Watershed
"The geographic area from which water in a particular stream, lake or estuary originates. All lands in the watershed drain toward the stream, lake or bay and contribute pollutants to these waters" 

The City of Clearwater and the South West Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) have identified areas of flood and water quality concerns in the Stevenson Creek Watershed. These areas were visited during  a field trip conducted by City staff. Here are some of the areas of concerns which this study will address:

Major Erosion

The Stevenson Creek Watershed Management Plan project is a cooperatively funded program between the City of Clearwater and the District's Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board.

The Stevenson Creek Watershed discharges to Clearwater Harbor, an Outstanding Florida Water Body and State Aquatic Preserve. The watershed has a history of flooding problems and water quality concerns regarding sediment deposits in the harbor and areas upstream. The proposed watershed management plan is a multi-phase stormwater management project that addresses both flood protection and water quality issues.
Intersection of Browning Street and Hillcrest Avenue

This first phase will collect data, evaluate the watershed, identify flood-prone areas and water quality problems, and evaluate potential solutions. Identification of erosion areas and evaluation of erosion control methods will be a major element of the project.

Future phases will include the design, permitting, land acquisition and construction of solutions to identify stormwater management problems. Benefits to Clearwater Harbor will be reduced sediment and pollutant loads.The City and the District's Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board will share the costs of the $599,000 first phase.

Erosion and seawall compromised at Browning & Hillcrest Ave.

Gabion Stabilization/Ditch swale and additional erosion problem
Intersection of Jeffords Street and Hillcrest Avenue. Erosion problem upstream of Lynn Lake

 

Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board is:

  • Terry M. England, of Indian Rocks Beach, is secretary/treasurer of England Brothers Construction Co., Inc. He was originally appointed in August 1999. His term will end March 1, 2003.

  • Rodney S. Fischer, of Palm Harbor, is executive director of Contractors & Builders Association. He was originally appointed in August 1999. His term will end March 1, 2003.

The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board covers portions of Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Nuisance vegetation on Lynn Lake

 

Possible stormwater management area
Glen Oaks golf course

Areas that flood naturally provide a host of water management functions that have only been recognized in recent years. These benefits include water storage, which helps limit flooding in other areas, and improvements in water quality by naturally filtering water to reduce pollutants. They also serve as important natural habitats.

Channel Hardlining

Flood protection can be accomplished in two ways — structurally or non-structurally. Traditionally, people have opted for a structural approach. However, modern methods  favor non-structural methods.

The structural approach involves building ditches, canals, dams and control structures to ensure that formerly flood-prone areas are reasonably safe from flooding. This is often a long, costly process with significant environmental impacts, including changing, and sometimes destroying, natural aquatic and land-based habitats.

 
Stevenson Creek crossing of Cleveland Street

 

Inline sediment sump

Inline sediment sump of Palmetto Street on Stevenson Creek City crew cleaning out sediment sump

Street Flooding 

Intersection of Saturn and Sherwood Street Flooding May 1997

Water Quality

Storm water is water that flows over land during and immediately after a rainstorm. Pollutants associated with storm water runoff include sediment, nutrients, heavy metals, oils, greases, pesticides and bacteria. Without proper treatment in developed areas, these pollutants in runoff adversely impact the quality of the receiving water.
Springtime Avenue between Brook Avenue & Stevenson Avenue

The District's New Water Source Initiative is an aggressive effort to ensure that we have enough water for the future. Funding and staff time have been committed to exploring alternative sources such as reused water, desalination, re-hydrating of wetlands and helping farmers maximize their water savings.

Estuary sedimentation

Finely divided solid material that settles beneath the surface of water. Sediment clogs waterways, smothers bottom living aquatic organisms and increases turbidity.

 Pinellas trail crossing of Stevenson Creek

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Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. -- This page updated: 08/04/05