District to mechanically remove nuisance vegetation within the Orange Creek Restoration Area
The Orange Creek Restoration Area mechanical vegetation harvest was approved by the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board in July.
PALATKA, Fla., July 30, 2021 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is launching a project to mechanically harvest and remove mats of floating vegetation —and their associated nutrients — from waters within the Orange Creek Restoration Area. The Orange Creek Restoration Area’s boat ramp is closed for the duration of the project, which is anticipated to start in early August and continue into September.
The Orange Creek Restoration Area mechanical vegetation harvest was approved by the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board in July.
“Many partners are working together to improve water quality in the Orange Creek Basin,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “This mechanical harvesting project will remove invasive and exotic vegetation as well as an estimated 300,000 pounds of nitrogen and 7,000 pounds of phosphorus from the Orange Creek ecosystem.”
Work begins in early August to remove approximately 30 acres of exotic and invasive vegetation consisting of cattail, primrose willow and Cuban bulrush. The $272,400 project will enhance the health of nutrient-impaired Orange Creek by improving water quality and habitat conditions. Another benefit of removing floating tussocks is improving access for other restoration activities and public recreation. This project complements a similar 2019 project on Orange Lake by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
During the project, the boat ramp will be closed to the public, and the white blazed multi-use trail will be rerouted. Work will not take place during the weekend duck hunts beginning in September. The District urges caution around the project site and equipment. The harvested material will be transported to an upland pasture on the property where it will decay.
The Orange Creek Restoration Area is part of the historic marsh and floodplain of Orange Lake as well as the larger, nutrient-impaired Orange Creek Basin. Beginning in the 1920s, the marshes on the Orange Creek Restoration Area were ditched and drained for agriculture use.
The District purchased the property in 1998, and restoration work began soon after, including removing levees, filling ditches and reflooding the marsh. Restoration work on the site today concentrates on nuisance and exotic plant management and water quality improvements.