Today the SJRWMD approved a staff recommendation for
the Executive Director to spend up to $500,000 for a pilot study that will send
1.2 mgd of water down Alligator Creek to Brooklyn Lake from a deep aquifer well
that will be installed on Camp Blanding, probably just north of what is
sometimes known as the South West Quadrant Pond. The pilot study is
a conveyance study and when the study is completed in a couple of years, most
likely the well may be turned over to Camp Blanding as a fire prevention back
up water source. The SJRWMD emphasized the study is not to be confused
with an augmentation of Lake Brooklyn for the sake of recovery. Most
scientists agree pumping from the aquifer to refill it makes no sense. It
is a conveyance study to determine water quality, evaporation loss, etc., in
preparation for a long term aqua replenishment solution that will benefit the
SRWMD and SJRWMD. Water quality issues are a valid concern as radioactive
materials have shown up in water from deep aquifer wells and none of us want to
contaminate the entire chain of lakes by not doing essential water quality
tests.
Though the study is not for lake recovery, there are
hydration factors that will benefit the lakes. For example
Alligator Creek and the lake would hold more water if it rains, if the
subsurface is already hydrated. The study may put 2-4 ft. of water
in part of Lake Brooklyn. The Hydrologist hired by the City of
Keystone Heights, Peter Schreuder, said this is a very good day for all of us as
it is a step closer to implementing an aquifer replenishment project that will
use the lakes as a natural rapid infiltration basin. He has submitted
several plans for implementation. Our Alliance, Mayor Mary Lou
Hildreth and others encouraged the Board to push forward as rapidly as possible
with the study and solutions as we are getting reports that the lakes, springs,
rivers and wetlands are drying up at an alarming rate all over North Florida.
We told them in two years without some serious rain the lakes may
be beyond recovery and the aquifer depleted.
General consensus is that this is a win for the entire
region of North Florida, because with a continuing drought and heavy withdrawals
from the aquifer, putting “new water” which could be treated wastewater, storm
water or other sources will probably be the only thing that saves it unless we
have a rain of biblical proportion.
Tune in to the news on Channel 20 at 6:00 PM this
evening as Mayor Hildreth was interviewed by the station directly after the
Board Meeting.
Best wishes, Jackie
