BH-9
Enhance Ecosystem Values of Tidal Tributaries
OBJECTIVES:
Improve the ecosystem value of tidal tributaries of Tampa Bay. Develop indicators of tidal
tributary health and function; continue monitoring in tidal tributaries; identify and implement
projects to remove artificial barriers in tidal tributaries; improve public awareness of the value
and benefits of healthy tidal tributaries.
STATUS:
Ongoing. Originally added to the CCMP as a 2012 Amendment, this revision incorporates initial
pilot projects to remove or modify structures, and monitor changes in water quality, vegetation
and fisheries use. This update also summarizes new research to characterize tidal tributaries to
facilitate development of numeric nutrient criteria.
BACKGROUND:
Tidal tributaries are an important, diverse and often-neglected ecosystem in the bay watershed.
Distinctly different from freshwater systems and the open bay, these variable-salinity streams,
creeks and back-water systems serve an important niche in fisheries production, nutrient cycling,
wading bird foraging and flood prevention/detention.
Since 2006, select tidal creeks of the Tampa Bay watershed have been monitored to evaluate
tidal patterns, shoreline vegetation, fish populations, sediment quality and nutrient levels (FW-5).
Despite water quality often characterized by low dissolved oxygen levels and higher relative
nutrient and chlorophyll levels, these systems have been shown to support high densities of many
juvenile fish and baitfish species. Research coordinated by TBEP found that juvenile snook -- a
premier sport fish -- were up to 36 times more abundant inside the sampled tributaries than
outside.
Current efforts include research supported by EPA Wetlands Development Grants to develop
environmental indicators of tidal tributary health and nursery function. Due to large differences
from creek to creek, preliminary results suggest there is no single optimum water quality
criterion for setting appropriate nutrient targets and thresholds to maintain ecological
productivity. Instead, tidal creek health may be more reliably predicted by the status of its fish
populations, especially recruitment and survival of a diversity of very young fish in planktonic
and juvenile forms (Wessel, Peebles). Continued and long-term tidal creek biological monitoring
is warranted, especially expanding monitoring efforts to inventory ecological conditions in
unsampled creeks (FW-5).
Most of the more than 100 tidal creeks in the bay watershed are less than six miles long and
narrow, averaging about 75-150 feet wide. Many have been significantly altered by dredging,
road construction, shoreline development and channelization to facilitate flood control. A 2012
inventory commissioned by TBEP identified 344 structures that are potentially blocking or
impeding tidal flows and fish movement in bay tributaries. These barriers include water control
structures, weirs, railroad bridges, culverts and road crossings. Fish and wildlife also are
impacted by channelizing and ditching natural creeks for mosquito control, flood prevention and
general upland development.
Removing some of these “salinity barriers” could benefit snook and other fish by promoting
more natural fluctuations in water levels that occur with rising and falling tides, instead of the
irregular and often large pulses of nutrient-laden waters released from the highly altered systems
during heavy rains. Removal or modification of physical barriers also enhances the overall
connectivity of the bay’s tidal habitats.
However, restoration efforts are often complicated by such factors as public versus private
ownership of the barriers and adjacent land; potential impacts to surrounding property owners;
contrasting management objectives (flood control vs. water quality protection); and overall water
quality benefits of restoring hydrologic function relative to costs.
Pilot projects sponsored jointly by TBEP and the Southwest Florida Water Management District
in Pinellas County (Channel 5) and Hillsborough County (Channels A and G) have helped to
quantify costs, techniques and issues, creating a basic framework by which additional projects
can be evaluated and incorporated into future restorations plans.
Modifying a weir and restoring a shoreline near the mouth of Channel 5, a highly channelized
tributary just east of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, should attract small baitfish, crabs
and other marine creatures that serve as food for larger fish like snook as well as wading birds
Channel 5 connects to what was originally a natural tidal creek (Badwater Creek) that was
ditched in the 1950s to drain the surrounding wetlands for development and agricultural uses.
When complete, this project will create more than 76 acres of low-salinity habitat.
Additionally, two water control structures on Channels A and G in the Rocky Creek and Brushy
Creek watersheds in upper Tampa Bay are being kept open for a 2-year period to monitor water
quality and fisheries changes resulting from unrestricted tidal flow. (final project report expected
Fall 2015)
Channels A and G were originally constructed to prevent flooding of nearby lands, and the two
structures were installed in the 1970s to prevent salt water from moving upstream and
penetrating to the groundwater system through breaches created by construction of the channels.
As part of the pilot study, manatee exclusion barriers on both structures also were removed so
that all fish and wildlife, including manatees, could travel upstream. Vegetation above and below
the structures is being monitored to determine if saltwater wetland plants like marsh grass and
mangroves will expand over time.
Public workshops held in conjunction with both these pilot projects highlight the importance of
communicating project goals to nearby residents, and promoting public understanding of tidal
creeks as vital nurseries for popular recreational fish, foraging grounds for wading birds, natural
stormwater treatment areas and resilient habitats that can adapt to rising seas.
Other techniques currently being used to restore tidal flows to support fish and wildlife include
blocking of mosquito control ditches and blasting or excavation of mounds created by the
ditching in mangrove forests.
Together, these research, monitoring and restoration efforts represent a comprehensive approach
to improved overall management and protection of tidal tributaries throughout the bay
watershed.
STRATEGY:
Activity 1.
Continue to develop and monitor environmental indicators of tidal tributary health
and nursery function:
 Participate in collaborative effort to develop specific environmental
indicators and/or biological criteria for tidal tributaries in Southwest
Florida estuaries
 Continue to track amount of oligohaline habitat restored, protected or
enhanced as part of the Tampa Bay Habitat Master Plan.
 Further refine existing priority list of tidal tributaries with hydrological
alterations to identify and assess those with greatest potential for
restoration
 Continue to monitor fish, water quality and habitat condition in tidal
tributaries.
Responsible parties:
 Environmental indicators: SBEP (lead) with TBEP, CHNEP, FDEP, EPA,
FWC, Counties in SW Florida
 Low-salinity habitat restored and refined priority list for hydrologic
restoration: TBEP (lead) as an element of the Tampa Bay Habitat Master
Plan.
 Monitoring: FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program (lead)
Timeframe: Ongoing. Indicators development initiated in 2013 with expected
completion of 2016; Bay Habitat Master Plan will be revised by 2019. Fish and
water quality monitoring ongoing.
Cost and potential funding sources: $$$; Section 320 funds for Habitat Master
Plan; EPA Wetland Development Grant funds for indicator development; FWC
funds for monitoring. Potential funding sources for future assessment and
monitoring include TBERF, PRF grant funds, NFWF grants, EPA, FWC or other
agencies.
Location: Tidal tributaries baywide
Benefit/Performance measures: Method to assess status and trends of
environmental indicators for tidal tributaries in Tampa Bay.
Results: Environmental indicators help set and assess restoration targets.
Deliverables:
 Final Report on environmental indicators for tidal tributaries, for EPA
Wetland Development Grant
 Detailed mapping and monitoring data on fish, water quality and habitat
extent and quality in sampled tidal tributaries
 Tidal tributaries chapter in Tampa Bay Habitat Master Plan, including
focused “short list” of projects resulting in higher potential for funding
and ecological success.
Activity 2:
Implement projects to remove priority salinity barriers where partial or complete
hydrologic restoration/enhancement/creation would benefit fisheries and wildlife.
Enlist stakeholder input (including residents upstream and downstream of project
areas) to ensure understanding of benefits and possible changes resulting from
implementation of the restoration project. Communicate potential benefits of
projects as part of regional sea level rise adaptation.
Responsible parties: Potential implementing partners include SWFWMD,
FWC, USFWS, NOAA, local governments
Timeframe: Initiate after ongoing projects are completed and success is
evaluated, by 2022.
Cost and potential funding sources: $$$-$$$$. Potential funding sources
for future hydrologic restoration projects TBERF, PRF grant funds,
NFWF grants, EPA, FWC or other agencies, Sea Grant.
Location: Priority tidal tributaries, as defined in Activity 1.
Benefit/Performance measures: Increased number of hydrologicallyrestored tidal tributaries in Tampa Bay.
Result: Increased connectivity between watershed and bay, and increased
accessibility to low-salinity habitat for fish and other estuarine species.
Deliverables: Restoration project reports
Activity 3.
Improve coordination between agencies and organizations involved in flood
control, habitat protection and water quality improvements to facilitate tidal
tributaries restoration that supports comprehensive management goals.
Responsible parties: Potential implementing partners include TBRPC
ABM, FWC-FWRI, SWFWMD, FDEP, FDOT, Tampa Bay Water, Port
Tampa Bay
Timeframe: Initiate by 2018
Cost and potential funding sources: No additional cost required.
Location: Baywide
Benefit/Performance measure: Increased coordination between agencies
Results: Improved coordination will achieve cost-effective, dual-purpose
restoration that bolsters public safety and property protection while
achieving regional restoration goals for low-salinity habitats that sustain
fisheries and wildlife.
Deliverables: n/a
Activity 4.
Improve public awareness of the importance of tidal tributaries and foster
additional citizen stewardship opportunities for these systems in Tampa Bay.
 Encourage programs that directly involve citizens who live on near
tidal streams in water quality and habitat monitoring/improvement,
such as Stream WaterWatch and Adopt A Creek.
 Promote partnerships with schools that border tidal creeks, and
with local universities and community colleges, who could
incorporate water quality and vegetation sampling on creeks
as part of coursework for students, or offer training and support to
volunteers in specific creekside neighborhoods.
Responsible parties: Local governments (lead), Extension Services,
NGOs, local universities and community colleges
Timeframe: Some awareness efforts ongoing; encourage additional
activities by 2017
Cost and potential funding sources : $; Potential funding sources include
TBEP Bay Minigrants; TBERF and Sea Grant grants; local government
staff time; public or private schools
Benefit/Performance measure: Increased public awareness and support
for tidal tributaries restoration and protection
Result: Public awareness and support can reduce the cost and time for
implementing restoration projects, and create community support for
protection of tidal tributaries.
Deliverables: Potential deliverables include education/stewardship
materials for homeowners; school curriculum addressing tidal tributaries
Accomplishments for BH-9
BH-9 Enhance ecosystem values of tidal tributaries
1996-2006
Action Title: None. New action adopted in 2012.
2006-2016
Action Title: None. New action adopted in 2012.
TBEP played a role in the following:
 Initiated and funded the Tampa Bay Tidal Tributary Habitat Initiative. The objectives of
the TBEP study were to improve protection and management of these minor, tidallyinfluenced systems in the Tampa Bay estuary by: 1) characterizing the fisheries resources
of Tampa Bay tidal tributaries; 2) determining the effects of various habitat parameters
(e.g., watershed condition, water quality, structural habitat, etc.) on fisheries resources in
tidal tributaries; 3) developing measurable goals and management recommendations from
these characterizations and analyses that will lead to the development of a Tidal Tributary
Management Strategy, and 4) ultimately communicating the results and recommendations
to managers and the public to support informed decision-making regarding the
preservation or restoration of tidal tributaries. TBEP Technical Reports #02-08; #03-08.

The project team also developed measurable targets for protection and restoration of
Tampa Bay’s tidal creeks; monitoring strategy elements; and management action plan
elements, such as maintaining natural connectivity between open bay waters, tidal rivers
and tidal creeks to allow fish movement, water flow and nutrient flux; reducing
“flashiness” of water flow to tidal creeks to promote benthic microalgae productivity and
trophic intermediates; maintaining and tracking conditions of nursery functions and
physical parameters in tidal creeks; and improving public education and stewardship of
tidal creeks. TBEP Technical Reports #02-08; #03-08.

Several projects have been initiated to implement recommendations from the Tidal
Tributaries Habitat project, primarily focused on improving natural connectivity between
open bay water and tidal creeks. Completed and ongoing projects include a
comprehensive inventory of salinity barriers across Tampa Bay, which identified a total
of 528 barriers, crossings and control structures on tidal tributaries and rivers throughout
Tampa Bay ; identification and feasibility assessment of barriers that could be modified
or removed to increase natural conductivity ; and an ongoing evaluation of Tampa Bay
and Sarasota Bay tidal creeks to assist in the development of defensible and protective
numeric nutrient criteria for these important tidal systems. TBEP Technical Report #09-
12.

Funded an evaluation of zooplankton as a metric for the trophic state of six Tampa Bay
tidal creeks. An index was developed to assess differences between creeks, which may
be useful for future evaluations. The sampled creeks were split between northern and
southern geographic groups, but differences in relative hydrodynamic connectivity to
open bay waters appeared to be more important in explaining trophic state. TBEP
Technical Report #03-15.