Project Overview

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) developed the Tarpon Bay Hydrologic Restoration Project at the request of Isles of Capri residents. The residents approached RBNERR because they believed water quality within Tarpon Bay (~360 acres submerged habitat) was degrading and fish populations were declining. It was determined by RBNERR that degradation of this habitat was likely due to the discontinuance of the natural flushing and tidal transport between Tarpon Bay and Johnson Bay. This occurred when the four islands of Isles of Capri were connected by a road constructed in the 1950’s and 60’s.


Phase I

To achieve the hydrologic restoration of Tarpon Bay, it was determined that water flow would need to be re-established between Tarpon Bay and Johnson Bay where water historically flowed prior to the 1950/60’s. This will be accomplished by dredging out fill in three separate locations between the islands of Isles of Capri, then installing two large box culverts (10’x10’ for manatee passage) and constructing a small bridge. The reestablishment of the natural flushing between the bays will bring the hydrology back, as much as possible, to the natural pre-development conditions. This goal is compatible with the reserve’s primary management plan objective to conserve natural biodiversity in the region. Installation of the first culvert was completed in April 2004. Significant hydrologic flow is observed. Monitoring of Tarpon Bay continues through water quality testing and species surveys. Additional funding for the installation of the second culvert is being pursued with construction anticipated to begin within one year.


Phase II

As part of the agreement with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife National Coastal Wetlands program grant, a public access site with educational information regarding Phase I of this project is to be constructed. The public access site will consist of a parking area, pavilions, picnic tables, kayak/canoe launch and a boardwalk. This phase of the project has been designed with initial construction of the public access site anticipated to begin within the next several years.