2007 ORANGE CREEK BASIN 

MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN

For the Implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads Adopted by the 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

for 

Newnans Lake, Orange Lake, Lake Wauberg,

Hogtown Creek,

Sweetwater Branch, Tumblin Creek, and

Alachua Sink

Developed by the Orange Creek Basin Working Group 

in Cooperation with the 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Water Resource Management 

Bureau of Watershed Management 

May 8, 2008 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 ii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................V

ORANGE CREEK BASIN WORKING GROUP AND OTHER 

PARTICIPANTS .......................................................................................................VI

LIST OF ACRONYMS .............................................................................................VII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 1

ES.1 Management Actions ........................................................................... 4

ES.2 Managing Pollutant Loads from Future Growth ................................. 5

ES.3 BMAP Implementation and Tracking ................................................... 6

2007 ORANGE CREEK BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 

ADDRESSING THE TMDLS FOR NEWNANS LAKE, ORANGE LAKE, 

LAKE WAUBERG, HOGTOWN CREEK, SWEETWATER BRANCH, 

TUMBLIN CREEK, AND ALACHUA SINK ............................................................... 9

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................. 9

Overview of Management Actions......................................................... 9

Document Organization....................................................................... 12

2.0 Background ........................................................................................... 13

Regional Setting of Orange Creek Basin............................................. 13

3.0 Total Maximum Daily Loads in the Orange Creek Basin ................... 17

4.0 BMAP Development Process ............................................................... 19

5.0 Pollutant Reduction Allocations .......................................................... 21

6.0 Pollutant Sources and Management Actions...................................... 22

BMAP Assumptions and Considerations ............................................. 22

Management Action Overview............................................................. 23

Management Actions........................................................................... 29

Managing Pollutant Loads from Future Growth ................................... 36

Waterbody Assessments..................................................................... 38

7.0 Monitoring Program.............................................................................. 60

8.0 Tracking and Follow-up Actions.......................................................... 62

9.0 Commitment to Plan Implementation .................................................. 64

10.0 Detailed Project Information............................................................... 66

Introduction.......................................................................................... 66

DACS’ Process of BMP Implementation.............................................. 66

Quantifiable Nutrient Load Reductions................................................ 66
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 iii 

Quantifiable Fecal Coliform Bacteria Load Reductions ....................... 66

BMAP Implementation Costs............................................................... 66

11.0 References......................................................................................... 105

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY OF TERMS .............................................................. 106
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure ES.1. Orange Creek Basin Boundary and Location of BMAP Waterbodies ________3

Figure 2.1. Ocklawaha River Basin Showing Location of the Orange Creek Basin _____15

Figure 2.2 Orange Creek Basin BMAP Waterbodies ____________________________16

Figure 6.1. Alachua Sink TSI Values, 2000–02_________________________________44

Figure 6.2. Wet Year Baseline TN Loading to Alachua Sink _______________________45

Figure 6.3. Baseline TN Loading to Newnans Lake _____________________________50

Figure 6.4. Baseline TP Loading to Newnans Lake _____________________________51

Figure 6.5. Baseline TP Loading to Orange Lake _______________________________57

LIST OF TABLES

Table ES.1. Anticipated Trends in Core and Supplemental Water Quality Indicators _____8

Table 1.1 TMDLs and Project Management Categories in the Orange Creek Basin ___11

Table 3.1. TMDLs Addressed in the Orange Creek Basin ________________________18

Table 4.1. Basin Working Group Organizational Structure _______________________20

Table 6.1. Summary of Orange Creek BMAP Categories, by Stakeholder ___________24

Table 6.2. New Projects Proposed by BWG Members that Address TMDLs__________31

Table 6.3. Projects Proposed by BWG Members that Were Enhanced To Address 

TMDLs_______________________________________________________33

Table 6.4. Local LID Examples in the Orange Creek Basin _______________________37

Table 6.5. Completed and Planned Projects To Reduce Fecal Coliform Bacteria 

levels in Urban Creeks and Prevent Future Discharges _________________40

Table 6.6. Summary of Management Actions To Reduce Fecal Coliform Bacteria 

in Specific Urban Creeks_________________________________________41

Table 6.7. Completed and Planned Projects To Reduce Total Nitrogen to Alachua 

Sink _________________________________________________________46

Table 6.8. Completed and Planned Projects To Reduce Nutrients in Newnans 

Lake_________________________________________________________53

Table 6.9. Planned Projects To Reduce Nutrients in Lake Wauberg ________________55

Table 6.10. Completed and Planned Projects To Reduce Nutrients in Orange Lake ____58

Table 7.1. Anticipated Trends in Core and Supplemental Water Quality Indicators ____61

Table 9.1. Signatories ___________________________________________________65

Table 10.1A. Structural BMPs—Quantifiable Load Reductions ______________________68

Table 10.1B. Structural BMPs—Load Reductions Not Currently Quantified ____________70

Table 10.2. Agricultural BMPs ______________________________________________72

Table 10.3. Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Projects __________________74

Table 10.4. Regulations, Ordinances, and Guidelines ____________________________77

Table 10.5. Special Studies and Planning Efforts _______________________________78

Table 10.6. Education and Outreach Efforts ___________________________________90

Table 10.7. Basic Stormwater Management Program Implementation _______________92

Table 10.8. Conservation Land Acquisition / BMP Land Acquisition _________________96

Table 10.9. Wastewater Infrastructure Management, Maintenance, Repair, and 

Upgrade______________________________________________________99
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan was prepared as part of a five-year cycle to 

implement Total Maximum Daily Loads adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental 

Protection in the Orange Creek Basin. It was developed by the Orange Creek Basin Working 

Group (BWG), identified below, with participation from affected local, regional, and state 

governmental interests; elected officials and citizens; and private interests. The BWG would like 

to give special thanks to Gainesville Regional Utilities for providing a meeting room. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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ORANGE CREEK BASIN WORKING GROUP AND OTHER 

PARTICIPANTS 

• ENTITY • BWG REPRESENTATIVE* • OTHER PARTICIPANTS

• City of Gainesville • Alice Rankeillor** /Sally Adkins, 

• Stu Pearson

• Gainesville Regional Utilities • Brett Goodman**/Rick Hutton/

• Paul Davis

• David Richardson 

• Alice Rankeillor 

• Alachua County Public Works • David Cerlanek/Sam Middleton

• Alachua County Environmental 

Protection Dept. 

• Chris Bird/Robin Hallbourg • Kathy Fanning 

• Gus Olmos 

• Stacie Greco 

• Diana 

Gijselaers 

• Marion County • Gail Mowry/Tracy Straub • Shane Williams 

• Town of McIntosh • John Wright 

• Dept. of Environmental 

Protection 

Division of Water Resource 

Management 

(process/technical support) 

• N/A • Mary Paulic 

• Fred Calder 

• Jennifer 

Gihring 

• Terry Pride** 

• Xueqing Gao 

• Wayne Magley 

• Fay Baird, 

Pandion 

Systems 

Northeast District • Jeff Martin 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State 

Park 

• Jim Weimer 

Invasive Plant Management • Joe Hinkle 

• Dept. of Transportation • Alan Obaigbena 

• Alachua County Dept. of Health • Paul Myers/Anthony Dennis • Sherri Seay 

• Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission 

• Eric Nagid • Bruce Jaggers 

• Jerry Krummrich 

• University of Florida • Erick Smith/Chuck Hogan

• Sierra Club • Karen Orr 

• Women for Wise Growth • Carol Higman 

• Sustainable Alachua County • Dr. Kathy Cantwell 

• Gainesville Water Management 

Committee 

• Dr. R.M. Fry/Joe Wise

• Alachua County Environmental 

Protection Advisory Committee 

• Sue Dudley/Carol Higman • Rob Brinkman 

• St. Johns River Water 

Management District 

• Carol Lippincott/Jian Di • Lori Hazel David Walker 

• Dept. of Agriculture/Water 

Policy 

• Jody Lee • Terry Pride 

• Dept. of Agriculture/Forestry • Jeff Vowell/Roy Lima

• Forestry Industry • Dan Roach/Rob Hicks 

• Phil Gornicki, Florida Forestry 

Assoc. 

• Private Sector • Mike Castine/Mayana Anderson 

(Brown and Cullen, Inc.) 

• John Hurford 

• Town of Micanopy • TBD • Tom Staley 

• Jones Edmunds • N/A • Alan Foley 

• Brett Cunningham 

• Brett Goodman 

* BWG representative / alternate representative 

** Former BWG member. 

TBD – To be determined. 

N/A –Not applicable
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

ACT Alachua Conservation Trust 

ARA Antibiotic resistance analysis 

ACHD Alachua County Health Department 

BMAP Basin Management Action Plan 

BMP Best management practice 

BWG Basin Working Group 

CDS Continuous deflective separation 

DACS Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer 

Services 

DO Dissolved oxygen 

DOT Florida Department of Transportation 

DEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

F.A.C. Florida Administrative Code 

FCT Florida Communities Trust 

FFLP Federal Forest Legacy Program 

FRLPP Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program 

F.S Florida Statutes 

FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

FWRA Florida Watershed Restoration Act 

FY Fiscal year 

GIS Geographic information system 

GRU Gainesville Regional Utilities 

HMMC Hazardous Materials Management Code 

HUC Hydrologic unit code 

I & I Infiltration & Inflow 

LID Low-impact Development 

MOS Margin of safety 

MS4 Municipal separate storm sewer system 

MST Microbial source tracking 

N Nitrogen 

NO2 Nitrite 

NO3 Nitrate 

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

NOI Notice of Intent 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service 

OAWP Office of Agricultural Water Policy 

O&M Operations and Maintenance 

OSTDS On-site sewage treatment and disposal system 

QA Quality assurance 

P Phosphorus 

PLRG Pollutant Load Reduction Goal 

SAV Submerged aquatic vegetation 

SJRWMD St. Johns River Water Management District 

SWIM Surface Water Improvement and Management 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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SWFWMD Southwest Florida Water Management District 

TN Total nitrogen 

TKN Total Kjeldahl nitrogen 

TOC Total organic carbon 

TP Total phosphorus 

TSI Trophic State Index 

TSS Total suspended solids 

UF University of Florida 

UF–IFAS University of Florida–Institute of Food and Agricultural 

Sciences 

ULDC Unified Land Development Code 

WAV Watershed Action Volunteers 

WBID Waterbody identification 

WRF Water reclamation facility 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) was developed by the Orange 

Creek Basin Working Group (BWG) over a multiyear period. It addresses waterbodies in the 

Orange Creek Basin with water quality impairments. The BMAP focuses on reducing nutrient 

discharges to lakes and fecal coliform discharges to streams verified as impaired under the 

Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA) (Chapter 403.067, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and the 

Impaired Surface Waters Rule (Rule 62-303, Florida Administrative Code [F.A.C.]), and for 

which total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) were established. TMDLs, which DEP adopts by 

rule, establish the maximum amount of specific pollutants that a waterbody can assimilate while 

maintaining water quality standards, including designated uses. All surface waters in the 

Orange Creek Basin are designated as Class III waters in accordance with Rule 62-302, F.A.C., 

defined as having suitable water quality for recreational use and for the propagation and 

maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. 

This BMAP provides for phased implementation pursuant to Section 403.067(7) (a) 1 F. S. The 

management actions and adaptive management approach described in the BMAP will address 

fecal coliform bacteria and nutrient reductions needed to meet the TMDLs. This adaptive 

management process will continue until the TMDL is met. 

The Orange Creek Basin BMAP adoption as a phased BMAP allows for implementation of 

projects designed to achieve incremental reductions while simultaneously monitoring and 

conducting studies to better understand water quality dynamics (sources and response 

variables) in each impaired waterbody. Subsequent five-year management cycles will evaluate 

progress and make adjustments or add new projects, as needed, to meet the TMDLs. 

The following streams and lakes have TMDLs and are depicted in Figure ES.1. 

• Hogtown and Tumblin Creeks and Sweetwater Branch: Impaired due to 

high levels of fecal coliform bacteria exceeding state criteria, 

• Alachua Sink: Impaired due to excessive nitrogen, based on Trophic 

State Index (TSI) value above threshold of 60. A lake with a TSI value 

above 60 is considered impaired by the Impaired Surface Waters Rule 

because of excess nutrients, 

• Newnans Lake: Impaired due to excessive nitrogen & phosphorus, based 

on TSI value above threshold of 60, 

• Lake Wauberg: Impaired due to excessive nitrogen & phosphorus, based 

on TSI value above 60, 

• Orange Lake: Impaired due to excessive phosphorus, based on TSI 

value above threshold of 60, and 

Management actions addressing these TMDLs were included in one BMAP. This approach was 

taken for the following reasons: the connectedness of the TMDL waterbodies facilitated more 

efficient use of local government expertise, the commonality of problems and expected sources, 

and several local pollution control programs and maintenance and operation activities apply to 

all waterbodies. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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The BMAP process was structured to achieve cooperation and consensus among a broad 

range of interested parties. The process promoted the engagement of local stakeholders in a 

coordinated and collaborative manner to address the reductions of loadings of nutrients and 

bacteria needed to achieve the Orange Creek Basin TMDLs. It built upon existing water quality 

improvement programs and local partnerships, such as the Gainesville Clean Water 

Partnership, to address water quality problems. Members of the Orange Creek BWG represent: 

• Alachua County (Public Works and Environmental Protection 

Departments), 

• City of Gainesville (Public Works), 

• Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), 

• Department of Transportation (DOT), 

• DEP NE District Office, 

• DEP Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, 

• Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 

• Alachua County Health Department, 

• Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), 

• University of Florida, 

• St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), 

• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Office of Agriculture 

Water Policy and Division of Forestry), 

• Florida Forestry Association, 

• Private timber interests, 

• Marion County Clean Water Program, 

• Alachua County and Gainesville citizen environmental advisory 

committees, and 

• Community groups including Sustainable Alachua County, Suwannee St. 

Johns Sierra Club, and Women for Wise Growth. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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FIGURE ES.1. ORANGE CREEK BASIN BOUNDARY AND LOCATION OF BMAP WATERBODIES
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 4 

ES.1 Management Actions 

The BMAP built upon existing water quality improvement programs and local partnerships, such 

as the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership (includes Gainesville, Alachua County, and Dept. of 

Transportation), created to address water quality problems and implement a stormwater 

management program. State and local governments and community groups have committed to 

the implementation of the BMAP and signed statements or resolutions to that effect. 

The BMAP documents the management actions that have been or will be undertaken by local, 

regional, state, or private entities to reduce the amount of these pollutants released into 

waterbodies with established TMDLs. The BMAP also addresses the following: 

• Identification of sources of nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria 

• Assignment or allocation of loadings to sources 

• Funding and timeline for projects 

• Monitoring (water quality) plans for follow-up of BMAP implementation 

• Tracking of projects 

• Loadings from future growth 

• Commitment to plan implementation by local partners 

The basin working group agreed that rather than make detailed allocations, the initial allocations 

adopted as part of each TMDL were adequate. Several factors influenced this decision. There 

are only two major point source discharges in the basin, both effecting Alachua Sink, and 

wasteload allocations were made within the Alachua Sink TMDL. Uncertainty about 

identification of sources of nutrients and bacteria requires further investigation. The finalization 

of Pollutant Load Reduction Goals by the St. Johns River Water Management District should 

help identify nutrient sources to the lakes. The physical interconnectedness of municipal storm 

sewers managed by Alachua County, Gainesville, and Dept. of Transportation made it 

extremely difficult and complicated to assign any one entity a percent reduction in stormwater 

loading. The intermingling of systems requires the sharing of stormwater management 

responsibilities between these entities. 

Over 100 management actions (Tables 10.1 through 10.9) are contained in this BMAP to 

address elevated fecal coliform levels in streams and nutrient levels in lakes. Many of these 

projects are part of existing programs, but some were expanded in scope to address the TMDLs 

(see Table 6.3) or undertaken by local partners at their expense for the sole purpose of 

supporting TMDL development and implementation (Table 6.2). Table 1.1 summarizes the 

number of management actions for each TMDL waterbody by category. 

Though a substantial body of scientific literature exists regarding the hydrology, ecology, and 

function of TMDL waterbodies, the relation of water quality to pollutant sources is not well 

understood for many of these waterbodies. For waterbodies where scientific understanding is 

well developed, projects were proposed that will meet the TMDL. For waterbodies where 

current scientific understanding contains large uncertainties, the BMAP includes focused studies 

expected to increase the understanding of impaired waterbodies and to support development of 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 5 

future management actions. Examples of these focused studies are the technical work 

supporting development of pollutant load reduction goals and fecal coliform water quality 

sampling and extensive microbial source tracking work (Table 10.5 contains details). 

Management actions cover a wide variety of pollutant sources through stormwater retrofits, 

centralized wastewater infrastructure management, the repair and/or upgrade of on-site sewage 

treatment disposal systems (OSTDSs, or septic systems), pollution prevention, public 

education, and related activities. These management actions include the following three projects 

of note: 

1. Alachua County, the Alachua County Health Department, the City of 

Gainesville, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Florida Department of 

Transportation, and DEP initiated a project to identify and remediate 

sources of fecal coliform bacteria in urban “hot spots” (areas with 

consistently high fecal counts). The selection of these hot spots was 

based on fecal coliform monitoring and initial microbial source tracking 

activities in the Tumblin Creek, Sweetwater Branch, and Hogtown Creek 

watersheds. This project is expected to improve communication and 

coordination among the agencies responsible for wastewater and 

stormwater management and the remediation of problems. It is 

anticipated that the project will achieve significant localized reductions in 

fecal coliform levels, with related overall reductions in the urban creeks. 

2. The proposed Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration 

Project is a cooperative effort of local governments, City of Gainesville 

Public Works, GRU, DEP, DOT, the St. Johns River Water Management 

District, and others. Its purpose is to return sheetflow to Paynes Prairie 

and, through the creation of a wetland treatment system, remove 

nutrients from water in Sweetwater Branch, which currently discharges 

into Alachua Sink. Feasibility studies and conceptual design plans have 

been completed. The project is in the early stages of design planning and 

requires substantial public funding and acquisition of land for its 

completion. The total nitrogen (TN) load reductions required of point 

sources identified in the Alachua Sink TMDL would be met when this 

project is completed. 

3. The SJRWMD is developing PLRGs for nutrients in Newnans Lake, 

Lochloosa Lake, and Orange Lake, with input from local stakeholders. 

PLRGs will identify major sources of nutrient pollutants in each lake that 

are currently not well-defined, aiding in the selection of management 

actions to reduce nutrient loadings. 

ES.2 Managing Pollutant Loads from Future Growth 

As required by the FWRA, nutrient and fecal coliform loadings associated with future growth 

were considered as part of the BMAP. These estimates were based on anticipated population 

growth in the basin obtained from U.S. Census Bureau data gathered and evaluated through the 

BMAP process. Basinwide, future growth predicted through 2015 is not expected to 

substantially increase pollutant loads. However, emerging growth patterns in East Gainesville, 

particularly the Newnans Lake watershed, indicate that Census predictions may not adequately 

reflect the changes in land use that could occur in that area or other localized parts of the basin. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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There are programs in place to ensure that the possible effects are reduced, but extra caution in 

future permitting may be needed in specific locations within the basin. 

The management actions considered by stakeholders include a number of activities that 

proactively address pollutant loadings from new development (or redevelopment) through 

regulations, ordinances, or guidelines. The application of Low Impact Development principles is 

a key management action being advanced and used by stakeholders to offset the effects of 

future growth. 

ES.3 BMAP Implementation and Tracking 

BMAP implementation will be a long-term process. Significant unknowns remain regarding 

nutrient sources for Orange Creek Basin lakes and to a lesser extent bacteria sources for 

streams. The TMDLs established for basin lakes most likely will not be achieved in the near 

term. Initial actions taken to identify sources of fecal coliform bacteria have been more 

successful. The identification of bacteria sources using a variety of techniques, including 

detailed microbial source tracking, the use of optical brighteners, and field observations, has 

been completed. 

Prior to and during the development of the BMAP, Gainesville Regional Utilities, City of 

Gainesville, Alachua County Health Department, and Alachua County completed a number of 

actions pertinent to controlling fecal coliform bacteria and nutrients. These actions included: 

• Strengthening of GRU’s sewer line and lift station maintenance and 

inspection program. GRU increased the mileage of sewer line slip lined 

and smoke tested in the TMDL watersheds (Table 10.9 contains details), 

• City of Gainesville completed several stormwater retrofit projects 

(stormwater parks and ponds) and installation of hydrodynamic 

separators in the Sweetwater Branch and Tumblin Creek watersheds 

(Tables 10.1A and B contain details), 

• City of Gainesville, Dept. of Transportation, and Alachua County received 

their first five year MS4 permits. The result has been increased and 

improved maintenance and inspection of storm sewers and detection of 

illicit discharges driven partly by the BMAP process (Table 10.7) contains 

details), and 

• Alachua County Health Department surveyed properties along 

Sweetwater Branch, Tumblin Creek, and Hogtown Creek expected to 

have septic systems. The survey identified any sanitary nuisances and 

provided an evaluation of the potential for a system to be contributing 

bacteria, based on depth to the water table and distance to water. 

For the first phase of BMAP implementation, the BWG has started a project to better evaluate 

elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in Gainesville’s urban creeks. The development of 

PLRGs and the results of watershed nutrient source identification projects for Newnans Lake, 

Lochloosa Lake, and Orange Lake by the SJRWMD will identify major sources of nutrient 

loadings into those lakes. 

In this first phase, the BWG will track its projects and other implementation efforts and monitor 

water quality in TMDL waterbodies (through existing water quality monitoring programs), to 

ensure that the BMAP is carried out and to measure its effectiveness. The BWG will meet at 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 7 

least annually to discuss implementation issues, consider new information, and determine other 

management actions needed for waterbodies that are not projected to meet their TMDLs. 

Each entity responsible for implementing management actions as part of the BMAP will 

complete an annual report for submittal to the BWG and DEP. The report will track the 

implementation status of any management actions listed in the BMAP and document additional 

management actions undertaken to further the water quality improvements in the basin. 

As part of the BMAP, the BWG designed a strategy for monitoring water quality based on 

specific indicators and measuring pollutant concentrations and loads to determine if water 

quality is improving and the TMDL is being met. Table ES.1 outlines proposed water quality 

indicators and their expected responses to water quality improvements. 

Observations of water quality conditions and trends will be reported to the BWG and public at 

least annually as part of the BMAP annual report. Water quality data will be used to support 

adaptive management process, assess projects, and identify the need for new actions. A more 

complete analysis of trends in progress towards achieving designated use will be made on a 

five-year basis, corresponding with DEP’s watershed management cycle.
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

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TABLE ES.1. ANTICIPATED TRENDS IN CORE AND SUPPLEMENTAL WATER QUALITY INDICATORS

Core Indicators* Lakes Creeks 

Chlorophyll a Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Total Phosphorus (as P) Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Nitrogen, 

Nitrite (NO2), 

and Nitrate (NO3) as N 

Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Nitrogen, Kjeldahl (TKN) Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Fecal coliform Not applicable Decrease in concentration 

Supplemental Indicators** Lakes Creeks 

Specific conductance Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Dissolved oxygen (DO) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Alkalinity Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

pH Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Temperature Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Color Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Turbidity Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

Total suspended solids (TSS) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

Total organic carbon (TOC) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

*Core indicator – Indicator that measures progress made towards achieving TMDL. 

**Supplemental indicator – Additional indicators measured to facilitate the interpretation of core indicators. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 9 

2007 ORANGE CREEK BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 

ADDRESSING THE TMDLS FOR NEWNANS LAKE, ORANGE 

LAKE, LAKE WAUBERG, HOGTOWN CREEK, 

SWEETWATER BRANCH, 

TUMBLIN CREEK, AND ALACHUA SINK 

1.0 Introduction 

The Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) was developed by the Orange 

Creek Basin Working Group (BWG) over a multiyear period. It addresses waterbodies in the 

Orange Creek Basin with water quality impairments. The BMAP focuses on reducing nutrient 

discharges to lakes and fecal coliform discharges to streams verified as impaired under the 

Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA) (Chapter 403.067, Florida Statutes [F.S.]) and the 

Impaired Surface Waters Rule (Rule 62-303, Florida Administrative Code [F.A.C.]), and for 

which total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) were established. TMDLs were established for 

Newnans Lake, Orange Lake, Lake Wauberg, and Alachua Sink for nutrients and for Hogtown 

Creek, Tumblin Creek, and Sweetwater Branch for fecal coliform bacteria. 

The BMAP documents the management actions that have been or will be undertaken by local, 

regional, state, or private entities to reduce the amount of these pollutants released into 

waterbodies with established TMDLs. Reducing the amounts of nutrients and fecal coliform 

released in the basin will help achieve water quality standards and designated uses established 

by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Orange Creek Basin waters 

have been designated as Class III, suitable for recreational use and for the propagation and 

maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. 

Management actions addressing these TMDLs were included in one BMAP. This approach was 

taken for the following reasons: the connectedness of the TMDL waterbodies, the commonality 

of problems and expected sources, and local pollution control programs and maintenance and 

operation activities apply to all waterbodies. 

This BMAP provides for phased implementation pursuant to Section 403.067(7) (a) 1 F. S. The 

management actions and adaptive management approach described in the BMAP will address 

fecal coliform bacteria and nutrient reductions needed to meet the TMDLs. This adaptive 

management process will continue until the TMDL is met. 

The Orange Creek Basin BMAP adoption as a phased BMAP allows for implementation of 

projects designed to achieve incremental reductions while simultaneously monitoring and 

conducting studies to better understand water quality dynamics (sources and response 

variables) in each impaired waterbody. Subsequent five-year management cycles will evaluate 

progress and make adjustments or add new projects, as needed, to meet the TMDLs. 

Overview of Management Actions 

An important result of the BMAP process in the Orange Creek Basin has been the 

unprecedented level of local stakeholder participation and commitment. The BMAP process 

enhanced communication and cooperation among basin stakeholders that will have benefits 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 10 

beyond the BMAP. Together, stakeholders identified solutions to some of the basin’s complex 

water pollution issues and are taking decisive steps toward realizing those solutions. 

Signatories to this BMAP share a common goal: restoring the designated uses of impaired 

waterbodies in the Orange Creek Basin. Their management actions, including the more than 

100 specific projects identified in this BMAP, will improve the water quality of impaired 

waterbodies. These management actions cover a wide variety of pollutant sources and are 

categorized as follows: 

• Structural BMPs—Quantifiable and Unquantifiable Load Reductions 

• Agricultural BMPs 

• Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Projects 

• Regulations, Ordinances, and Guidelines 

• Special Studies and Planning Efforts 

• Education and Outreach Efforts 

• Basic Stormwater Management Program Implementation 

• Conservation Land Acquisition / BMP Land Acquisition 

• Wastewater Infrastructure Management, Maintenance, Repair, and 

Upgrade 

Table 1.1 summarizes the number of management actions by category for each TMDL 

waterbody. The number and type of projects varies by waterbody. Basin wide management 

actions are counted for each individual waterbody. 

Though considerable effort was taken to understand the ecology of and internal dynamics of 

TMDL waterbodies, the relation of water quality to pollutant sources is not well understood for 

some of these waterbodies. For some waterbodies, this prevented the Basin Working Group 

(BWG) from identifying a suite of projects that would fully implement each TMDL. As such the 

BMAP, with a few exceptions, does not contain quantitative values for project-based pollutant 

load reductions or an expected date on which the TMDLs will be achieved. Despite these 

uncertainties, basin stakeholders expect to achieve water quality improvements through the 

activities outlined in this BMAP. 

For waterbodies where scientific understanding is well developed, projects were proposed that 

will meet the TMDL. For example, the bacteria “hot spot” project began with microbial source 

tracking (MST) studies that did not provide conclusive results, but provided sufficient certainty to 

identify geographic areas of concern for human sources of bacteria. The geographic guidance 

obtained from the MST studies is being used with a field-based source identification and 

remediation effort of multiple stakeholders. In this way, projects in the BMAP are the BWG’s 

best effort to combine current scientific understanding with a pragmatic and adaptive approach 

to decrease coliform bacteria in urban streams and nutrients in rural lakes. The BWG is 

confident that these activities will lead to improvements in BMAP waterbodies. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 11 

TABLE 1.1 TMDLS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT CATEGORIES IN THE ORANGE CREEK BASIN

TMDL

CATEGORY

WATERBODY

WBID PARAMETER

ORANGE CREEK BMAP MANAGEMENT CATEGORY NUMBER OF 

PROJECTS

Agriculture BMPs 6 

Basic Stormwater Program 8 

Conservation Land Acquisition 3 

Education and Outreach Efforts 3 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Restoration and Water Quality Improvement 5 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 4 

Structural BMP 2 

Newnans 

Lake 

2705B 

TN and 

TP 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 10 

Agriculture BMPs 7 

Basic Stormwater Program 3 

Conservation Land Acquisition 6 

Education and Outreach Efforts 3 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Restoration and Water Quality Improvement 7 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 6 

Orange Lake 

2749A TP 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 1 

Special Studies 1 

Education and Outreach Efforts 3 

Lake 

Wauberg 

2741 

TN and 

TP Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Basic Stormwater Program 6 

Conservation Land Acquisition 3 

Education and Outreach Efforts 5 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Restoration and Water Quality Improvement 1 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 14 

Structural BMPs 10 

Nutrients 

Alachua Sink 

2720A TN 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 13 

Basic Stormwater Management 8 

Education and Outreach Efforts 3 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Restoration and Water Quality Improvement 3 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 10 

Structural BMPs 5 

Hogtown 

Creek 2698 Fecal Coliform 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 10 

Basic Stormwater Management 9 

Education and Outreach Efforts 4 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 11 

Structural BMPs 1 

Tumblin 

Creek 2718A Fecal Coliform 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 11 

Basic Stormwater Management 8 

Education and Outreach Efforts 4 

Regulation, Ordinances, and Guidelines 1 

Special Studies and Planning Efforts 12 

Structural BMPs 1 

Coliform 

Bacteria 

Sweetwater 

Branch 

2711 

Fecal Coliform 

Wastewater Infrastructure Management 11 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 12 

For waterbodies where current scientific understanding contains large uncertainties, the BMAP 

includes focused studies expected to increase the understanding of impaired waterbodies and 

to support development of future management actions. For example, the development of 

Pollutant Load Reduction Goals (PLRGs) should significantly improve the understanding of 

nutrient sources to lakes. Management activities will be refined and new projects developed to 

reduce nutrient sources to the extent practical. 

Over 100 documented projects are contained in this BMAP to address elevated coliform levels 

and nutrient levels in specific basin creeks and lakes, respectively. Many of these projects are 

part of existing programs, but some were expanded in scope to address the TMDLs (see Table 

6.3) or undertaken for the sole purpose of supporting TMDL development and implementation 

(Table 6.2). Of the many management actions proposed in this BMAP, the following three 

projects are significant: 

1. Alachua County, the Alachua County Health Department (ACHD), the 

City of Gainesville, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU), Florida 

Department of Transportation (DOT), and DEP initiated a project to 

identify and remediate sources of fecal coliform bacteria in urban “hot 

spots” (areas with consistently high fecal counts). The selection of these 

hot spots was based on fecal coliform monitoring and initial MST activities 

in the basin. This project is expected to improve communication and 

coordination among the agencies responsible for wastewater and 

stormwater management and the remediation of problems. It is 

anticipated that the project will achieve significant localized reductions in 

fecal coliform levels, with related overall reductions in the urban creeks. 

2. The proposed Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration 

Project is a cooperative effort of local governments, City of Gainesville 

Public Works, GRU, DEP, DOT, the St. Johns River Water Management 

District (SJRWMD), and others. Its purpose is to return sheetflow to 

Paynes Prairie and, through the creation of a wetland treatment system, 

remove nutrients from water in Sweetwater Branch, which currently 

discharges into Alachua Sink. Feasibility studies and conceptual design 

plans have been completed. The project is in the early stages of design 

planning and requires substantial public funding and acquisition of land 

for its completion. The total nitrogen (TN) load reductions required of 

point sources identified in the Alachua Sink TMDL would be met when 

this project is completed. 

3. The SJRWMD is developing PLRGs for nutrients in Newnans Lake, 

Lochloosa Lake, and Orange Lake, with input from local stakeholders. 

PLRGs will identify major sources of nutrient pollutants in each lake that 

are currently not well-defined, aiding in the selection of management 

actions to reduce nutrient loadings. 

Document Organization 

Section 2.0 of the Orange Creek BMAP provides a background discussion of the region and 

targeted waterbodies. Section 3.0 describes the TMDLs in the basin. The process used to 

develop the Orange Creek BMAP, including a discussion of how the public and other 

stakeholders were encouraged to participate in developing the BMAP, is found in Section 4.0. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 13 

Allocation of pollutant reductions are discussed in Section 5.0. Section 6.0 describes the 

pollutant sources and management actions to achieve the TMDLs, including management 

actions that address future growth. This section is primarily organized by each BMAP 

waterbody. Monitoring activities (Section 7.0) to evaluate reasonable progress and tracking 

and follow-up actions (Section 8.0) are presented next. The signed commitment of the parties 

to implement and support the BMAP is shown in Section 9.0. Lastly, Section 10.0 presents 

detailed tables describing the water quality improvement projects to which stakeholders have 

committed in this BMAP. 

The Orange Creek BMAP includes or addresses the elements required by the FWRA (Chapter 

403.067, F.S), including the following: 

• Document how the public and other stakeholders were encouraged to 

participate or participated in developing the BMAP (Section 4.0), 

• Equitably allocate pollutant reductions within the basin (Section 5.0), 

• Identify the mechanisms by which potential future increases in pollutant 

loading will be addressed (Section 6.0), 

• Document management actions to achieve the TMDLs (Section 7.0), 

• Document the implementation schedule, funding, responsibilities, and 

milestones (Tables 10.1A through 10.9), and 

• Identify monitoring, evaluation, and a reporting strategy to evaluate 

reasonable progress over time (Section 7.0). 

2.0 Background 

The Orange Creek BMAP has been developed as part of DEP’s TMDL Program. DEP 

implements the TMDL Program using a watershed management approach. The approach 

applies a five-year rotating basin cycle, with each year of the cycle representing a different 

phase of the basin rotation cycle: (a) Initial Basin Assessment; (b) Strategic Monitoring; (c) 

Data Analysis and TMDL Development; (d) BMAP Development; and (e) BMAP Implementation. 

At the end of each five-year cycle, a new cycle begins for each group of basins. 

Regional Setting of Orange Creek Basin 

The Orange Creek Basin is located in Alachua County, including a significant part of the City of 

Gainesville, and northern Marion County and is part of the Ocklawaha River Basin (Figure 2.1). 

The Ocklawaha River Basin is a TMDL Group 1 Basin. The BMAP addresses seven Orange 

Creek Basin waterbodies verified as impaired. TMDLs have been established for each of these 

waterbodies: 

• Hogtown Creek, 

• Sweetwater Branch, 

• Tumblin Creek, 

• Alachua Sink, 

• Newnans Lake, 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 14 

• Orange Lake, and 

• Lake Wauberg. 

Figure 2.2 shows the locations of the TMDL waterbodies discussed in this document. 

Management actions addressing these TMDLs were included in one BMAP. This approach was 

taken for the following reasons: the connectedness of the TMDL waterbodies facilitated more 

efficient use of local government expertise, the commonality of problems and expected sources, 

and several local pollution control programs and maintenance and operation activities apply to 

all waterbodies. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 15 

FIGURE 2.1. OCKLAWAHA RIVER BASIN SHOWING LOCATION OF THE ORANGE CREEK BASIN
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 16 

FIGURE 2.2 ORANGE CREEK BASIN BMAP WATERBODIES
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 17 

3.0 Total Maximum Daily Loads in the Orange Creek Basin 

TMDLs, which DEP adopts by rule, establish the maximum amount of specific pollutants that a 

waterbody can assimilate while maintaining water quality standards, including designated uses. 

All surface waters in the Orange Creek Basin are designated as Class III waters in accordance 

with Rule 62-302, F.A.C., defined as having suitable water quality for recreational use and for 

the propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. 

TMDLs quantify the pollutant reductions that are needed to achieve water quality targets, based 

on state water quality standards. A TMDL is expressed as the sum of all point source loads, 

nonpoint source loads, and an appropriate margin of safety (MOS), which takes into account 

uncertainty about the relationship between effluent limitations and water quality. 

TMDLs are developed by DEP for specific pollutants (such as total nitrogen [TN], total 

phosphorus [TP], fecal coliform bacteria, and others) in specific waterbodies. To establish a 

TMDL, DEP assesses each impaired waterbody, the pollutant(s) contributing to the impairment, 

the amount of pollutant(s) entering the waterbody during a specified period, and the degree to 

which those pollutant loads must be reduced to meet the TMDL water quality target. DEP uses 

computer modeling and statistical evaluations as part of the assessment process. DEP 

determines the level of pollutant(s) that each waterbody can receive while maintaining its goal of 

Class III designated use and criteria, and identifies the corresponding pollutant reduction 

needed to achieve the TMDL. 

Within the Orange Creek Basin, TP, TN, and fecal coliform bacteria were identified as the 

primary pollutants causing impairment. In 2003, DEP adopted TMDLs for six of the impaired 

waterbodies in the Orange Creek Basin and, in 2006, adopted the Alachua Sink TMDL. Table 

3.1 lists the adopted TMDLs. Details on all Orange Creek Basin TMDLs can be found in the 

following resources: 

• Newnans Lake: Gao, X., and D. Gilbert (2003), 

• Orange Lake: Gao, X., and D. Gilbert (2003), 

• Lake Wauberg: Wu, T., A. Baniukiewicz, and D. Gilbert (2003), 

• Hogtown Creek: Shelley, Z., and W. Magley (2003), 

• Tumblin Creek: Shelley, Z., and W. Magley (2003), 

• Sweetwater Branch: Burger, C., and W. Magley (2003), and 

• Alachua Sink: Gao, X., D. Gilbert, and W. Magley (2006). 

A TMDL was drafted for Lochloosa Lake, but the adoption of the TMDL was deferred due to the 

lack of supporting data and information needed for its completion. Regardless, the Orange 

Creek BWG chose to evaluate possible management actions to decrease nutrient loading to 

Lochloosa Lake because of the potential improvement in water quality that could result in 

Lochloosa Lake and in downstream Orange Lake. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 18 

TABLE 3.1. TMDLS 

ADDRESSED IN THE 

ORANGE 

CREEK 

BASIN

WASTELOAD 

ALLOCATION

TMDL

CATEGORY

WATERBODY

WBID 

PARAMETER

TMDL

BASELINE 

LOADING

(LBS/YEAR) 

TMDL 

(LBS/YEAR) WASTEWATER

(LBS/YEAR) 

NPDES

STORMWATER

(% REDUCTION) 

LO

ALLOC

(LBS/

Newnans Lake TN 315,510 85,470 3,104 - 82,

2705B TP 25,732 10,924 386 - 10,

Orange Lake 

2749A TP 27,889 15,262 - - 15,

Lake Wauberg TN 4,064 2,062.4 - - 2,0

2741 TP 748 374 - - 3

Nutrients 

Alachua Sink 

2720A TN 462,557 256,322 41,003 45% 215

WASTELOAD 

ALLOCATION

TMDL

CATEGORY

WATERBODY

WBID 

PARAMETER

TMDL

BASELINE 

LOADING

(COUNTS /

100

ML) 

TMDL 

(COUNTS /

100

ML) 

WASTEWATER(COUNTS/DAY) 

NPDES

STORMWATER

(% REDUCTION) 

LO

ALLOC

(COUNT

OR 

REDU

Hogtown Creek 

2698 

Fecal 

Coliform 1,633 800 - 51% 51

Tumblin Creek 

2718A 

Fecal 

Coliform Coliform 3,077 800 - 74% 74

Sweetwater Branch 

2711 

Fecal 

Coliform 2,667 800 2.27E + 11 70% 70

Notes: WBID – Waterbody identification number; lbs – Pounds; mL – Milliliter; - – Not applicable; NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination S
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 19 

During the second rotation of the basin management cycle in the Orange Creek Basin, DEP 

will be collecting new water quality data, identifying additional impaired waters, and 

developing additional TMDLs. This may necessitate the revision of the BMAP in the future 

to accommodate new TMDL waterbodies and/or pollutants. 

4.0 BMAP Development Process 

The BMAP process was structured to achieve cooperation and consensus among a broad 

range of interested parties. The process promoted the engagement of local stakeholders in 

a coordinated and collaborative manner to address the reductions of loadings of nutrients 

and bacteria needed to achieve the Orange Creek Basin TMDLs. It built upon existing water 

quality improvement programs and local partnerships, such as the Gainesville Clean Water 

Partnership, to address water quality problems. 

Meaningful public involvement was a key component of the Orange Creek BMAP 

development process. In October 2004, DEP convened the Orange Creek BWG, 

comprising representatives of local, regional, state, business, and community interests, to 

develop a BMAP to achieve the TMDLs for the basin. Stakeholders established one BWG 

and created three subcommittees to address specific issues: Lakes/Forestry, Monitoring, 

and Public Education and Outreach. Members of the BWG comprise these subgroups. 

The BWG took a consensus-based, collaborative approach when making decisions on the 

content of the BMAP. The BWG agreed to make every effort to develop proposals that all 

members could support. 

The members of the BWG met nearly monthly from October 2004 through June 2007, with 

subsequent meetings in August and September 2007. As discussion with BWG members 

proceeded to a point where decisions about the specific responsibilities of each partner 

were discussed, meetings were formally noticed in the Florida Administrative Weekly. 

In addition to the BWG, a number of focused briefings and general public meetings were 

held to discuss the BMAP. Table 4.1 summarizes the Orange Creek BWG structure, 

membership, and these broader public involvement efforts. Groups or organizations 

contacted included the Gainesville Water Management Committee, Alachua County 

Environmental Protection Advisory Committee, Eastside Garden Club, Suwannee St. Johns 

Sierra Club, Women for Wise Growth, and Sustainable Alachua County. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 20 

TABLE 4.1. BASIN WORKING GROUP ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

BASIN WORKING GROUP (BWG) 

Function: 

• Develop a consensus-based BMAP to implement TMDLs in the Orange Creek Basin. 

• Has final decision-making role on BMAP development. 

Makeup: 

• Alachua County (Environmental Protection 

Department, Public Works, and 

Environmental Protection Advisory 

Committee) 

• Marion County 

• City of Gainesville 

• Town of McIntosh 

• Gainesville Regional Utilities 

• Gainesville Clean Water Partnership 

• Gainesville Water Management Committee 

• University of Florida 

• St. Johns River Water Management District 

Meetings/Workshops Held: 

Generally monthly meetings were held from 

October 2004 through June 2007, with 

subsequent meetings held in August and 

September 2007. 

• Florida Department of Transportation 

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 

(includes Division of Forestry) 

• Alachua County Health Department, Florida Department of 

Health 

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

• Plum Creek Timber Company 

• Florida Forestry Association 

• Women for Wise Growth 

• Sustainable Alachua County 

• Sierra Club 

CITIZEN INPUT 

Function: 

• Ensure that all interested parties are involved and heard in the TMDL process. 

• Ensure the broad dissemination of TMDL information and the BMAP. 

• Allow for the public discussion of issues and strategies.

Makeup: 

• Interested parties and the public at large. Sierra Club, Women for Wise Growth, Sustainable Alachua County, 

and Eastside Garden Club invited. 

Public Meetings/Workshops held: 

• November 7, 2007 

Note: 

Several interested citizens also attended the BWG meetings regularly. 

SPECIAL BRIEFINGS/PRESENTATIONS 

Function: 

• To brief councils, commissions, special interest groups, community organizations, and others on the TMDL 

process and the progress of the BWG, as requested or needed. 

Meetings/Workshops held: 

• Gainesville Water Management Advisory Committee/Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory 

Committee – July 25, 2006, and October 25, 2007 

• Gainesville Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee – July 26, 2005, and November 1, 2007 

• Alachua County Community Planning Group – November 6, 2007 

• Alachua County Rural Concerns Citizens Committee – November 15, 2007 

• SJRWMD Governing Board’s Projects and Lands Committee – December 10, 2007 

Makeup: 

• Affected and/or interested elected bodies, organizations, and other groups in the basin. 

COMMISSION BRIEFINGS

Local Government Commission Briefings: 

Alachua County: June 22, 2004, and December 11, 2007 

Marion County: December 4, 2007 

City of Gainesville: June 14, 2004, and December 10, 2007 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 21 

5.0 Pollutant Reduction Allocations 

The objective of a TMDL is to determine acceptable loads among anthropogenic pollutant 

sources in a watershed so that appropriate control measures can be implemented and 

meaningful progress can be made toward achieving water quality standards. 

Under the FWRA (Subsection 403.067[7], F.S.), the TMDL allocation may be an “initial” 

pollutant allocation among point and nonpoint sources. In such cases, the further allocation 

to specific point sources and specific categories of nonpoint sources is established in a 

BMAP. The FWRA further states that the BMAP may make detailed allocations to individual 

“basins” (i.e., sub-basins) or to all basins as a whole, as appropriate. Both initial and 

detailed allocations must be determined based on a number of factors listed in the FWRA, 

including cost-benefit, technical and environmental feasibility, implementation time frames, 

feasible funding strategy, and others. 

The Orange Creek BWG agreed that it would be appropriate to use the initial allocations 

adopted as part of each TMDL. The following factors were considered in making this 

decision. 

• Only two major point sources are identified in the TMDL wasteload 

allocations for nutrients: domestic wastewater (GRU) and municipal 

stormwater discharge. Municipal stormwater discharges also have 

allocations in the bacteria TMDLs. Allocations to these sources were 

adequately documented in the TMDL. 

• Uncertainty about the sources of both fecal coliform bacteria and 

nutrients requires further source investigation to determine whether it 

is necessary and feasible to allocate specific responsibility among 

nonpoint sources. Formulating allocations more detailed than those 

adopted in the TMDLs, particularly for bacteria, would be speculative 

with the current data and information available. 

• The SJRWMD is developing PLRGs for Newnans Lake, Lochloosa 

Lake, and Orange Lake that should provide additional information on 

major sources of nutrient pollutants and allowable loadings. Once 

developed, the PLRGs will help identify where reductions can be 

made. 

• Although local governments and DOT have independent permit 

responsibilities, the interconnectedness of their stormwater 

infrastructure requires local municipal separate storm sewer system 

(MS4) permittees to cooperate closely to meet their permit 

responsibilities. Therefore, the BWG did not assign responsibility for 

reductions to the specific entities that share common stormwater 

infrastructure. This cooperation occurs in part through the Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership between the City of Gainesville, DOT, and 

Alachua County. Together the partnership shares NPDES permit 

responsibilities. The partnership also cooperates in implementing 

TMDL projects. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 22 

6.0 Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 

The Orange Creek BMAP contains a series of current and planned management actions, 

identified by local entities, whose purpose is to manage loadings of nutrients (lakes and 

Alachua Sink) and fecal coliform (streams). The management actions (completed, ongoing, 

and planned) identified in the BMAP are targeted at addressing both the pollutant loads from 

historical, current, and estimated future sources associated with basin population growth 

and the resulting land use changes. 

This section begins with some general assumptions and considerations, a description of 

quantifiable nutrient and fecal coliform bacteria reductions, and BMAP implementation costs. 

Next, the impact of future growth is discussed. The remainder of the section describes the 

waterbodies, the pollutant sources, and the management actions completed, under way, or 

planned to achieve the TMDL. 

BMAP Assumptions and Considerations 

The water quality benefits of BMAP implementation are based on some fundamental 

assumptions and considerations, as follows: 

• Multiparameter Impacts – Actions in this BMAP that decrease fecal 

coliform will also decrease nutrients. 

• Unquantified Project Impacts – Some of the projects and activities 

contained in the BMAP cannot be quantified with regard to the 

reductions in coliform or nutrients they might achieve. However, 

because of their positive project impact, it is assumed that these 

actions will help reduce pollutant loads. 

• Source Identification – Fecal coliform impairment sources are 

particularly difficult to trace. For this reason, source identification 

studies are included as management actions. 

• Future Growth – Based on U.S. Census Bureau data gathered and 

evaluated through the BMAP process, basinwide future growth 

predicted through 2015 is not expected to substantially increase 

pollutant loads. However, emerging growth patterns in the East 

Gainesville area of the basin indicate that Census predictions may not 

adequately reflect the changes in land use that could occur in that 

area or other localized parts of the basin with large tracts of 

undeveloped land. It is uncertain to what extent future growth in these 

more localized areas will increase pollutant loads. There are 

programs in place to ensure that the possible effects are reduced, but 

extra effort may be needed. 

• Water Quality Issues – This BMAP addresses water quality issues in 

the basin for which impairments were identified at the start of the 

BMAP process. Other water quality issues (e.g., erosion control, 

hazardous waste, etc.) are addressed through programs other than 

the TMDL Program. 

• Implementation Schedule – BMAP implementation will be a longterm process. While many of the projects and activities contained in 

the BMAP are recently completed or currently ongoing, key projects 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 23 

and studies may extend beyond the first five-year BMAP cycle. 

Therefore, TMDLs established for the basin will not necessarily be 

achieved in the near term. Regular follow-up and continued BWG 

activity will ensure that management actions are carried out and that 

their incremental effects are assessed. As each five-year basin cycle 

is completed and more information is gathered, additional 

management actions to achieve TMDLs will be developed. 

Management Action Overview 

As part of this BMAP, stakeholders have committed to a wide variety of management 

actions. Activities fall into several categories, as follows: 

• Public education and outreach, 

• Wastewater infrastructure management, maintenance, repair, and 

upgrade (sewer and septic systems), 

• Stormwater permit program implementation, 

• Structural stormwater best management practices (BMPs), 

• Agriculture and silviculture BMPs, 

• Land acquisition (conservation and BMP), 

• A fecal coliform bacteria “hot spot” program, 

• Restoration and water quality improvements, and 

• Special studies and planning efforts. 

Table 6.1 summarizes which stakeholders are actively involved in particular types of 

management actions. In addition to these activities, stakeholders are also implementing 

regulations, policies, and procedures to minimize pollutant loads to impaired waters in the 

Orange Creek Basin. The Orange Creek Basin BMAP Supporting Document contains 

descriptions of stakeholder programs. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 24 

TABLE 6.1. SUMMARY OF 

ORANGE 

CREEK BMAP

CATEGORIES, BY 

STAKEHOLDER

BMAP Management Action Categories 

Stakeholders 

Public Education 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management (Sewer 

and Septic Systems) 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Agriculture and 

Silviculture BMPs 

Conservation / BMP 

Land Acquisition 

Bacteria “Hot Spot” 

Program 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

City of Gainesville * * * * * * * 

• Significant inv

stormwater inretrofits 

• Partner in Sw

Prairie Sheetf

• Conservation • Partner in urb

project 

Alachua County * * * * * * * 

• Ambient surfa

citizen complaillicit dischargimplementatioManagement implementatioalong with ed

• Conservation • Partner in Sw

Prairie Sheetf

• Partner in urb

project 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 25 

TABLE 6.1. (CONTINUED) 

BMAP Management Action Categories 

Stakeholders 

Public Education 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management (Sewer 

and Septic Systems) 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Agriculture and 

Silviculture BMPs 

Conservation / BMP 

Land Acquisition 

Bacteria “Hot Spot” 

Program 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Marion County * * * * * 

• Marion Count

responsible foeducation and investigation for constructioof watershed water quality those issues, monitoring fomaintain coun

• Clean Farms • Marion Count

Alachua County Health Department * 

*

septic 

systems 

 * * 

• Investigate fa

appropriate c

• Issue new, re

system permiAdministrative 

• Partner in Sw

Prairie Sheetf

• Partner in urb

project 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 26 

TABLE 6.1. (CONTINUED) 

BMAP Management Action Categories 

Stakeholders 

Public Education 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management (Sewer 

and Septic Systems) 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Agriculture and 

Silviculture BMPs 

Conservation / BMP 

Land Acquisition 

Bacteria “Hot Spot” 

Program 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Gainesville Regional Utilities * * 

Sanitary 

sewer 

system only 

 * * * 

• Sewer line ins• Asset manag• New construc

programs to mstandards and 

• Spill preventio• Achieved was

(based on vo

• Spill rate, for 

national avera

• Initiated comp

tracking study 

• Partner in urb

project. Involportions of the 

• Partner in Sw

Prairie Sheetf

Gainesville Clean Water Partnership City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and Florida Department of Transportation

* * * * 

• Unique to Ora• Dedicated to 

healthy water

• Provides foun

BMP implemeand other pol
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 27 

TABLE 6.1. (CONTINUED) 

BMAP Management Action Categories 

Stakeholders 

Public Education 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management (Sewer 

and Septic Systems) 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Agriculture and 

Silviculture BMPs 

Conservation / BMP 

Land Acquisition 

Bacteria “Hot Spot” 

Program 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

St. Johns River Water Management District 

* * * * 

• Watershed Ac

Program 

• Conservation • PLRG develo

Lochloosa Lamajor source 

• Partner in Sw

Prairie Sheetf

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Private Landowners 

* * • Container nur

manuals adop

• Development 

progress 

Florida Division of Forestry and Private Landowners 

* * 

• Silviculture in

in implementasilviculture op

• Significant pa

program has 

Florida Department of Transportation * * * * * • Extensive sto

have been coroad mainten
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 28 

TABLE 6.1. (CONTINUED) 

BMAP Management Action Categories 

Stakeholders 

Public Education 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management (Sewer 

and Septic Systems) 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Agriculture and 

Silviculture BMPs 

Conservation / BMP 

Land Acquisition 

Bacteria “Hot Spot” 

Program 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

* * • Aquatic plant 

wildlife issues 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

* * * * * 

• Funding supp• Invasive aqua• Paynes Prairi• Partner in urb

project as fun
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 29 

Management Actions 

Management actions are the activities or projects that BWG members are implementing to 

reduce pollutant loadings in TMDL waterbodies. Tables 10.1 through 10.9, listed below and 

located at the end of Section 10.0, provide details of the management actions proposed by the 

BWG to address the TMDLs in the basin. Management actions were grouped in a table by 

category of activity. Within each table, projects are organized by the waterbodies or geographic 

area to which the management actions apply. The tables include a description of each project, 

the lead entity/project partners, cost and funding source(s), schedule, and anticipated benefits 

and load reductions (if known). 

Table 10.1A. Structural BMPs—Quantifiable Load Reductions 

Table 10.1B. Structural BMPs—Load Reductions Not Currently Quantified 

Table 10.2. Agricultural BMPs 

Table 10.3. Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Projects 

Table 10.4. Regulations, Ordinances, and Guidelines 

Table 10.5. Special Studies and Planning Efforts 

Table 10.6. Education and Outreach Efforts 

Table 10.7. Basic Stormwater Management Program Implementation 

Table 10.8. Conservation Land Acquisition / BMP Land Acquisition 

Table 10.9. Wastewater Infrastructure Management, Maintenance, Repair, and Upgrade 

Where data were available, the tables list the net estimated nutrient load reductions expected 

from a management action. Only a small number of structural projects were quantifiable. As 

future management actions are implemented, nutrient load reductions will be quantified to the 

extent that data are available. 

Management actions proposed in this BMAP to decrease fecal coliform loads to urban creeks 

(e.g., public education regarding pet waste management) are not conducive to quantitative load 

reduction estimates. As such, the benefits of coliform management actions were largely 

evaluated on a qualitative basis. 

Cost information is provided for each project listed in the tables. Where the cost of a project 

could not be adequately defined, it is indicated as unavailable in the tables. Costs for some 

projects may not be fully developed and are currently unknown. Costs for maintenance and 

operation activities are generally not accounted for on an individual waterbody basis, but rather 

cover larger areas that include many waterbodies. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 30 

Local Initiatives and Programs 

Management actions undertaken by local stakeholders in response to the adoption of 

TMDLs included both new projects or activities or expansion or revision of existing programs 

or projects. 

BWG members added new projects or programs to better address the understanding of 

water quality impairments or improvements in water quality required by the TMDLs (Table 

6.2). Studies undertaken by DEP to investigate the influence of ground water inputs into 

Orange Lake, Newnans Lake, and Lochloosa Lake, the fecal coliform bacteria hot spot 

initiative, and investigations by the ACHD into the contributions from OSTDSs in Tumblin 

Creek, Sweetwater Branch, and Hogtown Creek were the direct result of the adoption of 

TMDLs. The Alachua Sink TMDL generated a number of studies that addressed the 

feasibility of restoring Paynes Prairies wetlands by returning sheetflow across the Prairie 

rather than discharge of water from Sweetwater Branch into Alachua Sink. 

Many of the projects that members of the BWG identified for incorporation in the BMAP were 

part of existing programs but were expanded in scope to help address the TMDLs (Table 

6.3). Water quality monitoring efforts were expanded to aid TMDL development. The 

SJRWMD’s development of PLRGs for the lakes and more detailed nutrient source 

identification were expanded in effort as a result of the TMDLs. MST activities and 

additional bacterial monitoring performed by GRU and Alachua County were expanded to 

support TMDL implementation. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 31 

TABLE 6.2. NEW 

PROJECTS 

PROPOSED BY BWG

MEMBERS THAT 

ADDRESS TMDL

S

Project Number – 

Project Name 

WBID / 

Waterbody 

Name 

Lead Entity Management Category Project Number – Project Name WBID / Waterbody Name Lead E

HOG15 - Evaluation of 

Residential Septic 

Systems along 

Hogtown and Possum 

Creeks 

2698 / 

Hogtown 

Creek 

ACHD, 

Environmental 

Health Section 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

OCB01 - Community 

Based Social 

Marketing Workshop 

Hydrologic Unit 

Code (HUC) 

03080102 / 

Orange Creek 

Basin 

Sustain

Alachua C

DEP; C

Gaines

Alachua C

WAU01 - Evaluation of 

Septic Systems 

Surrounding Lake 

Wauberg 

2741 / Lake 

Wauberg 

ACHD, 

Environmental 

Health Section 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

NEW08 - Ground 

Water–Surface Water 

Interaction Study, 

Newnans Lake 

Newnans Lake / 

2705B DE

LOCH07 - Ground 

Water – Surface Water 

Interaction Study 

Lochloosa Lake Area, 

Alachua and Marion 

Counties, Florida 

2749; 2738A 

/ Orange 

Lake; 

Lochloosa 

Lake 

DEP 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

BACTERIA16 - 

Evaluation of Fecal 

Coliform Bacteria 

"Hot Spots" in 

Gainesville Urban 

Creeks 

2718A; 2711; 

2698 / Tumblin 

Creek; 

Sweetwater 

Branch; Hogtown 

Creek 

DEP; AC

City 

Gaines

Public W

GRU; A

S04 - Expanded 

Nutrient Monitoring 

Alachua Sink / 

Alachua 

Sink / 

2720A 

Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) / -- 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

AS13 - Gainesville 

Regional Utilities 

Reclaimed Water 

Master Plan / 

Alachua Sink / 2720A GRU 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 32 

TABLE 6.2. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number – 

Project Name 

WBID / 

Waterbody 

Name 

Lead Entity Management Category Project Number – Project Name WBID / Waterbody Name Lead E

AS05 - Feasibility 

Analysis of Sweetwater 

Branch Sheetflow 

Restoration Project at 

Paynes Prairie 

Preserve State Park, 

Alachua County, 

Florida / 

Alachua Sink / 2720A 

City of 

Gainesville 

Public Works 

and GRU / 

DEP Parks 

and Recreation 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

AS15 - Paynes 

Prairie Sheetflow 

Restoration 

Conceptual Plan / 

Alachua Sink / 

2720A 

City 

Gaines

GRU / 

Division o

and Recr

SJRW

AS11 - Alachua Sink 

Intensive Study and 

Main Street Water 

Reclamation Facility 

(WRF) Water Reuse 

Feasibility / 

Alachua Sink / 2720A GRU / -- 

Special 

Studies and 

Planning 

Efforts 

AS16 - Paynes 

Prairie Sheetflow 

Restoration 

Evaluation of Main 

Street WRF 

Upgrades 

Alachua Sink / 

2720A GRU 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 33 

TABLE 6.3. PROJECTS PROPOSED BY BWG MEMBERS THAT WERE ENHANCED TO ADDRESS TMDLS

Project Number – 

Project Name 

WBID / Waterbody 

Name Lead Entity / Project Partners Management Category 

AS04 - Expanded 

Nutrient Monitoring 

Alachua Sink 

2720A / Alachua 

Sink ACEPD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

HAT01 - Expanded 

Coliform and Iron 

Monitoring 

2688 / Hatchet 

Creek 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of 

Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership) 

 Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

OR06 - Equine 

BMPs 

2749; 2738A; 2754; 

2705B / Orange 

Lake; Newnans 

Lake; Lochloosa 

Lake; Cross Creek 

DACS’ Office of Agricultural Water 

Policy (OAWP) / Private landowners Agriculture BMPs 

NUTRIENT06 - 

Cow/Calf BMPs 

2749; 2738A; 2754; 

2705B / Orange 

Lake; Newnans 

Lake; Lochloosa 

Lake; Cross Creek 

DACS’ OAWP / Private landowners Agriculture BMPs 

NUTRIENT03 - 

Silviculture BMP 

Implementation and 

Compliance 

2749; 2738A; 2754; 

2705B / Orange 

Lake; Newnans 

Lake; Lochloosa 

Lake; Cross Creek 

DACS’ Division of Forestry / SJRWMD; 

Private landowners Agriculture BMPs 

SWT18 - Expanded 

Nutrient Monitoring 

Sweetwater Branch 

2711 / Sweetwater 

Branch ACEPD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

BACTERIA02 - 

Fecal Coliform 

Source Assessment 

2718A; 2711 / 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Hogtown Creek ; 

2698 / 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of 

Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership) 

Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

BACTERIA03 - 

Coliform Wet and 

Dry Season 

Assessment 

2718A; 2711; 2698 / 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Hogtown Creek 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of 

Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership) 

Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

BACTERIA04 - 

Expanded Fecal 

Coliform Bacteria 

Monitoring 

2718A; 2711; 2698 / 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Hogtown Creek 

ACEPD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

BACTERIA06 - 

Optical Brighteners 

2718A; 2711; 2698 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Hogtown Creek / 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of 

Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership) 

Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 34 

TABLE 6.3. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number – 

Project Name 

WBID / Waterbody 

Name Lead Entity / Project Partners Management Category 

NEW10 – Spatial 

Nutrient Loading 

Dynamics in the 

Newnans Lake 

Watershed 

2688; 2705B; 2728 / 

Newnans Lake SJRWMD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

LOCH01 – 

Development of 

Pollutant Load 

Reduction Goals 

(PLRGs) for 

Lochloosa Lake 

2738A; 2754 / 

Lochloosa Lake; 

Cross Creek 

SJRWMD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

ORO01 – 

Development of 

Pollutant Load 

Reduction Goals 

(PLRGs) for 

Orange Lake 

2749 / Orange Lake SJRWMD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

NEW01 – 

Development of 

Pollutant Load 

Reduction Goals 

(PLRGs) for 

Newnans Lake 

2705B / Newnans 

Lake SJRWMD Special Studies and Planning Efforts 

NEW09 – Nutrient 

Loading Estimation 

during Storm Event 

2688; 2705B; 2728 / 

Newnans Lake; 

Lochloosa Lake 

SJRWMD Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

SWT30 - In-stream 

Bioassessments in 

the Hogtown Creek, 

Sweetwater 

Branch, Tumblin 

Creek, Little 

Hatchet Creek, 

Hatchet Creek, and 

Lake Forest Creek 

Watersheds 

2698; 2711; 2718A; 

2695; 2688; 2709 / 

Hogtown Creek; 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Little Hatchet Creek; 

Hatchet Creek; and 

Lake Forest Creek 

DOT, District 2, Alachua County and 

ACEPD, City of Gainesville, (Gainesville 

Clean Water Partnership) 

Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

BACTERIA05 - 

Microbial Source 

Tracking Study 

Tumblin Creek; 

Sweetwater Branch; 

Hogtown Creek / 

2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 35 

Agricultural and forestry BMPs are developed for statewide implementation. However, as a 

result of the adoption of TMDLs, DACS is strengthening programs that educate private 

landowners about BMPs, assist them with implementation, and verify their compliance. DACS 

has BMP projects and programs in place to address current and future agricultural loadings to 

impaired waters. In cooperation with local agricultural operators, these programs will help 

decrease nutrient loads from agricultural activities in the basin. Specific management actions 

for impaired waters are described in the Orange Creek BMAP Supporting Document. 

To meet the intent of the FWRA with regard to agriculture, DACS’ OAWP will adopt BMP 

manuals for cow/calf, equine, and sod operations. OAWP staff will focus efforts on enrolling 

cow/calf and equine producers to implement BMPs and will provide educational, cost-share, and 

technical assistance to producers as funding allows. The OAWP will work with DEP to verify the 

effectiveness of priority cow/calf and equine BMPs. 

DACS’ Division of Forestry will continue to implement the Silviculture BMP Program, including 

outreach for nonindustrial silviculture landowners, and other educational efforts. Most of the 

commercial silviculture acreage in the basin is managed by large industrial operators, all of 

whom participate in the Division of Forestry BMP implementation program. These BMPs 

establish minimum standards for protecting and maintaining water quality and wildlife habitat 

during forestry activities and were adopted as rule under Section 51-6.002, F.A.C. The Division 

of Forestry routinely performs biennial compliance inspections of BMPs. As part of this BMAP, 

the inspection rate in the basin was increased to annually. 

Local governments also implement operation and maintenance programs to promote long-term 

infrastructure function and integrity. Examples are provided in the following paragraphs. 

GRU wastewater collection system operations and maintenance costs were $1.82 million for 

fiscal year (FY) 2007. This expenditure funds the following types of activities: 

• Closed-Circuit TV Inspection/Repair and Cleaning, 

• Infiltration & Inflow (I & I) Testing, 

• Sliplining of Gravity Mains Adjacent to Urban Creeks, 

• Force Main Integrity Testing, 

• GIS Asset Management System – Mapping and Targeted Maintenance, 

• Plan Review and New Development Inspection – Redundancy, 

Oversizing, and New Standard Practices to Improve Reliability, 

• Annual Water/Wastewater Engineering Operation and Maintenance 

Services, and 

• Wastewater Spill Prevention Programs. 

Through its operation and maintenance activities, GRU has achieved a wastewater delivery 

efficiency rate (based on volume) approaching 100%, and for the 2004–07 period maintained a 

spill rate of less than 25% of the national average. These are significant achievements that 

benefit all waterbodies within the GRU service area. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 36 

Alachua County, Marion County, the City of Gainesville, University of Florida (UF), and DOT 

have routine operations and maintenance programs that manage pollutant loads through 

pollution prevention activities. Regular street sweeping to remove dirt and debris and the 

maintenance of swales are examples of pollution prevention activities practiced by local 

governments. Many of their activities are covered under MS4 NPDES stormwater permits and 

at a minimum cover the detection and elimination of illicit discharges; construction site sediment 

and erosion control; post construction runoff control; pollution prevention/good housekeeping; 

and public education, outreach, and participation. 

Alachua County and the City of Gainesville have developed BMPs for municipal goodhousekeeping activities, including street cleaning, hazardous materials storage, fleet 

management, and stormwater collection system cleaning. Table 10.7 provides more complete 

project descriptions. 

The ACHD permits the installation and repair of septic systems. After the ACHD has approved 

a septic system, the property owner is responsible for maintaining it. The ACHD has statutory 

authority to enforce corrective actions on failing or improperly maintained septic systems. 

Additional information about local government operation and maintenance programs may also 

be obtained from the Orange Creek Basin BMAP Supporting Document. 

Managing Pollutant Loads from Future Growth 

As required by the FWRA, nutrient and fecal coliform loadings associated with future growth 

were considered as part of the BMAP. These estimates were based on anticipated population 

growth in the basin obtained from U.S. Census Bureau data gathered and evaluated through the 

BMAP process. Basinwide, future growth predicted through 2015 is not expected to 

substantially increase pollutant loads. However, emerging growth patterns in East Gainesville, 

particularly the Newnans Lake sub-basin, indicate that Census predictions may not adequately 

reflect the changes in land use that could occur in that area or other localized parts of the basin. 

There are programs in place to ensure that the possible effects are reduced, but extra caution in 

future permitting may be needed in specific locations within the basin. 

The management actions considered by stakeholders include a number of activities that 

proactively address pollutant loadings from new development (or redevelopment) through 

regulations, ordinances, or guidelines. The application of Low Impact Development (LID) 

principles is a key management action being advanced and used by stakeholders to offset the 

effects of future growth. LID is an approach to land development that uses various land 

planning and design practices and technologies to simultaneously protect natural resource 

systems and reduce infrastructure costs. Key LID principles include the following: 

• Incorporation of small-scale stormwater treatment systems integrated at 

the lot level, 

• Increased infiltration, 

• Reduction of impervious surfaces, 

• Preservation/protection of environmentally sensitive features, and 

• Use of multiple strategies (i.e., treatment train). 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 37 

Innovative stormwater management strategies are a significant component of LID. The basic 

concept is to manage runoff at the source with decentralized techniques that replicate a site's 

predevelopment hydrology. These design techniques infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and 

detain runoff close to its source. LID is a versatile approach that can be applied to new 

development, urban retrofits, and redevelopment/revitalization projects. Table 6.4 lists local 

examples. 

Key components that are part of LID design are as follows: 

• Site design (clustering, decreasing impervious surfaces, disconnected 

impervious areas), 

• Swales and filter strips, 

• Porous pavements, 

• Green roofs, 

• Bioretention areas (i.e., rain gardens), 

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping (including local Florida Yards & 

Neighborhoods workshops and outreach programs), 

• Buffers, and 

• Education and outreach (e.g., Marion County LID Workshop on April 5, 

2007; Alachua County’s LID and the Benefit to Water Quality Workshop 

on March 22, 2007). 

TABLE 6.4. LOCAL LID EXAMPLES IN THE ORANGE CREEK BASIN

Site/Development Location LID Techniques 

Madera Idyllwild Seronola Area, 

SW Williston Road 

Swales, no curbs, narrow roads, limited land 

clearing, native vegetated landscapes, use of natural 

drainage, green construction materials 

Hillside Villas SW Hawthorne Road Exfiltration vault under volleyball court 

UF Buildings: 

Mary Ann Cofrin-Harn 

Pavilion 

UF Orthopedics Surgery & 

Sports Medicine Institute 

Rinker Hall 

UF Campus 

Roof runoff directed to cisterns for storage and slow 

ground water recharge, native vegetation used for 

landscaping, and other practices. 

Residence Inn 

SW 40th Boulevard (east 

of I-75 and north of Archer 

Road) 

Exfiltration vaults (Atlantis Rain tank) under parking 

area to supplement stormwater basin as open space 

Comfort Suites 

Idylwild/Serenola SAS, 

SW 13th Street north of 

Williston Road 

Exfiltration vaults (Atlantis Rain tank) under parking 

area 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 38 

A number of other LID projects have been completed in the basin. Stakeholders intend to 

continue promoting LID principles, programs, and incentives to limit the pollutant loads 

associated with new development. 

Waterbody Assessments 

The next section is organized around the eight impaired waterbodies in the basin. For each 

waterbody there is a brief overview of the location and hydrology; the sources of pollutant 

loadings; the completed, ongoing, or planned management actions; key unknowns and future 

studies; and anticipated results from management actions. The urban creeks are discussed 

first, followed by Alachua Sink and the three lakes (Newnans, Wauberg, and Orange). 

Urban Creeks (Hogtown and Tumblin; Sweetwater Branch) 

Three creeks within the Orange Creek Basin are designated by DEP as impaired waters—

Hogtown and Tumblin Creeks and Sweetwater Branch—due to high levels of fecal coliform 

bacteria. Due to the similarities in coliform bacteria sources and management actions, these 

three urban creeks are discussed as a group in the next section. 

Hogtown and Tumblin Creeks and Sweetwater Branch 

Parameter Causing Impairment: Fecal Coliform 

Hogtown Creek is approximately 5.7 miles long and is located in the City of Gainesville (central 

Alachua County). It receives stormwater runoff from the City of Gainesville, which it discharges 

to the Floridan aquifer through Haile Sink. 

Approximately 65% of the land use in the Hogtown Creek watershed and surrounding Hogtown 

Prairie is characterized as low-density residential, 15% is commercial, and the remaining 20% is 

divided between mixed hardwood forest, forested wetlands, silvicultural, agricultural, and 

institutional uses (ACEPD, 2004). 

Tumblin Creek, also located in the City of Gainesville, is approximately 2.3 miles long. The 

creek flows to Bivens Arm Lake, whose outflow then travels to Paynes Prairie, where it enters 

the Floridan aquifer via the Primary Sink Feature adjacent to Alachua Sink. The Tumblin Creek 

watershed encompasses about 3.8 square miles of urban Gainesville. CH2M HILL (1985) 

reported 60% of this area to be impervious. The sub-basin is highly urbanized, except for the 

Bivens Arm floodplain, including some areas of development directly along the creek. 

Sweetwater Branch is an urban creek that flows through the City of Gainesville. Its watershed is 

mainly contained within the city limits. Approximately 2.8 miles long, it drains 3.3 square miles 

and is one of the smaller creeks in the Orange Creek Basin. It flows into Paynes Prairie 

Preserve State Park and ultimately discharges to the Floridan aquifer via the Primary Sink 

Feature adjacent to Alachua Sink. GRU’s Main Street WRF is the only permitted domestic 

wastewater discharge to Sweetwater Branch, and GRU’s J.R. Kelly Generating Station is the 

only permitted industrial wastewater facility. 

Census data gathered and evaluated through the BMAP process indicate that future growth 

predicted through 2015 is not expected to substantially increase pollutant loads in the Hogtown, 

Sweetwater, and Tumblin sub-basins. 

Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 39 

Elevated coliform counts are regularly observed in all three creeks throughout the year. 

Compared with the state standard of 800 counts/100mL, Tumblin Creek exceeded the standard 

75% of the time; Sweetwater, 48%; and Hogtown, 89% (Shelley and Magley, 2003; Burger and 

Magley, 2003). Potential sources of fecal coliform bacteria detected in the streams may come 

from many different places, including failing septic systems, leaks and overflows from sanitary 

sewer systems, illicit discharges of sanitary waste, runoff from the improper disposal of waste 

material, stormwater from developed areas, domestic pet waste, homeless populations, and 

wildlife populations. The secondary growth of coliform bacteria in stormwater systems and 

creek sediments may also contribute to persistent elevated fecal coliform levels. Current data 

shows that wastewater discharged from the Main Street WRF is not a significant source of fecal 

coliform bacteria. Additional studies are ongoing or are planned to continue to identify sources 

of fecal coliform bacteria. The source is important as it dictates the most effective management 

action to use.

Significant resources have been dedicated to identifying sources and reducing bacteria levels in 

the urban creeks. GRU and the ACEPD undertook several MST and optical brightener studies 

in an effort to better define the physical extent of the fecal coliform bacteria problem and identify 

potential sources. These studies were not conclusive in identifying the relative magnitude or 

specific location of bacteria sources throughout the urban creeks, but did provide adequate 

information to locate areas with consistently high fecal coliform counts and the presence or 

absence of human bacteria sources. The ACHD identified septic systems on properties 

adjacent to the creeks that potentially could contribute fecal coliform bacteria loading to the 

creeks. 

The BWG has completed or plans to implement a number of different management actions to 

reduce or manage the sources of fecal coliform bacteria to the urban creeks (Tables 6.5 and 

6.6). Tables 10.1 through 10.9 in Section 10.0 provide details on all projects, including the 

lead entity, project partners, cost and funding source(s), schedule, and anticipated benefits and 

load reductions (if known). 

Given the uncertainties inherent in addressing elevated fecal coliform levels, a combination of 

source prevention and additional data-gathering efforts is being taken under a phased approach 

to address coliform reductions. The basic approach is as follows: 

• Existing monitoring data and source identification projects were used to 

identify “hot spots.” 

• Primary fecal coliform sources will be investigated in each of these hot 

spots through the coordinated effort of Alachua County, GRU, the City of 

Gainesville, DOT, DEP, ACHD, and local residents to address all 

controllable sources of fecal coliform in one location in a short time before 

moving onto another priority area. 

• At the same time, individual fecal coliform load management projects will 

continue to be implemented. Examples are wastewater infrastructure 

maintenance and MS4 permit requirements for identifying illicit 

discharges. 

• Fecal coliform monitoring will continue to be used to help assess progress 

and guide the selection of future management actions. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 40 

TABLE 6.5. COMPLETED AND PLANNED PROJECTS TO REDUCE FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA LEVELS IN 

URBAN CREEKS AND PREVENT FUTURE DISCHARGES

Fecal 

Coliform 

Bacteria 

Source 

Management Action 

Category Anticipated Results Comments 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Identify priority locations 

for on-site wastewater 

rehabilitation. 

Example: ACHD septic system 

evaluation. 

Failing septic 

systems Public Education and 

Outreach 

Increase rate of septic 

tank clean-out and 

maintenance. 

Public education on proper septic 

tank management can lead to 

significant benefits in management of 

overflows and leaking tanks. 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management, 

Maintenance, Repair, 

or Upgrade 

Inspect and rehabilitate 

infrastructure to minimize 

the possibility of 

discharges into urban 

creeks. 

GRU has achieved a wastewater 

delivery efficiency rate (based on 

volume) approaching 100% and has 

maintained a spill rate of less than 

25% of the national average 

(2004–07). 

Leaks and 

overflows from 

sanitary sewer 

systems Cooperative Fecal 

Coliform Bacteria 

“Hot Spot” Project 

Decrease fecal coliform 

levels and increase 

pollution prevention 

activities in priority creeks. 

Unique, cooperative effort of Alachua 

County, City of Gainesville, GRU, 

DOT, and DEP that focuses on 

evaluation and remediation of 

locations with frequent high bacteria 

counts. 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Help identify location of 

illicit discharges and 

evaluate identification 

methods. 

Example: Optical brighteners study. 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient loadings. 

Includes education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 program 

implementation. 

Illicit 

discharges of 

sanitary waste 

Cooperative Fecal 

Coliform Bacteria 

“Hot Spot” Project 

Decrease fecal coliform 

levels and increase 

pollution prevention 

activities in priority creeks. 

Unique, cooperative effort of Alachua 

County, City of Gainesville, GRU, 

DOT, and DEP that focuses on 

evaluation and remediation of 

locations with frequent high bacteria 

counts. 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient loadings. 

Includes education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 program 

implementation. 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Reduce fecal coliform 

levels in stormwater. 

Example: 39th Avenue basin 

rehabilitation, hydrodynamic 

separators, Spring Hill Stormwater 

Park. 

Stormwater 

from 

developed 

areas 

Special Studies and 

Planning Actions 

Evaluate technologies to 

decrease stormwater fecal 

coliform levels to support 

better future decision 

making. 

Example: Inlet protection pilot 

project, Tumblin Creek Watershed 

Management Plan update. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 41 

TABLE 6.5. (CONTINUED) 

Fecal 

Coliform 

Bacteria 

Source 

Management Action 

Category Anticipated Results Comments 

Domestic pets 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient loadings. 

Includes education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 Program 

implementation. 

Public Outreach and 

Education 

Increase rate of pet waste 

cleanup. 

Focused public outreach effort 

regarding dog waste. 

Wildlife 

Restoration and 

Water Quality 

Improvement 

Decrease direct discharge 

of fecal coliform to 

Sweetwater Branch. 

Example: Duck pond restoration. 

TABLE 6.6. SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS TO REDUCE FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA IN SPECIFIC 

URBAN CREEKS

Management 

Action Category Hatchet Creek Hogtown Creek Tumblin Creek Sweetwater Branch 

Structural 

Stormwater BMPs Not applicable Yes Yes Yes 

Restoration and 

Water Quality 

Improvement 

Projects 

 Not applicable Yes Not applicable Yes 

Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Public Education and 

Outreach Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Yes Yes Yes Yes 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management, 

Maintenance, 

Repair, or Upgrade 

Not applicable Yes Yes Yes 

Through this approach, Orange Creek Basin stakeholders are using the best information 

available from their source identification activities (e.g., the MST projects) to identify priority 

areas. In these priority areas, stakeholders are using a comprehensive approach to address 

known sources of fecal coliform. Uncertainties regarding precise sources remain to be 

resolved. However, commitments made to individual projects and the cooperative “hot spot” 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 42 

project, are anticipated to lead to decreased fecal coliform levels in the urban creeks. Upon the 

completion of these projects, the ongoing water quality monitoring results will be evaluated to 

identify the benefits achieved by these projects and guide the selection of future projects. 

Key Unknowns and Future Studies 

The are a number of unknowns in identifying or better understanding the relative magnitude of 

different sources of fecal coliform bacteria and the extent to which the regrowth of bacteria 

occurs in creek sediments. A number of future studies have been identified to improve the 

scientific understanding of fecal coliform loadings that will lead to additional management 

actions. The ability to apply advanced scientific methods to accurately distinguish between 

sources of fecal coliform in the urban creeks will be critical to developing appropriate 

management strategies and measuring progress for meeting the TMDLs in each creek. 

However, until these advanced methods become more cost-effective, local stakeholders will 

continue to develop management strategies using a blend of conventional testing data and 

advanced source tracking information. Federal, state, and local support of the research and 

development of cost-effective advanced MST methods will benefit all stakeholders in reducing 

coliform levels in Gainesville’s urban creeks. 

Anticipated Results from Management Actions 

Extensive management actions have been completed, are under way, and are planned for the 

future to decrease fecal coliform loads into Tumblin Creek, Sweetwater Branch, and Hogtown 

Creek. Tables 6.5 and 6.6 summarize these efforts. Through these efforts, the BWG 

anticipates that fecal coliform loads in the urban creeks will decrease over time. Given the often 

erratic behavior of fecal coliform bacteria in the environment, the detailed quantification of load 

reductions is not possible at this time. However, the BWG will continue to evaluate fecal 

coliform levels in the streams to track progress. Depending on the results achieved through the 

implementation of the management actions described above, an approach such as the 

cooperative fecal coliform reduction “hot spot” project may be expanded to other parts of the 

watershed dependent on the availability of funding. This adaptive management approach will 

be used for the evaluation and selection of additional management actions in future iterations of 

the BMAP. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 43 

Alachua Sink 

Parameter Causing Impairment: TN 

Alachua Sink (WBID 2720A) is located on the northern edge of Paynes Prairie, south of the City 

of Gainesville and approximately 2.5 miles east of U.S. Highway 441. It consists of a small lake, 

with a corresponding solution sink that recharges the Floridan aquifer. Alachua Sink has a 

surface area of about 13.5 acres and a mean depth of around 1 meter.

Alachua Sink, Alachua Lake, and Paynes Prairie are part of a dynamic system where major 

changes in hydrology are observed in periods of extreme wet and dry conditions. Alachua Lake 

is the inundated portion of Paynes Prairie. Alachua Sink and Alachua Lake are separate 

waterbodies during periods of average, drought, and/or low rainfall. In wet years, the entire 

prairie is sometimes flooded, and the two waterbodies coalesce. Alachua Lake periodically 

refloods such that Alachua sink and Alachua Lake are one waterbody. Such events occurred in 

1998 and again in 2004-2005(or 2006?) (J. Weimer, 2006). 

The surrounding drainage basin for Alachua Sink is approximately 2,758 acres. There are 2 

well-defined inflows into Alachua Sink: Sweetwater Branch and a canal that connects Alachua 

Lake to Alachua Sink (a combined drainage area of 39,373 acres). Presumably, any runoff 

coming into Paynes Prairie that does not sink into the ground is incorporated into Alachua Lake, 

and some portion is shunted to Alachua Sink during high-water conditions. The Alachua Sink 

waterbody has an outlet stream that discharges to the primary sinkhole. 

Sources of surface flow into Paynes Prairie include Sweetwater Branch and Prairie Creek 

(which discharges from Newnans Lake). About 45% of the flow (as a long-term average) from 

Newnans Lake flows south into Paynes Prairie through 3 large culverts. The remainder flows 

south towards Orange Lake by way of Camps Canal and the River Styx swamp (Robinson, 

1992). Medium-density residential, forest, and water/wetland areas are the primary land use 

types in the full watershed (including the Sweetwater and Alachua Lake watersheds). The land 

area that drains directly to Alachua Sink is 51% forest and 43% water/wetland. Significant land 

use changes and population growth are not anticipated in the Alachua Sink watershed in the 

next 5 to 10 years. 

There are three point sources in the watershed: the Main Street Domestic WRF, the John R. 

Kelly Generating Station, and the City of Gainesville MS4. The Main Street WRF is an 

advanced, tertiary-level, activated sludge domestic wastewater treatment facility that discharges 

treated wastewater to Sweetwater Branch. The John R. Kelly Generating Station discharges 

cooling tower water and small volume of industrial wastewater into Sweetwater Branch. The 

City of Gainesville’s MS4 drains contributing urbanized areas of Sweetwater Branch. Other 

nonpoint sources to Sweetwater Branch, and ultimately Alachua Sink, include stormwater from 

the eastern portions of Gainesville. 

Alachua Sink is verified as impaired for nutrients, based on Trophic State Index (TSI) values 

well above the threshold of 60 (see Figure 6.1). Lakes with a TSI value above 60 are 

considered to have poor water quality. Based on phytoplankton communities and the TN/TP 

ratio, Alachua Sink is considered nitrogen limited, meaning that the amount of nitrogen governs 

the growth of phytoplankton. Thus, the TMDL for Alachua Sink was expressed in terms of TN 

reductions to achieve water quality standards. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 44 

Source: Gao et al., 2006, Table 1. 

FIGURE 6.1. ALACHUA SINK TSI VALUES, 2000–02 

Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 

The Alachua Sink TMDL point and nonpoint source loadings are allocated based on wet and dry 

year conditions. Wet years are the critical condition when non point source impacts are the 

greatest, while in dry years the greatest source of nutrients is point sources. Alachua Lake and 

the Main Street WRF are the major nonpoint and point sources of nutrient loading to Alachua 

Sink. Figure 6.2 shows that the nutrient load from the Alachua Lake watershed is the largest 

single nutrient source, contributing 73.1% of the TN loading for wet years. Nutrient sources to 

Alachua Lake include stormwater runoff into the Paynes Prairie Basin and nutrients from 

Newnans Lake, which are transported via Prairie Creek. The second largest source (19.1%) is 

the point source discharge from the Main Street WRF. The plant discharges treated wastewater 

to Sweetwater Branch, which enters Alachua Sink through Paynes Prairie via the Sweetwater 

Canal. Sweetwater Branch also conveys stormwater to Alachua Sink from portions of the urban 

watershed of east Gainesville, much of which was developed prior to the implementation of 

current stormwater regulations. Nonpoint source stormwater from these urbanized areas 

accounts for 5.6% of TN inputs to Alachua Sink. Various other identified sources contribute the 

remaining TN loading. 

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

2000 2001 2002

TSI

TSI Impairment Threshold
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 45 

* The TMDL was based on two different critical conditions. Non point sources loadings were considered to be at their 

highest during wet years. Dry years are the critical condition for point sources. 

FIGURE 6.2. WET YEAR BASELINE TN LOADING TO ALACHUA SINK

The BWG has completed or plans to implement a number of management actions to reduce or 

manage the sources of TN to Alachua Sink (Table 6.7). Tables 10.1 through 10.9 provide 

details on all projects, including the lead entity/project partners, cost and funding source(s), 

schedule, and anticipated benefits and load reductions (if known). 

The Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project has the potential to become the most 

significant project designed to address the Alachua Sink TMDL. To date, a conceptual plan has 

been developed, and a feasibility analysis of restoring sheetflow to Sweetwater Branch and 

Paynes Prairie (Project # AS05) and the Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Conceptual Plan

(Project # AS15) have been completed. Additional studies were performed to evaluate 

treatment upgrades needed at the Main Street WRF (Project # AS16) and opportunities for 

using treated wastewater from that plant for reuse. Details about these projects are contained 

in Table 10.5. Gainesville’s City Commission has authorized staff to begin the process of 

selecting a consultant to obtain professional design services and develop the necessary 

interagency agreements needed for land acquisition and cost sharing. 

Other activities that will benefit Alachua Sink include improved stormwater management in the 

Sweetwater Branch watershed, especially projects to retrofit areas with inadequate stormwater 

treatment. Most of the opportunities for this type of improvement are within the City of 

Gainesville, although urban areas outside the city may also offer some opportunities for loading 

reduction. 

Wet Year Existing Condition *462,557 lbs/year

TMDL is 256,322 lbs/year

Alachua 

Lake

(338,307 lbs/yr)

Forest/rural

928 lbs/yr

Rangeland

(99 lbs/yr)

Water/wetland

(2,308 lbs/yr) Agriculture

(599 lbs/yr)

Developed area

26,076 lbs/yr

Kelly Power Plant

(802 lbs/yr)

Atmospheric 

deposition

(23 lbs/yr) 

Main Street WRF

(88,748 lbs/yr)

Septic tanks

(4,667 lbs/yr)
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 46 

TABLE 6.7. COMPLETED AND PLANNED PROJECTS TO REDUCE TOTAL NITROGEN TO ALACHUA SINK

Nutrient Source Management 

Action Category Anticipated Results Comments 

Restoration and 

Water Quality 

Improvement 

Reduce TN loadings 

through nutrient uptake 

and attenuation. 

Sweetwater Branch/Paynes 

Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project. 

Conservation Land 

Acquisition 

Minimize future loading 

increases by controlling 

future land 

development. 

Example: Sweetwater Preserve. 

Structural 

Stormwater BMPs Reduce TN loadings. Example: Hydrodynamic separators. 

Special Studies 

and Planning 

Efforts 

• Improve scientific 

understanding of 

nutrient loadings due 

to recycling. 

• Improve 

understanding of 

ground water nutrient 

inputs. 

Not applicable 

Stormwater from 

developed areas 

(including nutrient 

load in Alachua 

Lake) 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

Includes education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 Program 

implementation. 

Wastewater 

Infrastructure 

Management, 

Maintenance, 

Repair, or Upgrade 

Inspect and rehabilitate 

infrastructure to 

decrease the possibility 

of wastewater 

exfiltration and spills. 

GRU has achieved a wastewater 

delivery efficiency rate (based on 

volume) approaching 100% and has 

maintained a spill rate of less than 

25% of the national average 

(2004–07). 

Main Street WRF 

Special Studies 

and Planning 

Efforts 

• Facilitate use of 

reclaimed water to 

minimize discharges 

to Sweetwater 

Branch. 

• Improve scientific 

understanding of 

nutrient loadings due 

to recycling. 

• Improve 

understanding of 

ground water nutrient 

inputs. 

• Intensive Water Quality Study of 

Alachua Sink; Reclaimed Water 

Master Plan. 

• Feasibility Analysis of Sweetwater 

Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetlfow 

Restoration Project Conceptual 

Plan for Sweetwater. 

Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetfow 

Restoration Project. 

Atmospheric 

deposition None Not applicable Considered an uncontrollable source. 

The City of Gainesville has 3 stormwater retrofits that have been completed or are near 

completion in the Sweetwater Branch and Tumblin Creek watersheds. Together, the Depot 

Avenue Stormwater Park, Spring Hill Stormwater Park, and SW 5th Avenue Basin will reduce TN 

loading by more than 880 lbs/yr when fully operational. Additional projects are planned that will 

provide further reduction of TN loading. The city has also installed hydrodynamic separator 

units at different locations within the Sweetwater Branch watershed. The units prevent 

sediment and trash from entering Sweetwater Branch and may also provide some nutrient 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 47 

reduction, though that reduction is currently not quantified. Details about these projects are 

provided in Table 10.1B. 

Key Unknowns and Future Studies 

There is a lack of a detailed understanding of Alachua Sink’s hydrodynamics and response to 

nutrient inputs. Hydrologic variation in Alachua Lake may affect TN and TP concentrations in 

the water column of Alachua Sink and Alachua Lake, through the oxidation of exposed sediment 

during periods of low water and the resuspension of this material during high lake stage. 

Nitrogen fixation studies being conducted by SJRWMD on two lakes in central Florida may 

provide insight into the nitrogen fixation processes in Alachua Sink. Nutrient loads also enter 

Alachua Lake and ultimately Alachua Sink from Newnans Lake. The achievement of TMDL 

reductions upstream in the Newnans Lake watershed may reduce nutrient levels in Alachua 

Sink through hydrologic connection between Newnans Lake and Paynes Prairie. 

Anticipated Results of Management Actions 

The BWG will work toward improvements in TSI values by implementing management actions in 

the Alachua Sink watershed. At this time, the completion of the Sweetwater Branch/Paynes 

Prairie Sheetflow Restoration project will meet the TN load reductions contributed by point 

sources identified in the TMDL for Alachua Sink. However, achieving this project will require 

completing the necessary land acquisition and project design before full implementation. The 

cost of this project is substantial and dependent on available funding; thus the City of 

Gainesville is seeking potential grant opportunities or other intergovernmental cost-sharing 

options. 

Newnans Lake 

Parameters Causing Impairment: TN, TP 

Newnans Lake is located in a topographical region of the state known as the Central Lowlands. 

The geology of the area is dominated by the Hawthorn Group, which is relatively impermeable 

and acts as a confining layer separating surface water from the influence of the Floridan aquifer. 

This geologic formation is also rich in phosphatic clays. 

The lake is a shallow basin lake that covers 6,399 acres at median stage and naturally 

fluctuates between 4,730 and 8,087 acres during drought and heavy rainfall, respectively. The 

maximum depth is no more than 12 feet, and the mean depth is approximately 5 feet. 

The lake’s single major surface water outlet is Prairie Creek. Once water leaves the lake, about 

45% of the flow (long-term average) goes to the south into Paynes Prairie through 3 large 

culverts. The remainder flows south towards Orange Lake by way of Camps Canal and the 

River Styx swamp (Robinson, 1992). 

A large drainage area north and west of the lake supplies inflow via 3 streams: Hatchet Creek, 

Little Hatchet Creek, and Lake Forest Creek. The headwater for Lake Forest Creek is located in 

eastern Gainesville and enters Newnans Lake from the west side of the lake. Hatchet Creek 

has the greatest flow to the lake. Hatchet Creek and Little Hatchet Creek are “blackwater” 

streams with naturally high color and frequently have high levels of TN. The Hatchet Creek 

watershed is approximately 64% natural forest and rural open land uses, with about 50% of the 

acreage in silviculture. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 48 

High iron concentrations are found in Hatchet Creek. Based on the information collected thus 

far, the iron present in Hatchet Creek is believed to be naturally occurring and does not 

negatively impact the Hatchet Creek watershed aquatic ecosystem. This naturally occurring 

iron concentration is not a controllable source. 

Census data gathered and evaluated through the BMAP process predicted that future growth 

through 2015 was not expected to substantially increase pollutant loads in the sub-basin. 

However, emerging growth patterns, particularly for the Hatchet and Little Hatchet Creek 

watersheds, indicate that Census predictions may not adequately reflect the changes in land 

use that could occur. It is uncertain to what extent future growth in the Newnans Lake subbasin will increase pollutant loads. There are programs in place to ensure that the possible 

effects are reduced, but extra effort may be needed. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 49 

Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 

Water quality in Newnans Lake has been declining since 1969. Newnans Lake has been 

hypereutrophic since at least 1999. The mean annual TSI, a measure of water quality, for 

Newnans Lake from 1999 to 2003 was 93. Lakes with a TSI value above 60 are considered to 

have fair water quality and above 70 to have poor water quality. Newnans Lake has higher TN, 

TP, and chlorophyll a concentrations than 75% of the Central Valley region lakes. Blue-green 

algae are the dominant phytoplankton species in Newnans Lake (92%), at a biovolume 

consistently twice that of Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake. 

In the Newnans Lake TMDL, for the period from 1996 to 2000, the internal recycling of nutrients 

stored in lake sediments contributed the largest proportion of the TN and TP load. This 

assumption was based on mass balance calculations comparing the in-lake nutrient loading to 

contributions from its watershed and a lack of other identifiable sources. Figures 6.3 and 6.4 

reflect the dominance of internal recycling as a nutrient source: 71.8% of the TN load and 

52.4% of the TP load. Tributary inflows from Hatchet and Little Hatchet Creeks are the next 

largest sources, contributing 17.1% of the TN load and 22.1% of the TP load; this includes the 

loading from the Brittany Estates WRF. Brittany Estates was allocated TN and TP loadings as 

part of the TMDL at the facility’s current permitted rate of discharge, because the removal of 

loadings from Brittany Estates had a minimal impact on the water quality of Newnans Lake, 

even under drought conditions. Atmospheric deposition contributes 12.4% of the TP loading. 

OSTDS’s are a small portion of the TN load to Newnans Lake. 

A large part of the Newnans Lake watershed is commercial silviculture property. Despite its 

prominence in acreage, silviculture land contributes a very small portion of the overall nutrient 

load to Newnans Lake, compared with the other land use types in the watershed. Most of the 

commercial silviculture acreage in the Newnans Lake watershed is managed by several large 

industrial silviculture operators, all of whom are participating in the Division of Forestry BMP 

implementation program. Other agricultural activities are minimal in this watershed. 

In the calculation of the TMDL, a significant portion of the baseline load was assigned to the 

internal recycling of nutrients between the sediments and water column. This assignment was 

based primarily on mass balance calculations, from data collected from 1996 to 2000, indicating 

that more of the nutrient load was contributed from within the lake than was contributed from its 

watershed. The nutrient recycling load was based on the assumption that recycling is 

responsible for the difference between nutrient loads from stormwater runoff and in-lake 

concentrations. Other sources of nutrients could not be identified, precluding the development 

of a more detailed nutrient analysis. Additional studies are needed to better define the role of 

sediment resuspension and deposition as a nutrient source. 

The extent to which nutrient recycling acts as a nutrient load in Newnans Lake could 

significantly affect the effectiveness of nutrient load reduction projects. Despite these 

unknowns, the general consensus by the BWG was that the lake was nutrient impaired. The 

BWG proposed a variety of projects to decrease nutrient loading into Newnans Lake. For 

instance, stormwater improvements made during the widening of State Road (SR) 20 reduce 

the loading of TN and TP from the watershed to Newnans Lake. The FWC has done several 

plantings of aquatic vegetation in an effort to improve habitat for fish with the additional benefit 

of potentially improving water quality in parts of the lake. Future stormwater management 

improvements in eastern Gainesville will also benefit Newnans Lake. Several parcels of land 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 50 

north of and surrounding Newnans Lake have been purchased for conservation purposes by 

Alachua County or the SJRWMD. 

 * See text for discussion of internal recycling. 

FIGURE 6.3. BASELINE TN LOADING TO NEWNANS LAKE

1996–2000 total — 315,510 lbs/yr

(TMDL is 85,470 lbs/yr)

Agriculture

(1,450 lbs/yr)

Developed area

(3,902 lbs/yr)

Atmospheric

 deposition

(6,393 lbs/yr)

Water/wetland

(14,037 lbs/yr)

Forest/rural

(5,335 lbs/yr)

Rangeland

(657 lbs/yr)

 Hatchet Creek

 Little Hatchet Creek (42,132 lbs/yr) (11,622 lbs/yr)

Seepage/ground water

(1,993 lbs/yr)

Septic tanks

(800 lbs/yr)

Internal rec ycling *

(226,515 lbs/yr)
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 51 

 

 * See text for discussion of internal recycling.

FIGURE 6.4. BASELINE TP LOADING TO NEWNANS LAKE

Baseline Period 1996–2000 — 25,732 lbs/yr

(TMDL is 10,924 lbs/yr)

Developed area

(447 lbs/yr)

Water/wetland

(1,399 lbs/yr)

Agriculture

(209 lbs/yr)

Forest/rural

(329 lbs/yr)

Rangeland

(95 lbs/yr)

Atmospheric 

deposition 

(3,197 lbs/yr)

 Hatchet Creek

(4,259 lbs/yr) Little Hatchet Creek

(1,424 lbs/yr)

Septic tanks

(108 lbs/yr)

Seepage/ground water

(540 lbs/yr)

Internal 

recycling* 

(13,478 

lbs/yr)
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 52 

Table 6.8 summarizes the management actions. Tables 10.1 through 10.9 in Section 10.0

provide details on all projects, including the lead entity/project partners, cost and funding 

source(s), schedule, and anticipated benefits and load reductions (if known). 

Key Unknowns and Future Studies 

The ACEPD completed storm event sampling of the three tributary basins in 2003 (ACEPD, 

January 2004). This study will help better define the contributions of nutrients from stormwater 

inputs in the watershed. Studies are also under way as part of PLRG development for Newnans 

Lake and ground water investigations that will better define and quantify watershed and ground 

water sources of nutrients. PLRG development is addressing the identification of external 

nutrient sources, both spatially and temporally. Another key area for study is quantifying load 

reduction from proposed or potential management actions. 

A number of future studies have been identified to improve the scientific understanding of the 

impact on water quality of internal nutrient recycling, external nutrient loadings, and the 

historical alteration of wetlands. Future studies include the following: 

• Internal recycling rates (i.e., TP movement between lake sediments and 

the water column), and 

• A literature review to document the effects of aquatic plant management, 

including options for improving management strategies to restore and 

protect water quality and promote natural lake functions. 

Tables 10.1 through 10.9 in Section 10.0 provide greater detail on these studies. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 53 

TABLE 6.8. COMPLETED AND PLANNED PROJECTS TO REDUCE NUTRIENTS IN NEWNANS LAKE

Nutrient Source Management Action 

Category Anticipated Results Comments 

Restoration and Water 

Quality Improvement 

Projects 

Reduce nutrient 

recycling through 

vegetative uptake. 

Planting of maidencane, 

knotgrass, and giant bulrush. 

Internal recycling and 

Water/wetlands Special Studies and 

Planning Efforts 

• Improve scientific 

understanding of 

nutrient recycling. 

• Better 

understanding of 

ground water 

nutrient inputs. 

• PLRG development, including 

better-defined source 

identification. 

• Storm event nutrient loading 

estimates. 

• Spatial nutrient loading 

dynamics in the watershed. 

• Ground water–surface water 

interaction study. 

Conservation Land 

Acquisition 

Minimize future 

loading increases by 

controlling future land 

development. 

Example: Newnans Lake 

Conservation Area. 

Silviculture BMPs Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

• All large industrial silviculture 

operators are participating in 

the BMP program, covering 

the majority of silviculture 

property in the watershed. 

• Additional outreach to small 

private operations to enroll 

them in BMP programs. 

• Increased frequency of 

compliance inspections. 

Agricultural BMPs Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

Rowcrop BMPs being 

implemented. BMP manuals for 

cow/calf, nursery, sod, and 

equine operations under 

development. 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

Education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 

program implementation. 

Hatchet and Little 

Hatchet Creeks 

Structural Stormwater 

BMPs 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

Dry detention ponds installed 

during SR 20 widening. 

Basic Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater Permit 

Program 

Implementation 

See above. See above. 

Silviculture BMPs See above. Not applicable. 

Direct stormwater 

discharge 

Agricultural BMPs See above. Not applicable. 

Atmospheric 

deposition Not applicable Not applicable Considered an uncontrollable 

source. 

Anticipated Results of Management Actions 

To achieve the TMDLs for Newnans Lake, management actions need to reduce TN and TP 

from baseline loadings by 74% and 59%, respectively. The BWG will work toward 

improvements in water quality as a result of implementing management actions in the Newnans 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 54 

Lake watershed. At this time, the degree of water quality improvement is difficult to predict, as 

insufficient data are available to determine the effects of reduced nutrient inputs on internal 

recycling in the lake. Project benefits will be evaluated through data collected during project 

implementation and the implementation of the basin monitoring strategy. Future research that 

resolves current unknowns may allow for the implementation of additional management actions 

with greater certainty about the anticipated outcome. Because of the uncertainty associated 

with internal recycling, it is not anticipated that the TMDLs for Newnans Lake will be achieved 

within the first 5-year cycle of TMDL implementation. 

Lake Wauberg 

Parameters Causing Impairment: TN and TP 

Lake Wauberg is located in the Central Valley of the Ocklawaha River Basin (Alachua County), 

approximately 8 miles south of Gainesville. It has a surface area of 248 acres, with a mean 

depth of 12 feet. The lake receives most of its recharge directly from rainfall and discharges to 

the east through Sawgrass Pond to Chacala Pond (Opper, 1982). During periods of low or 

normal water levels, Lake Wauberg, Burnt Pond Marsh, and George’s Pond remain 

unconnected. The waterbodies may interconnect during periods of extremely high water levels. 

Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 

Lake Wauberg has been hypereutrophic since at least 1990, based on TN, TP, and 

chlorophyll a data. From 1990 to 2000, water quality was consistently poor, as indicated by a 

mean annual TSI of 72.3 during this period. Lakes with a TSI value above 60 are considered to 

have poor water quality. 

Atmospheric deposition is the dominant nutrient source, contributing 65% of both the TN and TP 

loadings. The other primary source is septic systems (OSTDS’s), contributing 32.0% of the TN 

load and 32.2% of the TP load. The remaining nutrient loading (3%) is from runoff from natural 

areas. The Lake Wauberg watershed is largely undeveloped, with limited rural residential and 

university-owned recreation areas near the lake, all of which rely on OSTDS’s for wastewater 

management. The management of OSTDS’s is the primary controllable factor for nutrient load 

reduction in the Lake Wauberg watershed (Table 6.9). The ACHD has evaluated the on-site 

wastewater disposal and treatment systems located on residential properties surrounding Lake 

Wauberg. Table 10.5 provides details of the ACHD project, including the project partners, cost 

and funding source(s), schedule, and anticipated benefits and load reductions (if known). 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 55 

TABLE 6.9. PLANNED PROJECTS TO REDUCE NUTRIENTS IN LAKE WAUBERG

Nutrient Source Management 

Action Category 

Anticipated 

Results Comments 

Septic Systems 

(OSTDS’s) 

Special Studies 

and Planning 

Efforts 

Identify priority 

locations for onsite wastewater 

rehabilitation. 

• Septic systems identified as the 

primary controllable nutrient source 

for Lake Wauberg. 

• UF Lake Wauberg south shore facility 

septic tank upgraded in 2000. 

• ACHD evaluation of septic systems 

located on residential properties.

• Additional resources may be needed 

to rehabilitate failing tanks. 

Atmospheric 

deposition None Not applicable. Considered an uncontrollable source. 

Key Unknowns and Future Studies 

No future studies are specifically identified for Lake Wauberg. However, water quality 

monitoring will continue in the lake to track trends in water quality changes associated with 

improved on-site wastewater management. 

Anticipated Results of Management Actions

To achieve the TMDLs for Lake Wauberg, management actions need to reduce baseline 

loadings of TN and TP by 51% and 50%, respectively. As UF, Paynes Prairie Park, and the 

ACHD continue to work on identifying and upgrading on-site wastewater systems, nutrient 

inputs to Lake Wauberg should decrease. However, no data are available to quantify the 

anticipated nutrient loading reductions associated with Lake Wauberg management actions. It 

is not anticipated that the TMDLs for Lake Wauberg will be achieved solely through upgrading 

OSTDS’s. It is estimated that the complete removal of these systems’ input to Lake Wauberg 

will only result in a 32% reduction in TN and TP. 

Orange Lake 

Parameter Causing Impairment: TP 

The Orange Lake watershed is located in southeastern Alachua and northern Marion Counties. 

Orange Lake, a shallow lake with a relatively large surface area of 12,703 acres at median 

stage, naturally fluctuates between 2,745 acres and 15,600 acres during drought and heavy 

rainfall, respectively (SJRWMD, 2006). Major sources of water to the lake include interflow via 

Camps Canal and the River Styx from Newnans Lake and via Cross Creek from Lochloosa 

Lake; surface runoff from the watershed; and direct precipitation into the lake. Water flows out 

of the lake through a group of sinkholes located in the southwest part of the lake and a notched, 

fixed-crest weir at the U.S. Highway 301 bridge into the headwater wetlands of Orange Creek. 

Orange Creek drains into the lower Ocklawaha River Basin. The Orange Lake watershed 

drains an area of about 87,339 acres. 

A large portion of the Orange Lake watershed is involved in commercial silviculture activity, with 

most of this acreage held by several large industrial silviculture operators. All of these large 

silviculture operators are participating in the Division of Forestry BMP implementation program 

mentioned above. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 56 

Orange Lake has had aquatic plant management programs in place for several decades. 

Management efforts have ranged from the annual control of invasive exotics to removal of 

floating tussocks to restore deep water habitat. Selected areas of the lake bottom were 

mechanically scraped in an effort to remove muck and enhance fish habitat (Project # OR11). 

Table 10.3 lists aquatic plant management projects. Some uncertainties exist regarding the 

potential for aquatic plant management practices to add to the nutrient loading of the lake. 

Large parcels of land surrounding Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake have been purchased as 

conservation lands by either Alachua County or the SJRWMD. Approximately % of the 

watershed is held as conservation and recreation lands. These include Lochloosa Wildlife 

Conservation Area and River Styx Wetland. 

Census data gathered and evaluated through the BMAP process indicated that future growth 

predicted through 2015 was not expected to substantially increase pollutant loads in the subbasin. Some limited development may occur with the construction of condominiums and 

associated land clearing and septic tank installation on the west side of the lake. 

Pollutant Sources and Management Actions 

Water quality in Orange Lake has been declining since 1985. Statistically significant decreases 

in Secchi depth and increases in chlorophyll a, TN, TP, total suspended solids (TSS), and 

turbidity have been observed since 1985. Data for trend analysis prior to that date are 

unavailable. Orange Lake has been hypereutrophic since at least 1999, based on TN, 

chlorophyll a, and Secchi depth data. The mean annual TSI for Orange Lake from 1999 to 2003 

was 77. Lakes with a TSI value above 60 are considered to have poor water quality. Orange 

Lake has higher TP and chlorophyll a concentrations than 75% of the Central Valley region 

lakes. 

Baseline loadings of TP to Orange Lake are 25,732 lbs/yr. Inflow from Camps Canal and the 

River Styx swamp is the most significant TP source in Orange Lake, contributing 37.1% of the 

TP load (Figure 6.5). Together with inflow from Lochloosa Lake via Cross Creek (11.9%), 

loading from upstream waterbodies and wetlands contributes 49% of the TP load into Orange 

Lake. Loading from water and wetland areas, as well as atmospheric deposition 

(“uncontrollable” sources), comprises 32% of the TP load into Orange Lake. In the initial TMDL 

calculations, 21.5% of the TP load in the Orange Lake watershed was attributed to agricultural 

land. However, analyses conducted subsequent to the TMDL indicated that nutrient loading 

from silviculture areas applying appropriate BMPs is roughly equivalent to loads from natural 

forest land uses. The proper use of silviculture BMPs, as implemented through the Division of 

Forestry BMP Program, is expected to manage the loadings associated with silviculture 

activities. 

The BWG has completed or plans to implement different management actions to reduce or 

manage the sources of TP to Orange Lake (Table 6.10). DOT road improvement projects have 

provided stormwater treatment to previously untreated roadway. As much as 360 pound per 

year of TP will be removed from Newnans Lake, Orange Lake, and Lochloosa Lake collectively. 

Management actions proposed for Newnans Lake and Lochloosa Lake will help achieve the 

necessary TP load reductions that will in turn improve Orange Lake water quality. Tables 10.1 

through 10.9 provide details on all projects, including the lead entity/project partners, cost and 

funding source(s), schedule, and anticipated benefits and load reductions (if known). 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 57 

 

Besides silviculture, other primary agriculture activities in the watershed include horse farms 

and cattle grazing. DACS has equine and cow/calf BMPs in development and when these are 

adopted will work with local agriculture interests to implement them. Marion County has started 

the Clean Farms Initiative to assist local farmers with the implementation of BMPs, primarily for 

the management of animal waste and nutrients. Focus of this initiative is horse farms. The 

proper use of BMPs is expected to help reduce nutrient loadings delivered by the watershed to 

Orange Lake. 

FIGURE 6.5. BASELINE TP LOADING TO ORANGE LAKE

Baseline Period 1995-2000 TP Loading 27,889 lbs/yr

(TMDL is 15, 262 lbs/yr)

Agriculture

(5,987 lbs/yr)

Atmospheric 

deposition

(2,941 lbs/yr) Developed area

(934 lbs/yr)

Water/wetland

(3,338 

lbs/yr)

Forest/rural

(602 lbs/yr)

Rangeland

(24 lbs/yr)

Septic tanks

(390 lbs/yr)

Camps Canal

(10,346 lbs/yr)

Cross Creek

(3,327 lbs/yr)
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 58 

TABLE 6.10. COMPLETED AND PLANNED PROJECTS TO REDUCE NUTRIENTS IN ORANGE LAKE

Nutrient Source 

Management 

Action 

Category 

Anticipated Results Comments 

Inflow from Camps 

Canal/River Styx Special Studies 

Improve scientific 

understanding of 

nutrient sources. 

PLRG development for Orange Lake 

may identify this as a natural source of 

nutrients originating in River Styx swamp 

Silviculture 

BMPs 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

• All large industrial silviculture 

operators are participating in the BMP 

program, covering the majority of 

silviculture property in the watershed. 

• Additional outreach to small private 

operations to enroll them in BMP 

programs. 

• Increased frequency of compliance 

inspections. 

Agricultural 

BMPs 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

• Rowcrop BMPs being implemented; 

BMP manuals for cow/calf, nursery, 

sod, and equine operations under 

development. 

• Marion County Clean Farms Program 

targeted at horse farms. 

Silviculture and 

other agricultural 

sources 

Conservation 

Land Acquisition 

Minimize future loading 

increases by controlling 

future land 

development. 

Example: Longleaf flatwoods preserve 

Water/wetlands 

Restoration and 

Water Quality 

Improvement 

Projects 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings through 

natural nutrient uptake 

and attenuation. 

Not applicable. 

Conservation 

Land Acquisition 

Minimize future loading 

increases by controlling 

future land 

development. 

Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area. 

Silviculture 

BMPs 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

All large industrial silviculture operators 

are participating in the BMP program, 

covering the majority of silviculture 

property in the watershed. 

Agricultural 

BMPs 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

Rowcrop BMPs being implemented; 

BMP manuals for cow/calf, nursery, sod, 

and equine operations under 

development. 

Inflow from 

Lochloosa Lake via 

Cross Creek 

Special Studies 

and Planning 

Efforts 

Improve scientific 

understanding of 

nutrient sources; 

Better understanding of 

ground water nutrient 

inputs in future 

iterations of TMDL. 

• PLRG development for both 

Lochloosa Lake and Orange Lake; 

• Ground water–surface water 

interaction study. 

Roadway inputs of 

TP 

Structural BMPs 

(quantified) 

Stormwater treatment 

of roadway runoff 

removes nutrient 

loadings. 

Removes 361 lbs TP/year and 3,665 

lbs TN per year. Removal is for Lakes 

Orange, Newnans, and Lochloosa 

collectively. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 59 

Nutrient Source 

Management 

Action 

Category 

Anticipated Results Comments 

Basic 

Stormwater 

Management – 

Stormwater 

Permit Program 

Implementation 

Reduce nutrient 

loadings. 

• Includes education and outreach and 

other components of MS4 program 

implementation for both Marion and 

Alachua Counties. 

• Marion County Orange Creek 

 Watershed Management Plan 

Other identified 

sources 

Public Education 

and Outreach Not applicable. Not applicable. 

Atmospheric 

deposition None Not applicable. Considered an uncontrollable source. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 60 

Key Unknowns and Future Studies 

A number of unknowns exist related to identifying or better understanding significant external 

loads of TN and TP, nutrient loads in lake sediment, and internal recycling rates. A number of 

future studies, including the following, have been identified to improve the scientific 

understanding of nutrient loadings that will lead to additional management actions: 

• PLRG development: Target TP concentrations and TP load reductions 

needed to meet the target will be calculated. PLRG development will 

identify major sources of TP in the watershed. 

• Internal recycling rates (i.e., TP movement between lake sediments and 

the water column). 

• A literature review to document the effects of aquatic plant management, 

including options for improving management strategies to restore and 

protect water quality and promote natural lake functions. 

Anticipated Results of Management Actions 

To achieve the TMDL of 15,262 lbs/year for Orange Lake, management actions need to reduce 

TP baseline loadings by 45%. When implemented, all Orange Lake projects outlined in Tables 

10.1 through 10.9 are expected to decrease TN and TP loadings. However, the degree of water 

quality improvement is difficult to predict, as insufficient data were available to quantify TP 

nutrient reductions from the majority of projects. As the recipient of water from both Lochloosa 

Lake and Camps Canal/River Styx, Orange Lake will also benefit from projects implemented in 

these two sub-basins that will decrease nutrient loading through Cross Creek and Camps 

Canal/River Styx. The BWG expects to see improvements in Orange Lake water quality as a 

result. As for Newnans Lake, project benefits will be evaluated through data collected during 

project implementation and basin water quality monitoring. 

7.0 Monitoring Program 

Implementing the management actions contained in this BMAP will lead to water quality 

improvements. Table 7.1 shows indicators of water quality and the anticipated trend in these 

indicators. As part of the BMAP, the BWG designed a strategy for monitoring water quality 

based on these indicators and measuring pollutant concentrations and loads to determine if 

water quality is improving and the TMDL is being met. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 61 

TABLE 7.1. ANTICIPATED TRENDS IN CORE AND SUPPLEMENTAL WATER QUALITY INDICATORS

Core Indicators Lakes Creeks 

Chlorophyll a Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Total Phosphorus (as P) Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Nitrogen, 

Nitrite (NO2), 

and Nitrate (NO3) as N 

Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Nitrogen, Kjeldahl (TKN) Decrease in concentration Not applicable 

Fecal coliform Not applicable Decrease in concentration 

Supplemental Indicators Lakes Creeks 

Specific conductance Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Dissolved oxygen (DO) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Alkalinity Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

pH Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Temperature Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Color Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends Not applicable 

Turbidity Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

Total suspended solids (TSS) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

Total organic carbon (TOC) Monitored to facilitate interpretation 

of core indicator trends 

Monitored to facilitate 

interpretation of core indicator 

trends 

*Core indicator – Indicator that measures progress made towards achieving TMDL. 

**Supplemental indicator – Additional indicators measured to facilitate the interpretation of core indicators. 

This strategy builds on existing water quality monitoring program commitments made by DEP, 

the SJRWMD, ACEPD, and WAV volunteers. The monitoring strategy will involve an 

investment of resources and funding by these stakeholders. The strategy addresses monitoring 

design, quality assurance (QA), data management, and data interpretation that measure 

progress in achieving the TMDLs, while allowing for evaluation and feedback that better refine 

the monitoring strategy and provide information to better define how to achieve the TMDLs. The 

primary and secondary objectives of the monitoring strategy are as follows: 

Primary Objectives

1. Identify and track water quality trends in BMAP waterbodies to determine if 

water quality standards are being achieved, and 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 62 

2. Where feasible, measure the effectiveness of specific BMPs in reducing 

external loadings of target pollutants. 

Secondary Objectives

1. Measure reductions in watershed loadings of TMDL target pollutants, and 

2. Refine understanding of the type and relative magnitude of pollutant loading 

sources. 

A network of lake and creek stations representative of the inflow and outflow of each impaired 

lake will be monitored for the water quality indicators listed in Table 7.1. Information provided 

by the monitoring network will be used for the following purposes: 

• Evaluate progress toward achieving the primary and secondary objectives 

listed above, 

• Demonstrate stakeholders’ progress toward meeting their individual 

TMDL obligations, 

• Facilitate comparisons of water quality before and after BMP 

implementation, and 

• Inform the selection of future BMPs or management actions to address 

water quality. 

Data collected by the network are maintained by DEP in a central database available to partners 

and must meet QA requirements set by DEP. Additional interagency data comparisons and QA 

checks will be conducted as practical. 

Observations of water quality conditions and trends will be reported to the BWG and public at 

least annually as part of the BMAP annual report. Water quality data will be used to support 

adaptive management process, assess projects, and identify the need for new actions. A more 

complete analysis of trends in progress towards achieving designated use will be made on a 

five-year basis, corresponding with DEP’s watershed management cycle. 

8.0 Tracking and Follow-up Actions 

BMAP implementation will be a long-term process. Significant unknowns remain regarding 

nutrient sources for Orange Creek Basin lakes and to a lesser extent bacteria sources for 

streams. The TMDLs established for basin lakes most likely will not be achieved in the near 

term. Initial actions taken to identify sources of fecal coliform bacteria have been more 

successful. The identification of bacteria sources using a variety of techniques, including 

detailed MST, the use of optical brighteners, and field observations, has been completed. 

The FWRA provides for flexibility in the implementation of a BMAP by allowing a phased 

approach. As a first phase of implementation, the BWG is implementing a project to better 

evaluate elevated fecal coliform bacteria in Gainesville urban creeks. The development of 

PLRGs and the results of watershed nutrient source identification projects for Newnans Lake, 

Lochloosa Lake, and Orange Lake by the SJRWMD will identify major sources of nutrient 

loadings into those lakes. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 63 

In this first phase, the BWG will track its projects and other implementation efforts and monitor 

water quality in TMDL waterbodies (through existing water quality monitoring programs), to 

ensure that the BMAP is carried out and to measure its effectiveness. The BWG will meet at 

least annually to discuss implementation issues, consider new information, and determine other 

management actions needed for waterbodies that are not projected to meet their TMDLs. 

Each entity responsible for implementing management actions as part of the BMAP will 

complete an annual report for submittal to the BWG and DEP. The report will track the 

implementation status of any management actions listed in the BMAP and document additional 

management actions undertaken to further the water quality improvements in the basin. The 

report will primarily comprise a table of data elements such as the following: 

• BMAP project name, 

• Affected area, 

• Brief description, 

• Project start/end, 

• Project/activity status, 

• TP/TN/fecal coliform removal estimate when available, 

• Project monitoring results, and 

• Comments. 

The BWG will review the reports once per year to assess progress in meeting the goals of the 

BMAP. As part of its annual BMAP assessment and meeting, the BWG will evaluate the 

findings of ongoing studies and apply this new information to refine existing and developing new 

management actions as part of an adaptive management approach to achieve the targeted 

pollutant reductions. The results from projects implemented to identify sources of nutrients and 

bacteria will play a particularly critical role in shaping future management actions taken by 

members of the BWG. 

Adaptive management involves setting up a mechanism for making course corrections in the 

BMAP when circumstances change or feedback mechanisms indicate that a more effective 

strategy is needed. Key components of adaptive management are tracking implementation, 

monitoring water quality and pollutant loads, and holding periodic BWG meetings to share 

information and expertise. The FWRA requires that the plan be revised, as appropriate, in 

collaboration with basin stakeholders. All or part of a revised BMAP must be adopted by 

secretarial order. Adaptive management measures include the following: 

• Procedures to determine whether additional cooperative actions are 

needed; 

• Criteria/process for determining whether and when plan components 

need to be revised due to changes in costs, environmental impacts, social 

effects, watershed conditions, or other factors; and 

• Descriptions of the BWG’s role after BMAP completion. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 64 

9.0 Commitment to Plan Implementation 

While the BMAP is linked by statute to permitting and other enforcement processes that affect 

individual entities, successful implementation requires that local stakeholders willingly and 

consistently work together to achieve adopted TMDLs. This collaboration fosters the sharing of 

ideas, information, and resources. The members of the Orange Creek BWG have 

demonstrated their willingness to confer and coordinate with and support each other in their 

efforts. 

On a practical level, BMAP implementation also depends on adequate resources and necessary 

authorizations. The management actions contained in the BMAP are either under way or are 

planned in good faith. Current and future actions are contingent on necessary funding and 

approvals for their initiation and/or continuation. 

BWG members have signed individual statements or letters of commitment to BMAP 

implementation or adopted resolutions that will be included as part of this adopted BMAP. 

These commitments address the following actions: 

• Continue to use an equitable and cost-effective, coordinated, 

comprehensive watershed management approach that applies the best 

available science to achieve TMDL-related pollutant load reductions and 

water quality improvements within a BWG member’s authority, 

• Seek necessary approvals and funding to implement consensus 

management actions identified in the BMAP and implement those actions 

as required approvals and funding are secured, 

• Track the implementation of management actions for which a BWG 

member is responsible to assure that the BMAP is carried out, 

• Inform DEP and the BWG of any permanent obstacles to carrying out 

management actions for which they are responsible, including technical, 

funding, and legal obstacles; 

• Conduct water quality monitoring (if applicable) according to the 

monitoring strategy approved by the BWG, and 

• Continue to communicate and coordinate actions and funding across 

BWG member agencies and community groups with regard to BMAP 

implementation. 

Table 9.1 lists the governments, agencies, and community groups that have made a 

commitment to the implementation of this BMAP. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 65 

TABLE 9.1. SIGNATORIES

ENTITY SIGNATORY TITLE DATE

ALACHUA COUNTY BOARD OF 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Rodney J. Long Chairman December 11, 2007 

ALACHUA COUNTY HEALTH 

DEPARTMENT Thomas R. Belcuore Director 

CITY OF GAINESVILLE 

MARION COUNTY BOARD OF 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Charlie Stone Chairman December 3, 2007 

GAINESVILLE REGIONAL 

UTILITIES 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• NORTHEAST DISTRICT

• PAYNES PRAIRIE 

PRESERVE STATE PARK

• INVASIVE PLANT 

MANAGEMENT

Gregory J. Strong District 

Director NE 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

TRANSPORTATION 

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE 

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF 

AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER 

SERVICES

• DIVISION OF FORESTRY

• OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL 

WATER POLICY

Michael C. Long 

Richard J. Budell 

Director 

Director March 19, 2008 

ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER 

 MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Kirby Green Executive 

Director 

February 6, 

2008 

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 

SUWANNEE ST. JOHNS SIERRA 

CLUB 

WOMEN FOR WISE GROWTH Carol Higman 

Board of 

Directors, 

Policy 

Committee 

January 2, 

2008 

SUSTAINABLE ALACHUA 

COUNTY 

FLORIDA FORESTRY 

ASSOCIATION Philip Gornicki 

Director of 

Responsible 

Forestry 

April 8, 2008 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 66 

10.0 Detailed Project Information 

Introduction 

Tables 10.1 though 10.9 summarize the management actions for the impaired waterbodies by 

management type. Each table describes projects, identifies project partners, identifies 

anticipated load reductions (where practical) from implementing the management actions, and 

estimates the cost of implementing the project. The management actions in the tables are 

organized by each waterbody and for watershed wide or sub-basinwide actions in the Orange 

Creek Basin. 

This section also discusses the implementation of agricultural BMPs, the quantification of 

nutrient and fecal coliform loads, and the cost of BMAP implementation. 

DACS’ Process of BMP Implementation 

DACS’ OAWP BMP implementation role involves assisting agricultural producers in selecting, 

funding, properly implementing, and maintaining BMPs. The OAWP employs field staff and 

contracts with service providers1

 to work with producers to submit notices of intent (NOIs) to 

implement BMPs; these identify the measures appropriate for their operations. Service 

providers also provide technical assistance to producers and help implement cost-share 

programs that leverage regional, state, and federal funds. 

Although DACS’ BMP programs are not regulatory requirements, Subsection 403.067(7)(b), 

F.S., requires that nonpoint pollutant sources (such as agriculture) included in a BMAP 

demonstrate compliance with pollutant reductions established to meet a TMD,L either by 

implementing BMPs or by conducting water quality monitoring prescribed by DEP or a water 

management district. 

Quantifiable Nutrient Load Reductions 

The tables list the net estimated load reductions expected from selected management actions. 

These represent the subset of management actions that were quantifiable. The vast majority of 

management actions considered to be effective in managing nutrient loads (e.g., public 

education on fertilizer use) are not included in these load reduction estimates, as quantitative 

load reduction values were not available. As future management actions are implemented, load 

reductions will be quantified to the extent that data are available. 

Quantifiable Fecal Coliform Bacteria Load Reductions 

Management actions proposed in this BMAP to decrease coliform loads to urban creeks (e.g., 

public education regarding pet waste management) are not conducive to quantitative load 

reduction estimates. As such, the benefits of coliform management actions were largely 

evaluated on a qualitative basis. 

BMAP Implementation Costs 

Cost information is provided for each project listed in the tables. Where the cost of a project 

could not be adequately defined, it is indicated as unavailable in the tables. Certain types of 

 

1

 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF–IFAS), Natural 

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Development Councils, etc. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 67 

projects (such as nonstructural BMP implementation, land acquisition, and maintenance) do not 

easily lend themselves to a full accounting of costs for the waterbody addressed by the project. 

In the case of BMP implementation and land acquisition, some of the true cost of 

implementation is carried by private landowners and is not readily available, or involves in-kind 

service, or the transactions are still ongoing and the complete cost is still not known. Other 

costs for maintenance and operation activities are generally not accounted for on an individual 

waterbody basis, but rather cover larger areas, as indicated in the tables, including many 

waterbodies. Similarly, some special study projects are not fully developed, and the final costs 

are not known at this time. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 68 

TABLE 10.1A. STRUCTURAL BMP

S—QUANTIFIABLE 

LOAD 

REDUCTIONS

Project Number - 

Project Name / 

Which Type of TMDL 

is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

Hogtown Creek HOG20 - 39th Ave Basin Rehabilitation / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

DOT, District 2 / -- $1,432,976 / DOT, District 2 / 

2004 

NW 39th Ave from I-75 to airpretention pond modified to funwet detention pond. Design modification needed to addreswater table. Benefits: Reducsediment load and nutrient loa

HOG21 - Widening of SR 26A / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

DOT, District 2 / -- $3,982,382 / DOT, District 2 / 

2006 

Urban Gainesville Area / WideSR 26A with new stormwater treatment. Pollutant removal treatment of stormwater runofSR 26A. Addition of dry detenpond for treatment of stormwarunoff. Road runoff treatment previously provided. BenefitsPollutant removal by treatmenstormwater runoff from SR 26treatment. 

Lochloosa Lake LOCH04 - Widening of SR 20 from 2 Lane to 4 Lane / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Lochloosa Lake / 2738A 

DOT, District 2 / -- $10,763,788 / DOT, District 2 / 

2006 

Eastern urban area of GainesAlachua County / Widening of from 2-lane to 4-lane road witstormwater runoff treatment. wet detention ponds installed stormwater runoff along with mthan 100 ditch blocks to captuBenefits: Pollutant removal btreatment of stormwater runofprevious treatment. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 69 

TABLE 10.1A. (CONTINUED)

Project Number - 

Project Name / 

Which Type of TMDL 

is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

Newnans Lake NEW04 - Widening of SR 20 from 2 Lane to 4 Lane / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

DOT, District 2 / -- $10,763,788- funded along 

with LOCH04 / DOT, District 2 / 2006 

Eastern urban area of GainesAlachua County / Widening of from 2 lanes to 4 lanes with stormwater runoff treatment. wet detention ponds installed stormwater runoff along with mthan 100 ditch blocks to captuBenefits: Pollutant removal btreatment of stormwater runofprevious treatment. 

Sweetwater Branch SWT02 - Depot Avenue Stormwater Park / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 

City of Gainesville/DOT / DOT, District 2 

$7,162,000 / SJRWMD; Legislature; DOT, District 2; City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; State Revolving Fund / 2007 

Depot Avenue / 32-acre browrestoration site includes 11-acdetention pond developed witpark. Benefits: Reduce sedload and nutrient loads. 

SWT04 - Spring Hill Stormwater Park / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 

City of Gainesville / -- $170,000 / City of Gainesville 

Stormwater Management Utility Fee / 2003 

Springhill Community / 3.6-acstormwater park designed to trunoff from residential areas. quality improvement from wet detention. Provides compenstreatment for redevelopment sdowntown. Benefits: Reducsediment load and nutrient loaImprove water quality from wedetention. 

Tumblin Creek TUM01 - SW 5th Avenue Basin / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek / 2718A 

City of Gainesville / -- $1,147,818 / City of Gainesville 

Stormwater Management Utility Fee / 

SW 5th Avenue / 4.8-acre site 2.5-acre wet detention pond foquality improvement. Site is lnext to 3.5-acre Tumblin CreeBenefits: Reduce sediment lnutrient loads. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 70 

TABLE 10.1B. STRUCTURAL BMP

S—LOAD 

REDUCTIONS 

NOT 

CURRENTLY 

QUANTIFIED

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project De

Hogtown Creek HOG29 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 4 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

City of Gainesville / -- $11,410 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

Unit installed in 2-34 block of SW 2Installation and operation of StormcTerrace. Benefits: Prevents sedimstreams and storm sewer system. 

HOG30 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 6 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

City of Gainesville / -- $29,211 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

Unit installed in 1300 block of NW 2Installation and operation of Votech NW 29th Road. Benefits: Prevententering streams and storm sewer s

HOG31 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 7 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

City of Gainesville / -- $62,728 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

Unit installed in 1300 block of NW 2Installation and operation of Vortec

of NW 29th Road. Benefits: Preve

entering streams and storm sewer s

Alachua Sink and Sweetwater Branch URBAN03 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 2 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2711; 2720A 

City of Gainesville / -- $25,200 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

400-500 block of SE 2nd Place in Goperation of Vortech Unit in 400-50downtown Gainesville. Benefits: Pfrom entering streams and storm se

URBAN02 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 1 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2711; 2720A 

City of Gainesville / SJRWMD 

$26,260 / City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; SJRWMD / Ongoing 

400 block of SE 1st Avenue in Gainoperation of baffle box on SE 1st AvGainesville, used for sediment colle

sediment and trash from entering stsystem. 

URBAN09 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 3 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2711; 2720A 

City of Gainesville / -- $11,410 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

Unit installed in 1300 block of SE 1soperation of Stormceptor unit in 130downtown Gainesville. Benefits: Pfrom entering streams and storm se
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 71 

TABLE 10.1B. (CONTINUED) 

* 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

URBAN10 - Hydrodynamic Separator Number 5 / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2711; 2720A 

City of Gainesville / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

$145,180 / City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; EPA grant / Ongoing 

Units installed in 700 block of NE NE East Blvd. (Duck Pond area). 2 continuous deflective separatioGainesville. Benefits: Prevents entering streams and storm sewe

SWT03 - Duck Pond Restoration / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 

City of Gainesville / EPA 

$1,040,000 / EPA Grant; City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / 2005 

NE 10th avenue to NE 5th Avenuremove concrete channel and adto 2,500-foot channel. Two CDS pollutants from entering creek. Dexisting pond dredged and deepezone. Benefits: Reduce sedimeloads. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 72 

TABLE 10.2. AGRICULTURAL BMP

S

Project Number - 

Project Name / 

Which Type of TMDL 

is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / 

Completion or 

Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project Desc

Orange Creek Basin NUTRIENT03 - Silviculture BMP Implementation and Compliance / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Newnans Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749; 2738A; 2754; 2705B 

DACS, Division of Forestry / -- 

Not available / / Ongoing 

Silviculture lands in Alachua County and Msilviculture applied to industrial, public, anBMP implementation and compliance. Siestablished in mid-1970s in response to Cmost recently in 2004. These BMPS are protecting and maintaining water quality aforestry activities. BMPs address fertilizaannual basinwide BMP survey and targetProtection of streams and lakes from surfactivities. 

NUTRIENT06 - Cow/Calf BMPs / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake; Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749A; 2705B; 2738A; 2754 

DACS, OAWP / Private landowners 

Not available / General Inspection Trust Fund / Manual under development. Manual adoption expected by early 2008; implementation will be ongoing 

Marion County primarily; Alachua County implementation and effectiveness verificaunder development. BMP implementation verification will be priority focus for DACS TMDL Program. Benefits: Protection of surface runoff generated by agricultural o

NUTRIENT07 - Container Nursery BMPs / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake; Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749A; 2705B; 2738A; 2754 

DACS, OAWP / Private landowners 

Not available / General Inspection Trust Fund / BMP manual adopted; implementation will be ongoing 

Marion County primarily; Alachua County implementation and effectiveness verificaby DACS rule. However, number of contathis basin is minimal. DACS will evaluate and implementation assurance for containProtection of streams and lakes from surfagricultural operations. 

NUTRIENT08 - Sod BMPs / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake; Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749A; 2705B; 2738A; 2754 

DACS, OAWP / Private landowners 

Not available / General Inspection Trust Fund / Draft manual complete. BMP Manual adoption expected by early 2008; implementation will be ongoing 

Marion County primarily; Alachua County implementation and effectiveness verificacomplete. BMPs being finalized for rule aacreage in this basin is minimal. DACS wenrollment and implementation assurance Benefits: Protection of streams and lakegenerated by agricultural operations. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 73 

TABLE 10.2. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / 

Which Type of TMDL 

is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / 

Completion or 

Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project Desc

OR05 - Vegetable and Agronomic Crop BMPs / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Newnans Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749A; 2705B; 2738A; 2754 

DACS, OAWP / Private landowners 

Not available / General Inspection Trust Fund / Manual adopted. Implementation ongoing 

Marion County primarily; Alachua County implementation and effectiveness verificaby DACS rule. However, row crop acreagDACS will evaluate need for BMP enrollmassurance for row crops. Benefits: Protefrom surface runoff generated by agricultu

OR06 – Equine BMPs / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Newnans Lake; Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2749A; 2705B; 2738A; 2754 

DACS, OAWP / Private landowners 

Not available / General Inspection Trust Fund / Manual under development. BMP Manual adoption expected by early 2008; implementation will be ongoing 

Marion County primarily; Alachua County implementation and effectiveness verificaunder development. BMP implementation verification will be priority focus for DACS TMDL Program. Benefits: Protection of ssurface runoff generated by agricultural a

Orange Lake, Marion County MARION01 - Clean Farms Initiative / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake / 2749; 2738A 

Marion County Clean Water Program / Marion County Planning Department; Marion County Extension Service; Marion County Soil & Water Commission; Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) 

$15,000 / Marion County Clean Water Assessment; General Revenue; SWFWMD grant / Ongoing 

Marion County–Orange Creek Basin / Cledesigned to assist Marion County farm owimplementation of BMPs, and to recognizefforts. Clean Farms Initiative promotes Bnutrient management on agricultural landpassage of Resolution 04-R-384, by MarioCommissioners, recognizing importance ohistory and economy, while also recognizresources. As part of Initiative, more than brochures were mailed in October 2006 to ranging from large operations of several hof land with fewer than a dozen animals. manure management and fertilization prainput from focus groups held in February to direct Initiative’s next steps aimed at prwater resources. Benefits: Protection of water as well as wetlands from runoff from 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 74 

TABLE 10.3. RESTORATION AND 

WATER 

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT 

PROJECTS

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of 

TMDL is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location 

Hogtown Creek HOG18 - Sediment Removal / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

DOT, District 2 / -- $2,374,166 - construction cost 

plus $108,000 per year for sediment traps and maintenance dredging / DOT, District 2 / 2005 

NW 34th St. and Unexcessive sediment sediment sump complan. Benefits: Reddeposited in Sugarfo

HOG19 - Sediment Removal / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

City of Gainesville / -- $280,000 / City of Gainesville 

Stormwater Management Utility Fee; Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) / 2005 

NW 8th Ave. / Remobridge. Benefits: R

deposited in Loblolly 

HOG26 - Forest Park Vegetative Enhancement / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 

ACEPD / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership); Current Problems, Inc. 

$7,500 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share; partially funded by NOAA Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) grant / Ongoing 

City of Gainesville / Fpond vegetative enhReduce pollutant conrunoff; public educatimportance of vegetanonpoint source pollCounty Comp Plan CSpace Element - EdObjective 2.2; Surfac4.6; Alachua County Code (ULDC) - 406.4ULDC 407.56 RequiManagement Areas Article 9 Stormwater 

Newnans Lake NEW11 - Newnans Lake Planting-Fiscal Year (FY) 2005–06 / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$19,500 / FWC / June 2006 Newnans/east shore

Transplant 90,000 mgiant bulrush plants areas where littoral h

Promote establishme

areas where habitat 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 75 

TABLE 10.3. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of 

TMDL is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location 

NEW12 - Newnans Lake Planting-FY 2006–07 / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

FWC / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$11,000 / FWC / June 2007 Newnans/east shore

Transplant 20,000 mknotgrass, and 10,00areas where littoral h

Promote establishme

areas where habitat 

NEW13 - Newnans Lake Herbicide / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

FWC / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$1,000 / FWC / June 2006 Newnans/east shore

Herbicide control of (pennywort, Scirpus shore near Windsor bottom substrate for Newnans Lake. FWherbaceous tussock beneficial submergeand rooted emergenImprove sportfish haestablishment of SAV

NEW14 - Newnans Lake Planting-FY 2007–08 / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

FWC / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$21,000 / FWC / June 2008 Newnans/east shore 

maidencane, 30,000 bulrush plants in aresparse. Benefits: Pbeneficial vegetation sparse. 

NEW15 - Newnans Lake Annual Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program / -- 

$35,000 annual cost / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program / Ongoing 

Newnans Lake, Alacmaintenance prograspecies hydrilla, watPlant control is by heBenefits: Protects nreduces organic mucexotic species. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 76 

TABLE 10.3. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of 

TMDL is Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location 

Orange Lake OR11 - Orange Lake Mechanical Scraping / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 FWC / -- $648,403 / FWC / 2002 Selected areas of Or

scraping of muck froLake. Mechanically disposal or deposit oRestore fish spawnin

OR12 - Orange Lake Frog's-bit Control / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 FWC / DEP Cooperative 

Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$31,500 / FWC / 2005 Northern sections of 

control of floating masections of Orange Ldeep marsh habitat. 

OR13 - Orange Lake Tussock Control / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 FWC / DEP Cooperative 

Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$146,057 / FWC / 2005 Northern sections of 

shredding of tussockLake. Mechanically Benefits: Restore d

OR14 - Orange Lake Tussock Harvesting / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 FWC / DEP Cooperative 

Aquatic Plant Management Program 

$346,500 / FWC / 2005 Southeast section of 

Mechanical harvestinRun area of Orange tussocks from OrangBenefits: Restore d

OR15 - Orange Lake Floating Tussock Control / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 DEP Cooperative Aquatic 

Plant Management Program / DEP Contractors 

$2,252,000 / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program / Nov. 2005 

Orange Lake, in MarControl of floating tuProvides for restoratprotection of establisand navigation. Benwildlife habitat and pnavigation. 

OR16 - Orange Lake Annual Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 DEP Cooperative Aquatic 

Plant Management Program / -- 

$750,000 annual cost / DEP Cooperative Aquatic Plant Management Program / Ongoing 

Orange Lake, Marion Annual maintenance native species hydriland water lettuce. B

plant communities abuildup from growth 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 77 

TABLE 10.4. REGULATIONS, ORDINANCES, AND 

GUIDELINES

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / 

B

Orange Creek Basin within Alachua County ALCODE01 - Alachua County Water Quality Code Implementation / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$17,400 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Ongoing 

Alachua County / AlachCode Implementation foSweetwater Branch, aneducation, outreach, anReduction of pollutant crunoff. Implementation Chapter 77, Water QuaManagement Practices. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 78 

TABLE 10.5. SPECIAL 

STUDIES AND 

PLANNING 

EFFORTS

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

Orange Creek Basin URBAN07 - Assessment Tool for MS4 Pollutant Load Reduction / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

City of Gainesville / UF; Florida Stormwater Association 

$13,000 / Florida Stormwater Association / 2007 

Urban Area / Ureductions for reductions will boxes and streProvide methocalculation of laccepted polluremoval practi

Alachua Sink AS04 - Expanded Nutrient Monitoring Alachua Sink / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A ACEPD / -- $5,600 / Alachua 

County / Sept. 2004 

Sweetwater BrExpanded nutrSink. Benefitsquality and waAlachua Sink. County ComprPlan) ConservElement - SurfObjective 4.6. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 79 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

AS05 - Feasibility Analysis of Sweetwater Branch Sheetflow Restoration Project at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Alachua County, Florida / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A City of Gainesville Public 

Works and GRU / DEP Parks and Recreation 

$25,000 / Each partner paid 1/3 of cost / 9/30/2006 

Sweetwater BrAssess technicof restoring hisSweetwater BrPaynes Prairie Alachua Sink. nutrient concePaynes Prairiediversion of Swdischarge to wrather than dirSink. CollaborPaynes Prairie Benefits: Rehacres of wetlanPreserve State Sweetwater BrAlachua Sink. 

AS11 - Alachua Sink Intensive Study and Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Water Reuse Feasibility / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A GRU / -- $445,299 / GRU 

ratepayers; FY 2003–07 

Alachua Sink/SIntensive watebetter understato Alachua Sinmodeling utilizdetermine reusWater quality dTMDL develop

AS12 - Paynes Prairie Vegetative Study / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A Orange Creek Basin 

Partnership / SJRWMD; Alachua County; GRU; City of Gainesville Public Works; Paynes Prairie State Preserve 

$51,479 / -- / 2002 Paynes Prairie 

nutrients from correlated with Paynes Prairiedocuments infwater on natur
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 80 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

AS13 - Gainesville Regional Utilities Reclaimed Water Master Plan / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A GRU / -- $130,000 / 

GRU ratepayers / 2007 

City of GainesStrategic plannfuture reclaimewill impact optBenefits: Expnutrient loadin

AS15 - Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Conceptual Plan / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A City of Gainesville, GRU / 

DEP Division of Parks and Recreation; SJRWMD 

$29,500 / GRU; City of Gainesville / 2007 

Paynes Prairie and estimate oPaynes Prairie Project to procregulatory ageTMDL through alternatives. 

AS16 - Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Evaluation of Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Upgrades / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A GRU / -- $27,385 / 

GRU ratepayers / 2007 

Paynes Prairie WRF treatmenwetland perforconjunction wiSheetflow Respreliminary wefinished water offline wetland Main Street WBenefits: Meecooperative tre

Urban Creeks: Hogtown Creek, Sweetwater Branch, Tumblin Creek bacteriological studiesBACTERIA01 - Bacterial Source Tracking / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch / 2718A; 2711 

ACEPD / -- $24,600 / 

Alachua County / Aug. 2003 

City of Gainestracking by ant(ARA) and disc(ribotyping). Bbacteria sourcribotyping, and coliform and EImplements AlConservation aSurface Water 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 81 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

BACTERIA02 - Fecal Coliform Source Assessment / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$45,000 / Currently partially funded; Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Sept. 2007 

City of GainesFecal coliform expanded micselected MST MST project-passessment wbacteriological specific MST aImplements AlConservation aSurface Water 

BACTERIA03 - Coliform Wet and Dry Season Assessment / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$15,000 / Currently partially funded; Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / July 2007 

Gainesville urbwet and dry seconcentrations selected statio

data for wet secoliform concedetermining baachievable loaAlachua CounConservation aSurface Water 

BACTERIA04 - Expanded Fecal Coliform Bacteria Monitoring / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

ACEPD / -- $30,000 / 

Alachua County / Ongoing 

Gainesville urbbaseflow fecal better identify bacterial count

current water qconditions in TCreek, and SwImplements Coand Open SpaWater System
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 82 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

BACTERIA05 - Microbial Source Tracking Study / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $419,000 / 

GRU ratepayers / June 2007 

Gainesville urbwastewater coarea (115 squabetter understaof various soucreeks. Study scientific methcontribution of identifies locatpollution is preBetter identificcontamination 

BACTERIA06 - Optical Brighteners / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$9,000 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / May 2006 

City of Gainesand fecal colifowatershed for Benefits: Ideoptical brighte(baseflow) and Implements AlConservation aSurface Water 

BACTERIA16 - Evaluation of Fecal Coliform Bacteria "Hot Spots" in Gainesville Urban Creeks Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

DEP; ACEPD; City of Gainesville Public Works; GRU; ACHD 

Unavailable / Water Quality Restoration / Pending 

Urban creeks Project directelocations in urbhigh fecal colifof BMAP implesources for coBenefits: Idenof fecal coliform

HOG15 - Evaluation of Residential Septic Tanks Systems Adjacent to Hogtown and Possum Creeks, Tumblin Creek, and Sweetwater Branch / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek / 2698 

ACHD, Environmental Health Section / 

$20,000 / / Sept. 2005 Alachua Coun

parcels with seborings to checoliform analystemporary OPBenefits: Idesources. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 83 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

Sweetwater Branch SWT18 - Expanded Nutrient Monitoring Sweetwater Branch / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 ACEPD / -- $5,600 / Alachua 

County / Sept. 2004 

City of Gainesmonitoring of SBenefits: Detquality and waSweetwater Brand Alachua SCounty Comp Open Space ESystems Objec

SWT24 - Sweetwater Branch Watershed Management Plan Update and Land Acquisition / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 City of Gainesville / EPA $530,000 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; EPA grant / 2006 

Watershed / Sprioritize new wprojects and dplan. Balance for land acquisBenefits: Maidentified. Toppurchased. Toadded to City oImprovements information usSection 319 fu

SWT29 - Inlet Protection Pilot Project, Sweetwater Branch / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 ACEPD / Alachua 

County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$2,000 / Currently partially funded; Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / July 2007 

City of Gainesstormwater drodevices at Flor(impervious acquantify sedimpollutants. Beeffectiveness odevices in redufrom imperviouimplement AlaConservation aSurface Water 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 84 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

Sweetwater Branch SWT30 - In-stream Bioassessments in the Hogtown Creek, Sweetwater Branch, Tumblin Creek, Little Hatchet Creek, Hatchet Creek, and Lake Forest Creek Watersheds / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2688; 2709 

Alachua County / City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2, (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$47,675 / DOT, District 2 / projected start 2008 

Orange Creek bioassessmenSweetwater BrLittle Hatchet CLake Forest Ccomparison widata. Benefits

status of in-strthese watersheCounty Comp Open Space ESystems Objec

Tumblin Creek TUM03 - Tumblin Creek Watershed Management Plan Update / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek / 2718A City of Gainesville / $246,426 / City of 

Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; CP;UH CRA / 2007 

Tumblin Creek identify and prtreatment projedevelopment oPollutant loadipollutant load been identified 

Hogtown Creek HOG17 - Fluvial Geomorphologic Assessment and Preliminary Restoration Plan / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 City of Gainesville / 

SJRWMD; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) 

$107,200 / 206 USACOE program; SJRWMD Cost-share Grant; City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / 2003 

Northwest Gaidetermine sousedimentation develop prelimcreek system. developing plain-stream eros
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 85 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

HOG24 - Inlet Protection Pilot Project, Hogtown Creek / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek / 2698 ACEPD / Alachua 

County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$2,000 / Currently partially funded; Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / July 2007 

City of Gainesstormwater drodevices at GaiCompound (imacres) to quansizes, and pollCreek). Beneeffectiveness odevices in redufrom imperviouimplement AlaConservation aSurface Water 

Newnans Lake HAT01 - Expanded Coliform and Iron Monitoring / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hatchet Creek / 2688 ACEPD / Alachua 

County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$5,000 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Dec. 2006 

Northeast Alacmonitoring to bdistribution of samples on mowatershed at aBenefits: Detwith elevated iimplement AlaConservation aSurface Water 

NEW01 - Development of Pollutant Load Reduction Goals (PLRGs) for Newnans Lake / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B SJRWMD / -- $1,000,000 / SJRWMD 

ad valorem, Water Management Lands Trust Fund, legislative appropriations, Ecosystems Management Trust Fund, Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) fund / preliminary PLRG 2007; final 2008 

Newnans Lake of science-basand/or P) exteneeded to restquality standarwater quality dmodels used tconcentrations standards and needed to meequality. Benefdevelopment oLake. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 86 

Table 10.5. (Continued) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

NEW08 - Ground Water-Surface Water Interaction Study, Newnans Lake / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B DEP / -- $45,000 for 6 lakes; 

about $7,500 for Newnans Lake / / 2008 

Newnans Lake study to examthrough which Lake. Benefitof ground watenutrients to Ne

NEW09 - Nutrient Loading Estimation during Storm Event / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake; Lochloosa Lake/ 2688; 2705B; 2728 

SJRWMD / -- $198,100 / Legislative 

appropriation / Sept. 2008 

Newnans Lake watersheds / Tnutrient loadinLochloosa Lakstorms. Stormdischarge data tributaries in NLochloosa LakData will be usmodels of nutrcritical to PLRG 

NEW10 - Spatial Nutrient Loading Dynamics in the Newnans Lake Watershed / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2688; 2705B; 2728 

SJRWMD / -- $151,000 / Legislative 

appropriation, Water Management Lands Trust Fund / Sept. 2008 

Newnans Lake external sourcto Newnans Laregarding spatof nutrient pollwaters and groLake watersheused to refine nutrient loadinPLRG develop
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 87 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake LOCH07 - Ground Water -Surface Water Interaction Study Lochloosa Lake Area, Alachua and Marion Counties, Florida / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake/ 2749; 2738A 

DEP / $64,000 / federal funds / 

April 2007 

Lochloosa Lakwatersheds / Swater pathwayenter LochloosField investigaTP and TN in dassociated witRadon studies ground water sLake. Benefitground water imodels. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 88 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

LOCH01 - Development of Pollutant Load Reduction Goals (PLRGs) for Lochloosa Lake 

Lochloosa Lake; Cross Creek / 2738A; 2754 

SJRWMD / -- $1,000,000 / SJRWMD 

ad valorem, Water Management Lands Trust Fund, legislative appropriations, Ecosystems Management Trust Fund, SWIM fund / preliminary PLRG 2008/final 2009 

Lochloosa LakDevelopment oof nutrient (N areductions neestate water qustudies, water hydrologic modtarget nutrient water quality sreductions neerestore water qDEP developm

MARION02 - Marion County Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment (MCAVA) / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Lochloosa Lake/ 2749; 2738A 

Marion County Clean Water Program / -- 

$82,850 / Marion County Clean Water Assessment / Projected completion Aug. 2007 

Marion CountyIdentification oaquifer. Projecdefensible watand protection planning of huminimize advewater quality. are displayed vulnerability (othan another). government, pguiding growth areas (e.g., groareas) and impexpanding exiswellfields. Ben

where aquifer Potential for fuactivities in thopollution of gro
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 89 

TABLE 10.5. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - Project 

Name / Which Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners 

Cost / Source of 

Funding / Completion 

or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Loca

a

MARION04 - Orange Creek Watershed Management Plan Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 Marion County Clean 

Water Program / -- 

$196,670 / Marion County Clean Water Assessment / ongoing 

Orange Creek program) / Waplans (WMPs) countywide anaddress Marioissues. WMPs maintenance ogeodatabase fsewer system boundaries, ancountywide. Wbeen initiated. be complete bBenefits: Idenand implemen

OR01 - Development of Pollutant Load Reduction Goals (PLRGs) for Orange Lake / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 SJRWMD / -- $1,000,000 / SJRWMD 

ad valorem, Water Management Lands Trust Fund, legislative appropriations, Ecosystems Management Trust Fund, SWIM fund / preliminary PLRG 2008/final 2009 

Orange Lake wof science-basand/or P) exteneeded to restquality standarwater quality dmodels used tconcentrations standards and needed to meequality. Benef

development o

Lake Wauberg WAU01 - Evaluation of Septic Systems Surrounding Lake Wauberg / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Lake Wauberg / 2741 ACHD, Environmental 

Health Section / -- 

$15,000 / -- / Sept. 2005 Lake Wauberg 

identifying parconducting soitable, and samBenefits: Locsystems or othtreatment systand P to Lake 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 90 

TABLE 10.6. EDUCATION AND 

OUTREACH 

EFFORTS

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

Orange Creek Basin ALACHUA02 - Water Quality Protection Public Education and Outreach / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Creek Basin / HUC 03080102 

ACEPD; Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership);SJRWMD / -- 

$40,000 annually (WAV program countywide) / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) and SJRWMD cost-share / Ongoing 

Alachua County / Public edustormwater nutrient (N and Pground water and surface waReduce pollutant concentratipublic education effort to dem

preventing nonpoint source pAlachua County Comp Plan Space Element - Education aSurface Water Systems ObjeULDC - 406.43 Water ResouRequirements for Stormwateas Open Space; ULDC ArticlManagement. 

ALACHUA03 - Water Quality Protection BMP Training / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Creek Basin / HUC 03080102 

ACEPD / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$20,000 annually / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Unknown 

Alachua County / Training anand agricultural interests in scontrol and nutrient managemquality. Newnans Lake is imLochloosa Lake and Orange water quality and increased snutrients. Benefits: Reduce 

stormwater runoff; public edudemonstrate importance of ppollution; implement Alachua Conservation and Open Spaand Outreach Objective 2.2; 

Objective 4.6; Alachua CounResources Buffers; ULDC ArManagement. 

OCB01 - Community Based Social Marketing Workshop / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Creek Basin / HUC 03080102 

Sustainable Alachua County; DEP; City of Gainesville; Alachua County; GRU / -- 

$25,000 / EPA Section 319 federal funds and local support / Jan. 17–19, 2007 

Orange Creek Basin / Three-of 1-day Introductory WorkshWorkshop to teach principles how to foster sustainable beh

public education and outreacorganizational structures that sustainability. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 91 

TABLE 10.6. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID Lead Entity / Project Partners

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

Sweetwater Branch SWT22 - Springhill Pond Vegetative Enhancement / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch / 2711 

ACEPD / UF–IFAS Extension Service; NOAA; City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2, Alachua County (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership); Current Problems, Inc. (Adopt A River) 

$7,500 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share; partially funded by NOAA CIAP grant / Ongoing 

City of Gainesville / Springhilworkshop and stormwater povegetative enhancement. Be

concentrations in stormwater effort to demonstrate importapreventing nonpoint source pAlachua County Comp Plan Space Element Education anSurface Water Systems ObjeULDC - 406.43 Water ResouRequirements for Stormwateas Open Space; ULDC ArticlManagement. 

Tumblin Creek TUM18 - Tumblin Basin Vegetative Enhancement / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek / 2718A 

ACEPD / UF–IFAS Extension Service; City of Gainesville, Alachua County, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership); Current Problems, Inc. (Adopt A River) 

$7,500 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Ongoing 

City of Gainesville / Tumblin public education workshop avegetative enhancement. Be

concentrations in stormwater effort to demonstrate importapreventing nonpoint source pAlachua County Comp Plan Space Element - Education aSurface Water Systems ObjeULDC - 406.43 Water ResouRequirements for Stormwateas Open Space; ULDC ArticlManagement. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 92 

TABLE 10.7. BASIC 

STORMWATER 

MANAGEMENT 

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding 

/ Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

Orange Creek Basin MSPERMIT01 - City of Gainesville Water Pollution Prevention Program - NPDES MS4 Permit / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2718A; 2695; 2709; 2711; 2698 

City of Gainesville / Alachua County; DOT, District 2 

$2,899,500 total; $929,300 is city's share / City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee; City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and DOT District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) cost-share / Ongoing 

Urbanized area of GainesviAlachua County / Multiple poutreach and education proillicit discharge detection anelimination programs, mappmodeling efforts, constructiopollution prevention programmunicipal operations pollutiprevention programs. BeneRemove illicit connections; implementation. Potential freduction in loadings. 

MSPERMIT02 - Alachua County Water Pollution Prevention Program - NPDES MS4 Permit / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

Alachua County Public Works / City of Gainesville; DOT, District 2 

$2,899,500 total; $594,500 is county's share / Cost shared by City of Gainesville, Alachua County, DOT District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) / Ongoing 

Urbanized area of GainesviAlachua County / Multiple poutreach and education proillicit discharge detection anelimination programs, mappmodeling efforts, constructiopollution prevention programmunicipal operations pollutiprevention programs. BeneRemove illicit connections; implementation. Potential freduction in loadings. 

MSPERMIT03 - Florida Department of Transportation, District 2, Alachua County Water Pollution Prevention Program - NPDES MS4 Permit / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

DOT, District 2 / Alachua County, City of Gainesville 

$2,899,500 total; $691,500 is DOT District 2's share / Cost shared by City of Gainesville, Alachua County, DOT District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) / Ongoing 

Urbanized area of GainesviAlachua County / Multiple poutreach and education proillicit discharge detection anelimination programs, mappmodeling efforts, constructiopollution prevention programmunicipal operations pollutiprevention programs. BeneRemove illicit connections; implementation. Potential freduction in loadings. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 93 

TABLE 10.7. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding 

/ Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

URBAN01 - Street Sweeping / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

City of Gainesville /  -- 

$568,000 / City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / Ongoing 

Urban Area / Benchmark frefor sweeping downtown aretwice per week in early morwith additional sweeping as needed during special evenBenchmark sweeping frequmajor roads is once every 4 or as needed. Benchmark frequency of sweeping for residential areas is about 9 annually. Performance meadebris and sediment collect17,000 cubic yards per yeaBenefits: Remove debris, sediment, and potential pollfrom streets. Prevent entry storm sewer system. 

URBAN04 - State Roads Street Sweeping / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

DOT, District 2 / -- Not available / DOT, 

District 2 / Ongoing 

Urban Area / Street sweepistate roads within urbanized that have curb and gutter. IUS441, SR26, SR20, SR24SR128, SR 222, and SR121Areas are swept by City of Gainesville and contract pefor DOT. Minimum benchmsweeping frequency is quarPerformance benchmark focollected is 125 tons per yeBenefits: Remove debris, sediment, and potential pollfrom streets. Prevent entry storm sewer system. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 94 

TABLE 10.7. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding 

/ Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

URBAN08 - Alachua County Roads Street Sweeping / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek; Little Hatchet Creek; Lake Forest Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2695; 2709 

Alachua County / -- Not available / -- / Ongoing Urban Area / Sweeping of A

County–maintained roads wurbanized area. Benchmarfrequency for sweeping of rwith curb and gutter is recu60-day cycle. Benefits: Re

debris, sediment, and potenpollutants from streets. Preentry into storm sewer syste

URBAN11 - DOT Storm Sewer Geodatabase – Alachua County / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

HUC 03080102 / Orange Creek Basin / 

DOT, District 2 / Alachua County; City of Gainesville 

$272,375 / DOT, District 2 / Ongoing 

Alachua County / Maintain comprehensive geodatabasDOT-related storm sewer sydata in Alachua County. Coordinate with City of Gainand AC Public Works for dacompatibility. Benefits: Pr

location information of storm infrastructure and allow for modeling and illicit dischargtracking. 

URBAN13 - Gainesville Urban Area Storm Sewer Geodatabase / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

HUC 03080102 / Orange Creek Basin / 

City of Gainesville / Alachua County, DOT, District 2 (Gainesville Clean Water Partnership) 

$1,575,000 / Costs shared by City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and DOT District 2 over 7-year period / Ongoing 

Gainesville Urban Area / Macomprehensive geodatabasCity of Gainesville and AlacCounty storm sewer system 

watershed boundaries, and hydrologic features in GaineUrban Area. Coordinate wifor data compatibility. BeneProvide location information storm sewer infrastructure aallow for flow modeling and discharge tracking. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 95 

TABLE 10.7. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name / 

WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding 

/ Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Pro

Description and Bene

MSPERMIT04 - Marion County Clean Water Program- NPDES MS4 Permit / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 Marion County 

Clean Water Program / 

$3,500,000 program annual budget countywide / Marion County Clean Water Assessment / ongoing 

Marion County, countywide outreach and education proillicit discharge detection anelimination program, mappimodeling efforts, constructiopollution prevention programmunicipal operations pollutiprevention program. BenefRemove illicit connections; implementation. Potential freduction in loadings. Remoconnections; BMP implemePotential for reduction in loa

MARION03 - Street Sweeping of Marion County Roads Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 Marion County 

Clean Water Program / 

$133,000 per year (Countywide); $1,800 per year in Orange Creek Basin / Marion County Clean Water Assessment / ongoing 

Marion County portion of baSweeping of Marion Countymaintained roads in Orange Basin. Benchmark frequensweeping of roads with curb gutter is 8 times per year; rowithout curb and gutter 4 timyear; chip seal roads once pyear. Effectiveness to be evover 3-year period. Benefit

Remove debris, sediment, apotential pollutants from strePrevent entry into storm sewsystem. 

Tumblin Creek TUM02 - SW 11th Avenue Storm Sewer / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek / 2718A City of Gainesville 

/ -- 

$88,000 / City of Gainesville Stormwater Management Utility Fee / 

1200 block SW 11th AvenuImprovement to storm sewesystem. Stabilize creek outBenefits: Reduce sedimen
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 96 

TABLE 10.8. CONSERVATION 

LAND 

ACQUISITION / BMP

LAND 

ACQUISITION

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project D

Alachua Sink and Paynes Prairie AS07 - Bishop and Henderson / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Paynes Prairie / 2718; 2711 

ACEPD / -- $225,700 / Alachua County 

Forever Bond proceeds / August 15, 2006 

Paynes Prairie / Land acquisitioWilliston Road adjacent to Payn

increase in surface runoff of pollchange, continued aquifer rechapreservation; implement Alachua Conservation and Open Space EForever Policy 6.2.1. 

SWT31 - Sweetwater Preserve / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Paynes Prairie / 2711; 2722 

ACEPD / Florida Communities Trust (FCT) 

$7,700,000 total cost / Alachua County Forever Bond proceeds; FCT costshare / March 24, 2006 

Paynes Prairie / Land acquisitio(north rim of Paynes Prairie). B

surface runoff of pollutants due tcontinued aquifer recharge and preservation; implement Alachua Conservation and Open Space EForever Policy 6.2.1. 

SWT33 - NW 2nd Street Land Acquisition 

Sweetwater Branch; Paynes Prairie / 2711; 2722 

City of Gainesville / EPA $58,470 / EPA / 

July 10, 2006 

Upper Sweetwater Branch wateBenefits: Future site of water q

SWT34 - NW 14th Avenue Land Acquisition 

Sweetwater Branch; Paynes Prairie / 2711; 2722 

City of Gainesville / EPA $57,600 / EPA / 

June 28, 2004 

Upper Sweetwater Branch wateBenefits: Future site of water q

SWT35 - SE 19th Street, Rosewood Trash Trap Land Acquisition 

Sweetwater Branch; Paynes Prairie / 2711; 2722 

City of Gainesville / EPA $4,135 / EPA / 

February 29, 2004 

Upper Sweetwater Branch wateBenefits: Future site of water q

Newnans Lake NEW02 - Newnans Lake Conservation Area / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake; Hatchet Creek / 2705B; 2688 

SJRWMD / -- $5,727,400; $3,000,000 

planned / Preservation 2000 / 2001 

Alachua County; land around noNewnans Lake / Purchase of lanNewnans Lake for conservation 

No increase in surface runoff of change. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 97 

TABLE 10.8. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project D

NEW06 - Newnans Lake Addition / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Hatchet Creek; Newnans Lake; Little Hatchet Creek / 2688; 2695; 2705B 

ACEPD / SJRWMD; U.S. Dept. of the Interior Federal Forest Legacy Program (FFLP) 

$3,732,126 total cost / Alachua County Forever Bond proceeds ($1,617,000) ; FFLP and SJRWMD cost-share for remainder / June 1, 2005 

Newnans Lake / Land acquisitioBenefits: No increase in surfacland use change, continued aquecosystem/habitat preservation; Comp Plan Conservation and OAlachua County Forever Policy 6

NEW07 - Wainberg / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Newnans Lake / 2705B 

ACEPD / -- $175,000 / Alachua County 

Forever Bond proceeds / March 29, 2007 

Newnans Lake / Land acquisitioNewnans Lake). Benefits: No pollutants due to land use changrecharge and ecosystem/habitat Alachua County Comp Plan ConElement - Alachua County Forev

NEW16 - Duval Neighborhood Stormwater Park Land Acquisition 

Newnans Lake; Lake Forest Creek / 2705B 

City of Gainesville / Florida Communities Trust 

$238,291 total cost; $140,412 FCT; $97,879 Community Development Block Grant 

Land acquisition for subregional park setting. Benefits: Future spollutant load to Newnans Lakesupport ecosystem/habitat preseand environmental education. 

Orange Lake and Lochloosa Lake LOCH06 - Phifer Flatwoods / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Little Lochloosa Creek / 2705; 2693 

ACEPD / Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) 

$2,882,239 total cost / Alachua County Forever Bond proceeds / February 10, 2006 

Alachua County / Land acquisitiBenefits: No increase in surfacland use change, continued aquecosystem/habitat preservation; Comp Plan Conservation and OAlachua County Forever Policy 6

OR02 - Longleaf Flatwoods Preserve / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749 

ACEPD / SJRWMD $2,259,654 / Alachua 

County Forever Bond proceeds; SJRWMD costshare / August 28, 2003 

Alachua County / Land acquisitioPreserve. Benefits: No increaspollutants due to land use changrecharge and ecosystem/habitat Alachua County Comp Plan ConElement - Alachua County Forev
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 98 

TABLE 10.8. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody 

Name / WBID 

Lead Entity / Project 

Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project D

OR03 - Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake; Cross Creek; Lochloosa Lake / 2754; 2738A; 2749 

SJRWMD / Alachua County 

$16,058,211 / SJRWMD ad valorem; Preservation 2000; Alachua County cost-share / 2003 

Alachua County; land around Lonorth side of Orange Lake / LanWildlife Conservation Area. Bensurface runoff of pollutants due t

OR08 - Freddy Wood Tract / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2749; 2749A 

ACEPD / U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program (FRLPP) 

Not available / Alachua County Forever Bond proceeds; FRLPP cost-share / Ongoing 

Orange Lake / Land acquisition Benefits: No increase in surfacland use change, continued aquecosystem/habitat preservation; Comp Plan Conservation and OAlachua County Forever Policy 6

OR09 - Rayonier Tract (River Styx wetland) / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Orange Lake / 2733; 2744; 2734 

ACEPD / SJRWMD Not available / Alachua 

County Forever Bond proceeds / Ongoing 

River Styx / Land acquisition - RBenefits: No increase in surfacland use change, continued aquecosystem/habitat preservation; Comp Plan Conservation and OAlachua County Forever Policy 6
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 99 

TABLE 10.9. WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE 

MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND 

UPGRADE 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

Orange Creek Basin within GRU Service Area URBAN12 - Sanitary Sewer System Geodatabase / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

HUC 03080102 / Orange Creek Basin / 

GRU / -- Part of Water/Wastewater 

Engineering Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Budget / Part of Water/Wastewater Engineering O&M Budget / Ongoing 

Gainesville and environs (GRU comprehensive geodatabase fsystem data. This includes anstudies related to water qualityand inflow and infiltration data. 

information of sewer infrastruc

Alachua Sink AS03 - Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Reuse System / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A 

GRU / SJRWMD $587,288 / $100,000 SJRWMD; 

$487,288 GRU ratepayers / 2002 

Main Street to Depot Avenue wGainesville / Design and constreclaimed water main from MaAvenue. NPDES permit for dodischarge. Benefits: Wastewnutrient loading from Alachua S

AS10 - Main Street Water Reclamation Facility Future Water Reuse / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Alachua Sink / 2720A 

GRU / -- $1.548 million for completion of 

project, $674,000 FY 2007/ GRU ratepayers / 2007 

City of Gainesville / Design, peupgrades for delivering public from Main Street WRF. Includreclaimed water pump and higBenefits: Wastewater reuse wfrom Alachua Sink. 

NUTRIENT02 - Main Street Water Reclamation Facilities Annual Operation and Maintenance / Addresses Nutrient TMDL 

Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2720A; 2711 

GRU / -- $14.987 million FY 2002–06, 

about $3 million/yr (includes cost of Kanapaha WRF); $4.972 million FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

City of Gainesville / Alachua Cboth water reclamation facilitieNPDES permit requirements. wastewater discharge. BenefiNPDES permit. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 100 

TABLE 10.9. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

Urban Creeks: Hogtown, Sweetwater, Tumblin BACTERIA07 - Inflow and Infiltration Project - Phases I, II and III / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $2.372 million, FY 2002–07, 

about $474,000 /yr; $67,523 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek WatersheProject - Phases I, II, and III cocollection system integrity testitesting, dye testing, closed-circinspection to identify pipes with problems. Inspection followed defects. Phase III concentratewastewater service area in HoCreek, and Sweetwater Brancpossibility of wastewater releas

association between backgrouGRU's wastewater collection sdecreased probability of any cobackground levels is benefit of of project areas and benefits nand extent of GRU wastewatearea projects. 

BACTERIA08 - Sliplining Projects / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $4.7 million FY 1998–2006, 

about $522,000 / yr; $203,922 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek Watersheof City of Gainesville's wastewthrough sliplining. Though slipall over Gainesville wastewatework was performed in TumbliBranch, and Hogtown Creek wSliplining minimizes possibility creek. Benefits: Though no a

background fecal coliform leveCollection System has been esprobability of any contribution tbenefit of this project. ***Sepabenefits not feasible due to comwastewater collection system s
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 101 

TABLE 10.9. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

BACTERIA09 - GRU Lift Station Annual Operation and Maintenance / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $1.236 million FY 2002–07, 

about $247,000/yr; $435,811 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek WatersheGainesville's wastewater collecsystem integrity of lift stations. replacements, wetwell coatinggenerators, odor control, soft soverall lift station upgrades. Bassociation between backgrouGRU's Wastewater Collection established, decreased probabfecal background levels is ben***Separation of project areas to complexity and extent of GRservice area projects. 

BACTERIA10 - GRU Wastewater System Capital Projects / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $52.542 million FY 2002–06, 

about $10.508 million/yr; $7.919 million FY 2007  / GRU ratepayers / 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek Watersheto City of Gainesville wastewatsystem. Includes all capital prupgrades to force mains and grehabilitation and restoration focollection system integrity testisliplining, lift station abandonmservice lateral cleanout, and mwastewater treatment facility uBenefits: Though no associatfecal coliform levels and GRU'System has been established, contribution to fecal backgrounproject. ***Separation of projefeasible due to complexity and collection system service area 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 102 

TABLE 10.9. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

BACTERIA11 - GRU Wastewater Collection System Annual Rehabilitation and Replacement / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $14.129 million FY 2002–06, 

about 2.826 million/yr; $906,043 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek Watershereplacement of City of Gainesvsystem to maintain system inteof wastewater release. Includeof existing force mains and gra

Though no association betweelevels and GRU's Wastewater established, decreased probabfecal background levels is ben***Separation of project areas to complexity and extent of GRservice area projects. 

BACTERIA12 - GRU Lift Station Rehabilitation and Replacement / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $4.29 million FY 2002–06, about 

$878,000/yr; $567,971 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek Watershereplacement of City of Gainesvsystem to maintain system intepossibility of wastewater releasStation Rehabilitation and RepAbandonment plus extension. 

association between backgrouGRU's Wastewater Collection established, decreased probabfecal background levels is ben***Separation of project areas to complexity and extent of GRservice area projects. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 103 

TABLE 10.9. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

BACTERIA13 - GRU Wastewater Collection System Annual Operation and Maintenance / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Hogtown Creek / 2718A; 2711; 2698 

GRU / -- $8.874 million FY 2002–06, 

about $1.775 million/yr; $1.819 million FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek WatersheCollection System Annual Opemaintain system integrity. Minwastewater release. Includes existing force mains and gravit

no association between backgand GRU's Wastewater Collecestablished, decreased probabfecal background levels is ben***Separation of project areas to complexity and extent of GRservice area projects. 

BACTERIA14 - Water/Wastewater Engineering Dept. Annual Operation and Maintenance Services / Addresses Bacteria and Nutrient TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Tumblin Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Alachua Sink / 2698; 2711; 2718A; 2720A 

GRU / $2.737 million FY 2002–06, 

about $547,000/yr; $649,999 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek WatersheEngineering Dept. executes fivfor initiating and administrating Projects are timed and prioritizare available in timely manner to correct existing flow deficienfuture demands, maintain or immaintainability, minimize contacomply with Florida Statutes, inrequirements. Benefits: Thou

background fecal coliform leveCollection System has been esprobability of any contribution tbenefit of this project. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 104 

TABLE 10.9. (CONTINUED) 

Project Number - 

Project Name / Which 

Type of TMDL is 

Addressed? 

Waterbody Name 

/ WBID 

Lead Entity / 

Project Partners 

Cost / Source of Funding / 

Completion or Expected 

Completion Date 

General Location / Project 

BACTERIA15 - GRU Wastewater Collection System Annual Service Lateral Rehabilitation and Replacement / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Hogtown Creek; Sweetwater Branch; Tumblin Creek / 2698; 2711; 2718A 

GRU / -- $1.765 million FY 2002-6, 

about $353,000/yr; $414,653 295,000 FY 2007 / GRU ratepayers / Ongoing 

GRU WW Collection System Smiles) / Urban Creek Watershereplacement of City of Gainesvsystem to maintain system intelaterals and cleanouts. Benef

between background fecal coliWastewater Collection System decreased probability of any cobackground levels is benefit of of project areas and benefits nand extent of GRU WW collectprojects. 

TUM22 - Tumblin Creek Pedestal Removal / Addresses Bacteria TMDL 

Tumblin Creek / 2718A 

GRU / -- $80,000 / GRU ratepayers / -- Tumblin Creek / Removal of ab

collection pipe pedestal in Tumand bed scour. Benefits: Rem

control scouring of bank and bsolids in water column. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 105 

11.0 References 

Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. January 2004. Gainesville creeks: 

Storm event monitoring data 2003. Prepared for St. Johns River Water Management 

District, Palatka, Florida. 

Alachua County Environmental Protection Department. June 2007. Gainesville creeks—A 

status report on baseflow water quality, stormwater and ecosystem health for the Orange 

Creek Basin. Prepared for St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida. 

Burger, C., and W. Magley. September 19, 2003. Total Maximum Daily Load for fecal coliform 

bacteria for Sweetwater Branch, Alachua County, Florida, WBID 2711. Tallahassee, 

Florida: Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

CH2MHill. 1985. Tumblin Creek stormwater quality evaluation. James E. Scholl, P.E. 

Gainesville, Florida: CH2MHill. 

Gao, X., and D. Gilbert. September 19, 2003. Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load for Orange 

Lake, Alachua County, Florida. Tallahassee, Florida: Watershed Assessment Section, 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Gao, X., D. Gilbert, and W. Magley. January 23, 2006. Nutrient TMDL for Alachua Sink, WBID 

2720A. Tallahassee, Florida: Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection. 

Gao, X., and D. Gilbert. September 22, 2003. Final Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load for 

Newnans Lake, Alachua County, Florida. Tallahassee, Florida: Watershed Assessment 

Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Lassiter, A., A. Schwartz, and W. Magley. September 16, 2003. Total Maximum Daily Load for 

iron for Hatchet Creek, Alachua County, Florida, WBID 2688. Tallahassee, Florida: 

Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Opper, S.C. 1982. The hydrogeology of Lake Wauberg and vicinity, Alachua County, Florida. 

Master’s thesis, University of Florida. 

Orange Creek Basin Working Group and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

2008. Supporting Document for the 2007 Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee, Florida. 

Robison, C.P. 1992. An analysis of the Camps Canal Diversion. Palatka, Florida: St. Johns 

River Water Management District. 

Shelley, Z., and W. Magley. September 19, 2003. Total Maximum Daily Load for fecal coliform 

bacteria for Hogtown Creek, Alachua County, Florida, WBID 2698. Tallahassee, Florida: 

Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Shelly, Z., and W. Magley. September 19, 2003. Total Maximum Daily Loads for total and fecal 

coliform bacteria for Tumblin Creek, Alachua County, Florida, WBID 2718A. Tallahassee, 

Florida: Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Weimer, J. 2006. Personal Communication. Park Biologist. Florida State Park Services, 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. 

Wu, T.S., A. Baniukiewicz, and D.K. Gilbert. September 19, 2003. Nutrient Total Maximum 

Daily Load for Lake Wauberg Outlet, Alachua County, Florida. Tallahassee, Florida: 

Watershed Assessment Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 
FINAL Orange Creek Basin Adoptable BMAP—April 24 2008 

 106 

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Antibiotic resistance analysis (ARA): A type of microbial source tracking in which fecal 

samples from known sources—such as humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife—are tested for 

antibiotic resistance. 

Atmospheric deposition: Pollutants from a variety of sources that settle out of air by gravity or 

are deposited onto land or into lakes, rivers, and other waterbodies by wind and rain. 

Background: The condition of waters in the absence of human-induced alterations. 

Baffle box: An underground stormwater management device that uses barriers (or baffles) to 

slow the flow of untreated stormwater, allowing particulates to settle out in the box before 

the stormwater is released into the environment. 

Baseflow: The portion of a river or stream’s flow that comes from ground water.

Baseline period: A period of time used as a basis for later comparison.

Baseline loading: The quantity of pollutants in a waterbody, used as a basis for later 

comparison.

Basin management action plan (BMAP): The document that describes how a specific TMDL 

will be implemented; the plan describes the specific load and wasteload allocations as well 

as the stakeholder efforts that will be undertaken to achieve an adopted TMDL. 

Best management practices (BMPs): Methods that have been determined to be the most 

effective, practical means of preventing or reducing pollution from nonpoint sources. 

Biological oxygen demand (BOD): The amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) used by aquatic 

microorganisms.2 

Continuous deflective separation (CDS) unit: A patented stormwater management device 

that uses the available energy of the storm flow to create a vortex to separate solids from 

fluids. Pollutants are captured inside the separation chamber, while the water passes out 

through the separation screen.

Designated use: Uses specified in water quality standards for each waterbody or waterbody 

segment (such as drinking water, swimming, or fishing). 

Detention pond: A stormwater system that delays the downstream progress of stormwater 

runoff in a controlled manner, typically by using temporary storage areas and a metered 

outlet device. 

 

2

 Microorganisms such as bacteria are responsible for decomposing organic waste. When organic matter such as dead plants, 

leaves, grass clippings, manure, sewage, or even food waste is present in a water supply, bacteria begin the process of breaking 

down the waste. When this happens, aerobic bacteria consume much of the available DO, robbing other aquatic organisms of the 

oxygen they need to live. BOD is a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose this waste. If there is a large 

quantity of organic waste in the water supply, a lot of bacteria will be present working to decompose this waste. In this case, the 

demand for oxygen will be high (due to all the bacteria); consequently, the BOD level will be high. As the waste is consumed or 

dispersed through the water, BOD levels will begin to decline. 

Nitrates and phosphates in a body of water can contribute to high BOD levels. Nitrates and phosphates are plant nutrients and can 

cause plant life and algae to grow quickly. When plants grow quickly, they also die quickly. This contributes to the organic waste in 

the water, which is then decomposed by bacteria, resulting in a high BOD level. When BOD levels are high, DO levels decrease, 

because bacteria are consuming the oxygen that is available in the water. Since less DO is available in the water, fish and other 

aquatic organisms may not survive. 
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Dissolved oxygen (DO): The amount of oxygen gas dissolved in a given volume of water at a 

particular temperature and pressure, often expressed as a concentration in parts of oxygen 

per million parts of water. 

Effluent: Wastewater that flows into a receiving stream by way of a domestic or industrial 

discharge point. 

Emergent: Emerging to the surface of a waterbody. 

Exfiltration: The loss of water from a drainage system as the result of percolation or absorption 

into the surrounding soil. 

External loading: Pollutants originating from outside a waterbody that contribute to its pollutant 

load. 

Geodatabase: A database used to store and manipulate geographic information and spatial 

data. 

Hydrodynamic separator: Any device used to slow the flow of untreated stormwater, allowing 

particulates to settle out before the stormwater is released into the environment. Baffle box 

and CDS devices described above are some examples. 

Hypereutrophic: The accelerated aging and filling in of a waterbody, caused by increased 

levels of nutrients that result in frequent and severe algal blooms and low transparency.

Impairment: The condition of a waterbody that does not achieve water quality standards 

(designated use) due to pollutants or an unknown cause.

Infiltration & Inflow (I&I): Stormwater or ground water that enters municipal wastewater 

systems through cracked pipes, leaking manholes, residential sump pumps, downspouts, 

and other sources. 

Internal recycling: The process through which nitrogen and phosphorus are returned to the 

water column from decomposing organic matter in sediments. 

Littoral: The banks of a river, lake, or estuary. 

Loading: The total quantity of pollutants in stormwater runoff that contributes to water quality.

Load Allocations (LAs): The portions of a receiving water's loading capacity that are allocated 

to one of its existing or future nonpoint sources of pollution. 

Low-impact Development (LID): An approach to land development that uses various land 

planning and design practices and technologies to simultaneously conserve and protect 

natural resource systems and reduce infrastructure costs. LID facilitates land development 

in a cost-effective manner that helps mitigate potential environmental impacts.

Macrophyte: Rooted and floating aquatic plants that are large enough to be perceived or 

examined by the unaided eye. 

Margin of safety (MOS): An explicit or implicit assumption used in the calculation of a TMDL 

that takes into account any lack of knowledge concerning the relationship between effluent 

limitations and water quality. An explicit MOS is typically a percentage of the assimilative 

capacity or some other specific amount of pollutant loading (e.g., the loading from an out-ofstate source). Most DEP-adopted TMDLs include an implicit MOS based on the fact that 

the predictive model runs incorporate a variety of conservative assumptions (they examine 

worst-case ambient flow conditions, worst-case temperature, and assume that all permitted 

point sources discharge at their maximum permittable amount). 
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 108 

Mass balance calculation: The quantification of the amount of material going into and out of a 

process; the difference between the two is assumed to be discharged to the environment.

Microbial source tracking (MST): Also called bacterial source tracking, MST is a group of 

scientific methods used for determining the source of fecal contamination (i.e., human, 

wildlife, agricultural, or pet wastes). 

Municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4): A publicly owned conveyance or system of 

conveyances (i.e., ditches, curbs, catch basins, underground pipes, etc.) that is designed or 

used for collecting or conveying stormwater and that discharges to surface waters of the 

state. An MS4 can be operated by municipalities, counties, drainage districts, colleges, 

military bases, or prisons, to name a few examples.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): The permitting process by which 

technology-based and water quality–based controls are implemented.

Nonpoint source (NPS): Diffuse runoff without a single point of origin that flows over the 

surface of the ground by stormwater and is then introduced to surface or ground water. 

NPSs include atmospheric deposition and runoff or leaching from agricultural lands, urban 

areas, unvegetated lands, on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems, and 

construction sites. 

Notice of intent (NOI): A formal notice of an action to be taken, usually the filing of a permit. 

On-site sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS): A septic system. 

Optical brightener: A dye that absorbs light in the ultraviolet and violet region of the 

electromagnetic spectrum and increases the amount of reflected light. These additives are 

used n detergents to brighten white clothing. When released into water, they can be traced 

and used as an indicator of wastewater releases, provided the wastewater contains laundry 

discharges. 

Outfall: The place where a sewer, drain, or stream discharges. 

Particulate: A minute separate particle, as of a granular substance or powder. 

Phytoplankton: Single-celled aquatic algae. 

Pollutant load reduction goals (PLRGs): PLRGs are defined as estimated numeric reductions 

in pollutant loadings needed to preserve or restore the designated uses of receiving bodies 

of water and maintain water quality consistent with applicable state water quality standards. 

PLRGs are developed by the water management districts. 

Point source: An identifiable and confined discharge point for one or more water pollutants, 

such as a pipe, channel, vessel, or ditch. 

Pollutant: Generally any substance, such as a chemical or waste product, introduced into the 

environment that adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. 

Pollution: An undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air, 

water, soil, or food that can adversely affect the health, survival, or activities of humans or 

other living organisms. 

Retention pond: A stormwater management structure whose primary purpose is to 

permanently store a given volume of stormwater runoff, releasing it by infiltration and /or 

evaporation. 
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 109 

Reuse: The deliberate application of reclaimed water for a beneficial purpose. Criteria used to 

classify projects as “reuse” or “effluent disposal” are contained in Section 62-610.810, 

F.A.C. 

Quality assurance (QA): An integrated system of management activities involving planning, 

implementation, documentation, assessment, reporting, and quality improvement to ensure 

that a process, product, or service meets defined standards of quality. 

Ribotyping: DNA analysis used to determine the probable source of E. coli or other bacterial 

contamination. 

Septic tank: A watertight receptacle constructed to promote the separation of solid and liquid 

components of wastewater, to provide the limited digestion of organic matter, to store 

solids, and to allow clarified liquid to discharge for further treatment and disposal in a soil 

absorption system. 

Silviculture: The science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and 

quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a 

sustainable basis. 

Stormceptor: A type of hydrodynamic separator manufactured by the Stormceptor 

Corporation. 

Stormwater: Water that results from a rainfall event. 

Stormwater runoff: The portion of rainfall that hits the ground and is not evaporated, 

percolated or transpired into vegetation, but rather flows over the ground surface seeking a 

receiving waterbody. 

Submersed: Growing or remaining under water. 

Sub-basin: Hydrologic units in a watershed that function as a miniwatershed, the boundaries of 

which are defined by topography and drainage patterns. 

Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Waterbody: A waterbody designated 

by statute or by a water management district for priority management to restore and 

maintain water quality, habitat, and other natural features. 

Tertiary treatment: The final stage of wastewater treatment to improve effluent quality before it 

is discharged to the environment.

Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs): The sum of the individual wasteload allocations for point 

sources and the load allocations for nonpoint sources and natural background. Before 

determining individual wasteload allocations and load allocations, the maximum amount of 

a pollutant that a waterbody or waterbody segment can assimilate from all sources while 

still maintaining its designated use must first be calculated. TMDLs are based on the 

relationship between pollutants and in-stream water quality conditions. 

Total nitrogen (TN): TN is the combined measurement of nitrogen in nitrate (NO3), nitrite 

(NO2), ammonia, and organic compounds found in water, measured in milligrams per liter. 

Nitrogen compounds function as important nutrients to many aquatic organisms and are 

essential to the chemical processes that occur between land, air, and water. The most 

readily bioavailable forms of nitrogen are ammonia and nitrate. These compounds, in 

conjunction with other nutrients, serve as an important base for primary productivity. 

Total phosphorus (TP): TP is the combined measurement of phosphorus as phosphate (PO4) 

and organic compounds found in water, measured in milligrams per liter. It is one of the 

primary nutrients regulating algal and macrophyte growth in natural waters, particularly in 
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 110 

fresh water. While it is essential to the growth of plants and other organisms in aquatic 

systems, excessive amounts increase the rate of plant growth and cause accelerated 

eutrophication and algal blooms. Phosphorus is a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems, 

meaning that its availability controls the growth rate of plants and other organisms. 

Phosphate, the form in which almost all inorganic TP is found in the water column, can 

enter the aquatic environment in a number of ways. Natural processes transport phosphate 

to water through atmospheric deposition, ground water percolation, and terrestrial runoff. 

Municipal treatment plants, industries, agriculture, and domestic activities also contribute to 

phosphate loading through direct discharge and natural transport mechanisms. The very 

high levels of TP in some of Florida’s streams and estuaries are usually caused by 

phosphate-mining and fertilizer-processing activities. 

Total suspended solids (TSS): The measurement of TSS consists of determining the dry 

weight of particulates in the water column. Both organic and inorganic materials contribute 

to TSS in water. 

Trophic State Index (TSI): The TSI measures the potential for algal or aquatic weed growth, 

and is used to indicate the water quality of lakes and estuaries. Its components include TN, 

TP, and chlorophyll. 

Turbidity: The presence of suspended material such as clay, silt, finely divided organic 

material, plankton, and other inorganic material in the water. 

Vortech: A type of hydrodynamic separator manufactured by the Vortechnics Company.

Wasteload allocations (WLAs): Pollutant loads allotted to existing and future point sources, 

such as discharges from industry and sewage facilities. 

Wastewater: The combination of liquid and pollutants from residences, commercial buildings, 

industrial plants, and institutions, together with any ground water, surface runoff, or 

leachate that may be present. 

Waterbody identification (WBID) numbers: WBIDs are numbers assigned to hydrologically 

based drainage areas in a river basin. 

Water column: The water in a waterbody between the surface and sediments. 

Water quality standards: (1) Standards comprising designated most beneficial uses 

(classification of water), the numeric and narrative criteria applied to the specific water use 

or classification, the Florida Anti-degradation Policy, and the moderating provisions 

contained in Rules 62-302 and 62-4, F.A.C. (2) State-adopted and EPA-approved ambient 

standards for waterbodies. The standards prescribe the use of the waterbody (e.g., 

drinking, fishing and swimming, and shellfish harvesting) and establish the water quality 

criteria that must be met to protect designated uses. 

Watershed: A topographic area that contributes or may contribute runoff to specific surface 

waters or an area of recharge. 

Watershed management approach: The process of addressing water quality concerns within 

their natural boundaries, rather than political or regulatory boundaries. The process draws 

together all the participants and stakeholders in each basin to decide what problems affect 

water quality in the basin, which are most important, and how they will be addressed.