovery
X Natural Systems Conservation and Restoration Natural Systems Identification and Monitoring
Indicate All Counties to Benefit From Project:
Charlotte Citrus Desoto Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lake
Levy Manatee Marion Pasco X Pinellas Sarasota Sumter Polk
Project Description:
The Cross Bayou Canal watershed is located in central Pinellas County and encompasses approximately 7,697 acres. The 10.5-
mile long Cross Bayou Canal bisects the watershed and connects to both Old Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay on its northeastern
and southwestern ends, respectively. Canal water can flow in either direction depending upon tidal conditions, but normally water
from the north and south halves do not mix.
Over time the canal has filled in and sediment has blocked flow in the canal from Ulmerton Road to Bryan Dairy road and from
Bryan Dairy Road to 102 nd Avenue. This severely limits the hydraulic capacity of the canal and negatively changes the hydraulics
of the area. This results in reduced hydraulic response and higher water elevations in the upstream watershed which increases the
frequency of flooding.
The sediment provides a platform for the recruitment of exotic plants which negatively affect habitat.
The cross bayou Canal North Segment is impaired for both Dissolved Oxygen and Total Nitrogen. Removing the sediment to
restore the hydraulic function of the canal will assist in improving water quality through increased circulation and flushing of the
system along with construction of upstream improvements to be defined in the Cross Bayou Watershed Plan currently under
development and cofunded by SWFWMD.
Pinellas County is asking for $100,000 for the design of the channel restoration in FY14.
Describe your organizations efforts in developing, implementing and enforcing water conservation and flood protection
ordinances.
Pinellas County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and has adopted a flood plain ordinance. We regulate and
manage floodplains up to the 100 yr event. All development is required to receive the proper building and site plan development
permits. We participate in the NPDES program and have an ongoing Watershed Management effort throughout the County. We
acquire and manage preserve areas, which provide water quality benefits.
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