Evaluating Fisheries Habitat Improvements in a Newly Flooded Reservoir

Increasing human populations in Florida are expected to have effects on freshwater resources. The need for flood control impoundments will likely increase in the future. One of these impoundments, Fellsmere Water Management Area (FWMA) is scheduled for flooding in 2016.  The 10,000 acre property purchased by the St. Johns Water Management District was flat and monotypic agricultural land, not ideal for fish habitat.  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been making habitat improvements in selected areas of the reservoir. Including roughly 1,800 acres that has been modified to create divots, ditches, humps, shelves and other land configurations that are expected to hold fish and enhance the sport fishery. The habitat enhancements cost over US$ One Million dollars to the state. Therefore, research is needed to determine the impact that the created habitat will have on the fish community, and sport fishery.  These enhancements are expected to influence fish communities through creation of structured habitat, development of vegetation, and impacts to water quality. FWMA represents a unique opportunity to study biological, chemical, and physical responses to flooding. By taking a holistic approach, this project will help guide managers in future water retention reservoir design and construction.