Black Creek Water Resource Development project
Updated on 2-5-2024
The primary goal of the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project is to increase recharge to the Upper Floridan aquifer in northeast Florida using excess flow from Black Creek, in Clay County.
The project is among several identified in the North Florida Regional Water Supply Plan (NFRWSP) to help meet future water supply demands while protecting natural resources. This project, which will be built in southwest Clay County between Penney Farms and Camp Blanding, focuses on providing recharge to the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Keystone Heights region and Lower Santa Fe basin.
The project will divert up to 10 million gallons per day from the South Fork of Black Creek during wet weather high flow periods. Diversions will only be made when there is sufficient flow available to ensure the protection of natural resources within the creek. The water will be pumped through a transmission system before being treated for color and nutrients prior to discharge into Alligator Creek. Alligator Creek flows into Lake Brooklyn, which will increase recharge to the Upper Floridan aquifer through the lake bottom.
The project is also expected to contribute to regional minimum flows and levels (MFLs) recovery and may help improve water levels in lakes and the Alligator Creek system, including drought-stressed lakes Brooklyn and Geneva. Restoration of the lakes is a secondary benefit of the project.
The current cost estimate for the construction of the system, including the pump station, pipeline and treatment system, is approximately $100 million. Funding for the project was provided in the St. Johns River and Keystone Heights Lake Region Projects legislative appropriations over three years beginning in 2017. The total appropriation was more than $48 million, of which nearly $43.4 million was allocated to the Black Creek project. Additionally, north Florida utilities are contributing $19.2 million toward the project. Those utilities include Clay County Utility Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, St. Johns County Utilities, and JEA. The remaining balance will be provided from District funds. The appropriation was championed by Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island (who currently serves as the District’s Governing Board Chairman), Rep. Bobby Payne of Palatka, and Rep. Travis Cummings from Orange Park.
Members of the Save Our Lakes Organization celebrate with District Governing Board Chair Rob Bradley and Executive Director Mike Register at an Oct. 21, 2022, construction kickoff event.
Black Creek project event, March 26, 2021
Kickoff event, March 2017
Frequently asked questions
We are committed to keeping the public informed as the project progresses. To be added to the project information distribution list, please email contactus@sjrwmd.com with the subject line Black Creek.
How will the project impact salinity concentrations in Black Creek?
Potential salinity changes would be the equivalent of 1/16th of a teaspoon in a gallon of water.
These small changes in salinity would result in unnoticeable shifts in wetland communities both in Black Creek and the St. Johns River.
The point at which saltwater meets freshwater potentially could move by up to 250 feet as a result of this project, which is equivalent to less than the length of a football field.
Will the project reduce the flow of water in Black Creek?
Not significantly. In fact, at low flows, or approximately 25 percent of the time, there will be no withdrawals from Black Creek in order to be protective of the natural systems in the Creek.
When flow levels are average or above average, no more than 10 million gallons a day will be diverted for aquifer recharge. That’s no more than 4% of the total flow in Black Creek.
The maximum pumping of 10 million gallons a day will have little to no impact on the environment, according to a preliminary environmental assessment.
What is the project’s effect on Black Creek’s water quality?
This project will have little to no impact on water quality.
Water quality in Black Creek is generally good and this project will not change that.
What studies have been conducted to guide the project and reassure the public?
The District conducted a preliminary assessment that shows that the proposed quantity of surface water may be safely diverted from Black Creek with little to no environmental effects. You can find the Black Creek Water Resource Development Assessment report above.
A detailed alternative treatment analysis to reduce color in the Black Creek water to match the water in Lake Brooklyn was conducted. This analysis looked at potential treatment alternatives using several technologies, including coagulation, oxidation, adsorption, ion exchange, membranes, and biological processes. Over 30 treatment alternatives were evaluated based on their ability to treat for color as well as other concerns such as general capital costs, residuals management, storage of chemicals, and footprint and accessibility required for construction and operation. The analysis concluded a passive treatment system met the color reduction levels required, is the most cost effective, will blend in well with the natural environment at Camp Blanding and will minimize any accessibility concerns on base.
Additional evaluations will occur as permitting, design and engineering move forward.
Has pumping already begun at Black Creek?
No, the project is in construction phase. Pumping will not begin until the construction of the system is complete.
Are there concerns that EZ Base could contaminate the project site or Black Creek itself?
No, the area where EZ Base concerns exist near Camp Blanding are not geographically near the Black Creek Project application site or recharge areas.
For additional information about EZ Base, please reach out to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Northeast District Ombudsman, Russell Simpson, at 904-256-1653.
How is this project beneficial and to whom?
The project is among several identified in the 2017 NFRWSP to help meet future water supply demands across the region while protecting natural resources.
The project will recharge the Upper Floridan aquifer in northeast Florida, helping to sustain or recover established MFLs in the region while also benefitting water users.
While the project may help improve water levels in lakes in Keystone Heights and throughout the Alligator Creek system, including drought-stressed lakes Brooklyn and Geneva, its purpose is to recharge the Upper Floridan aquifer and is expected to benefit MFLs in the region.
When did the public learn about this project?
This project has been discussed broadly with the public since May 2013.
The Black Creek project is part of the 2017 NFRWSP, which was developed through a highly collaborative process among the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts and FDEP, local governments, public supply utilities, environmental advocates and other stakeholders.
Over four years, the NFRWSP planning process included 36 Stakeholder Advisory Committee meetings, more than 50 other stakeholder meetings and two public workshops to engage stakeholders to understand their individual perspectives as related to water resource issues in north Florida.
The District will continue to provide project updates on this webpage as the project progresses to keep the public informed.
How are you keeping the public informed about the Black Creek project?
This webpage is dedicated to the Black Creek Project. We also continue to share project progress and updates through our District Facebook and Twitter pages, @sjrwmd.
Achieved milestones
- August 2023 – District Governing Board approves contract to construct treatment system
- September 2022 — District Governing Board approves contract to construct pipeline
- July 2022 — District Governing Board approves contract to begin construction of the intake and pump station
- May 2022 — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 permit issued
- February 2022 — Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) NPDES permit issued
- March 2022 — FDEP Individual Environmental Resource permit issued
- January 2021 — Pilot study initiated of passive treatment system
- December 2020 — Evaluation of treatment alternatives completed
- October 2018 — Florida Department of Transportation permit issued
- June 2018 — Application submitted to USACE
- 2018 — Completed topographic survey, geotechnical report, archeological study, endangered species report and acquired land and easements for the project
Project schedule
July 2017
District Governing Board approved the design contractor ranking, authorization of final contract execution and associated budget transfers
FY 2018
- Design and engineering
- Land acquisition
FY 2019
- Permitting
FY 2020
- Evaluation of treatment alternatives
- Permitting
FY 2021
- Pilot study for source water (Black Creek) treatability
- Design completion
- Submit permit application
FY 2022
- Finalize permitting
- Pump station and pipeline construction bid
- Begin construction of pump station
FY 2023
- Begin construction of pipeline
- Treatment area construction bid
FY 2024
- Begin construction of treatment system
Early FY 2025
- Initial operation of pump station, pipeline and treatment system