Rocky Brushy Creek Watershed Mgmt. Plan (2007) -- Part 2

WATER SUPPLY9.3 Surface Water UseThe majority of the Northwest Hillsborough area relies on groundwater for its water supply, but theSweetwater Creek and Lower Sweetwater Creek Watersheds together with a portion of theRocky/Brushy Creek Watershed are within the service area of the City of Tampa for which theprimary water source is Hillsborough River Reservoir. In 2002, the Northwest Hillsborough areawas supplied with 54.998 mg for public supply from wellfields in the area; in that same year, a totalof 85.477 mg was provided from surface water sources.Lakes and Streams - Fifty-seven named, natural lakes exist in the Rocky/Brushy Creek watershedstudy area. These lakes range in surface area from 93 acres (Carlton, aka Turkey Ford) to the 15-acres Lake Charles. These water features are permanently inundated, although water elevationsrise and fall as a result of rainfall and groundwater pumping rates. Most lakes have been affectedby agricultural development followed by urbanization and groundwater withdrawals.The watershed contains five named streams: Brushy Creek, Rocky Creek, Channel A, WoodsCreek, and Pepper Mound Creek. The channel of Brushy Creek is narrow along its entire length,while that of Rocky Creek is narrow in its upper reaches but widens as the Creek approaches thebay. A segment of Rocky Creek was channelized and a diversion canal, Channel A, wasconstructed off of Rocky Creek east of Sheldon Road. Channel A empties into the bay west of theoriginal channel of Rocky Creek.Reservoirs - Reservoirs are artificial impoundments of water constructed in association withagricultural and residential development in the watershed; residential reservoirs are managed toprovide aesthetic or stormwater management functions. In the Rocky/Brushy Creek watershed,there are 33 named artificial ponds, 14 of which that participate in the County’s Adopt-A-Pondprogram; all are associated with residential properties. While not natural lakes, these surface waterbodies are numerous enough to contribute to the watershed’s water resources in recharge, waterquality, and flood abatement.9.4 Water Supply Issues / Areas of ConcernWith the recent occurrence of widespread drought within the region, many concerns have beenraised as to how the future water supply needs will be met. In recent years, several projects havebeen proposed and initiated to meet the future water needs of the region. However, it remains tobe seen whether these new projects will provide sufficient water without causing significantadverse impacts on the environment. Several studies have documented the decline in water levelsof wetlands, lakes as well as groundwater (SWFWMD, 1996). The demand for water will continueto increase as population grows and both groundwater and surface water supply needs increase.9-12 Rocky/Brushy Creek Watershed Management Plan