Golden Gate Estates

In the 1960's, construction of a large residential development called Golden Gate Estates began in southeast Collier County. Development of the southern portion of the enormous housing project located on the western edge of the Everglades failed due to its wetland character and unscrupulous marketing practices. A network of roads and 58 miles of canals that were constructed permanently altered the natural sheetflow, or supply of fresh water, to the bays and estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands. The new canal system directed freshwater runoff through the Faka-Union Canal to the Faka-Union Bay and out to sea. Studies indicate a distinct decrease in salinity values in the Faka-Union Bay, and a significant increase in salinity in adjacent estuaries such as Pumpkin Bay and the Blackwater River. The salinity levels changed these estuaries which provide a nursery habitat for many fish, shellfish, and other marine life with significant commercial and natural value. Additionally, the wetlands in the region no longer serve as a filter for recharging the groundwater that is a source of municipal drinking supplies.


Rebuilding

In order to improve the distribution of water to the bays and the aquifer, affected lands were purchased by the State. The South Florida Water Management District started removing roads and plugging canals in 2006. Culverts are being constructed under the remaining roads that interfere with surface water flow.

The Research:
Water chemistry data, including salinity, dissolved oxygen levels, and water temperature, are being collected with specialized data loggers. Fisheries data obtained through monthly trawls in each of the three bays document the population dynamics in a variety of fish species, as well as important commercial invertebrates such as stone crabs, blue crabs and pink shrimp. This baseline data will continue to be monitored throughout the restoration project to enable scientists to measure the changes resulting from restoration efforts.

Regional Application:
Post-restoration data will be compared and contrasted with the baseline data. Documenting the effects of salinity changes on estuarine habitats will help set standards for future restoration efforts.