| Session III: Posters |
Abstract #: 97310 |
MAPPING OF PRE-DRAINAGE (CA. 1850) EVERGLADES LANDSCAPES AND HYDROLOGY: COMPARISON WITH THE NATURAL SYSTEM MODEL
Winifred A. Park
South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
ABSTRACT
As part of an effort to support ecological restoration of the remaining Everglades wetlands, 1940's soil and vegetation surveys, in combination with historical observations and topographic survey reports from 1820-1920, were used to define the spatial extents and classifications of Everglades landscapes prior to canal drainage (c. 1850).
Average annual high and low water depths were estimated for each landscape. Data sources for water depth estimates included direct observations, narrative accounts, histosol and marl soil accretion requirements, vegetation requirements and tolerances, and fire behavior. These estimates represent long term averages; high interannual rainfall variability present in South Florida would introduce variability around these averages.
Hydroperiod for each landscape was estimated from the average annual low and high water depths with the additional assumption that these annual extrema occurred, on average, in May and October.
The results are spatial descriptions of the pre-drainage hydrology of the Everglades. In grid format, this spatial data is comparable with output from hydrologic simulation models.
Patterns of average annual high and low water from this study were compared with simulations of the South Florida Natural System Model, version 4.4. Spatial patterns were generally similar, but areas of deeper water for both high and low water conditions were more extensive in the estimates from this study.
