Everglades National Park should be given the same priority as flood control and water 
supply when operating the C&SF project, as required by Federal and State statutes. The 
most significant hydrologic changes to Taylor Slough are that: peak water levels have 
dropped in the eastern periphery of the Park because of flood control operations of the 
C&SF Project; dry season water levels have increased due to the South Dade 
Conveyance System operation; and water management near the Park boundary has 
resulted in a disconnection of water levels with rainfall; we have proposed a water 
management scheme for Taylor Slougll based upon water levels. The plan sets an 
average target level for two sites in the upper portion of Taylor Slough, and depends 
upon rainfall over the basin during the previous 52 weeks; this plan meets the letter 
and spirit of F. S. 373-042 requinng the South Florida Water Management District to 
set minimum levels for natural areas, and it moves toward restoration of natural 
wetland functioning. Increased pumping at S-332 is not a viable scheme for mimicking 
natural wetland functioning if water levels are not increased. When canal levels are 
low, the source of the water pumped at S-332 is Taylor Slough and the Roclcy Glades. 
When canal levels are low, much of the water pumped at S-332 flows directly back into 
the canal, and is simply recirculated. Thus the net benefit to Taylor Slough is low. 
Pumping whenever water is available is not likely to reproduce natural wetland 
response to rainfall. Unless marsh water level criteria are applied in conjunction with 
pumping, the increased pumping capacity will likely be used to harm Taylor Slough. This 
did occur during October and November of 1993, in violation of the three party 
agreement. 
1993 0 
Van Lent, T., R. Johnson, and R. Fennema (1993) Water management in Taylor Slough and 
effects on Florida Bay. Rep. SFRC 93-03. South Florida Research Center, Everglades 
National Park, Homestead, FL. 79 pp plus appendices. 
[DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] Taylor Slough has historically 
been a major contributor of freshwater to Florida Bay. Since 1982, progressive 
lowering of canal stages in and near the headwaters of Taylor Slough has lowered 
water levels throughout southern Dade County, and probably reduced freshwater flow 
to Florida Bay. The primary purpose of this report is to inform Everglades National 
Park management about the effects of changing water management in the L-31N, L-31W 
and C- 111 canal systems on the Park’s water resources. The report also provides 
some recommendations on how to protect and improve the Park's water resources. The 
analysis is split into six parts. First, we document the operational rules of the water 
control structures along the eastern boundary of the Park along with their evolution, 
and their effect on water levels and flows in and near the Park. Second, we develop 
water budgets for the canals near the Park's eastern boundary, and demonstrate how 
current operational policies have resulted in significant drainage of the marshes west 
of L-31N and L-31W. Thirdly, we examine the Flood Control Project during several wet 
periods documenting operations to divert water from Taylor Slough into C-111. Fourth, 
we look at salinity in Florida Bay and how freshwater inflows affect the pattern of 
salinity. Fifth, we apply the Natural System Model and the South Florida Water 
Management Model to estimate freshwater flows to Florida Bay and how increasing 
canal stages will modify the inflow regime. Lastly, the report concludes with 
recommendations for water resources management to be pursued by Everglades 
National Park. 
1994 0 
Atkeson, T. D. (1994) Mercury in Florida's environment. Abs., ASLO/PSA Joint Mtg., 
Miami, FL. a-3. 
[ABSTRACT ONLY. DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] In 1989 a 
monitoring project by state agencies found Hg in large mouth bass from the Everglades 
359 
