Lake Gem Mary Hydrologic and Nutrient Budgets
Orlando, FL
Hydrologic and nutrient budgets were developed for Lake Gem Mary in an effort to identify significant pollution sources and provide a ranking of basin areas with respect to annual mass loadings and area loadings to the lake.The hydrologic budget included estimated inputs from precipitation, groundwater seepage, and stormwater runoff. The nutrient budget included inputs from bulk precipitation, groundwater seepage, internal recycling, and stormwater runoff.
A 12-month field monitoring program was proposed to collect data on groundwater seepage and sediment characteristics. This study included both dry and wet season conditions and was used to develop the seasonal hydrologic and nutrient budgets. A water quality management plan was developed to identify specific projects and recommendations designed to maintain and improve water quality in Lake Gem Mary. DEP SOPs for field work (DEP-SOP-001/01) were followed during this project by CPWG and its sub-consultants. The recommendations included both structural and non-structural activities.