Watershed Management Plan: Coastal Zone 5
Welcome
The Coastal Zone 5 Watershed Management Plan (WMP) is a project funded by Pinellas County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to provide an evaluation of the watershed, develop a stormwater model, and identify problems and recommend solutions for flood reduction, and improvements in water quality and natural resources within the watershed.
Overview
The Coastal Zone 5 Watershed comprises approximately 6.2 square miles in southwest Pinellas County along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The watershed is bounded on the south by the Tom Stuart Causeway (150th Street) and on the north by the Anona neighborhood in the City of Largo. The watershed is bordered by the McKay Creek and Lake Seminole watersheds.
The Watershed Evaluation found the watershed is highly developed, with 82 percent of the watershed composed of residential areas. The other two most represented land uses are commercial and golf course areas, which account for 4 and 2 percent, respectively. The watershed is mainly comprised of local piped drainage systems that conveys flow from inland portions of the watershed to the ICW. Elevations within the watershed range from approximately 68 feet along the east boundary of the watershed to below sea level along the west edge of the watershed.
Due to the lack of historical data for the watershed, the County’s consultant compared the model parameters and inputs to regionally accepted values used for watershed scale modeling. The comparison included the McKay Creek, which borders the Coastal Zone 5 watershed, and the Curlew Creek watersheds. Both watersheds were developed for Pinellas County and were calibrated for flow and stage using the USGS gages in those watersheds. The consultant mapped the floodplains and reviewed them for reasonableness. Further, the model and floodplain result underwent a third-party peer review for reasonableness and accuracy.
Background
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains to an open body of water, such as a stream, river, lake or ocean. No matter where you live on earth, you live in a watershed! Watersheds are crucial because they act as natural drainage systems, regulating flows and collecting and channeling water, while also filtering pollutants. In doing so, watersheds buffer us from flooding, provide clean drinking water, support diverse ecosystems, and offer opportunities for recreational activities.
Watershed Management Plan Development
Pinellas County takes a watershed-wide approach to managing water and water-related resources within its boundaries. By doing so, all characteristics of each watershed can be evaluated to reflect the real, interconnected nature of our water resources. This allows the County and its partners to clearly identify, prioritize and address issues related to the watershed’s water resources. Pinellas County plans to develop a Watershed Management Plan for each of its watersheds. These plans guide the County in providing flood protection, protecting and managing environmental resources, and achieving improvements in water quality in County waters. This approach provides a method to evaluate the capacity of a watershed to improve flood protection while finding ways to enhance and restore water quality and natural systems. To learn more, watch the County’s watershed planning process video.
Contact Us
Rob Burnes
Project Manager
Public Works / Environmental Management
22211 US Hwy 19 N., Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 453-3149
rburnes@pinellas.gov