Protect the Waterfront

Waterfront property owners have first hand knowledge of the special contribution lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and lagoons make to Florida’s quality of life. Florida-Friendly Yards located on a waterfront must address certain challenges and responsibilities. As next-door neighbor to these natural resource treasures, you must make it your mission to practice good environmental stewardship.

To design and maintain a landscape that borders a waterfront of any sort requires a strong focus on the natural environment, as well as on environmental impact. If you presently live on the waterfront or are considering moving to a waterfront location, review these points to makethe most of your landscape — to create a yard that is beautifully functional for you and environmentally safe for the natural resources of our state.

Salt Water

Naturally sloping shorelines, particularly when buffered by a fringe of mangroves or marsh grass, help smooth out waves and reduce cloudiness in the water. In addition, mangroves and other shoreline plants contribute to the food web, attract wildlife such as wading birds, and help prevent erosion at the water’s edge.

The area in which shoreline plants grow is known as the littoral zone, the boundary between land and water. Unfortunately, seawalls have traditionally been placed directly in this intertidal, littoral zone. If you desire to restore a natural shoreline with natural vegetation, you face a complex decision. Begin by inquiring about your city and county ordinances to determine whether removal is an option. If you can legally replace a shoreline protection structure with a natural littoral zone along your property, your options will be limited by several factors:
1. Depth of your lot
2. Distance from the waterline to
upland structures
3. Wave impact against your shore
4. Your budget
5. Shoreline condition of neighboring properties

Shoreline protection alternatives comprise very site-specific considerations, and you need expert advice. The Florida Sea Grant Marine Extension agent in your county, natural resources employees of local governments and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are good places to find help and information. Keep in mind that submerged land is probably not your property, but belongs to the State of Florida. For information on permitting requirements, contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection office in your area.

Ponds

If your property does not border or contain a natural waterway, consider building one. A pond is relatively easy to maintain, and it can add value, beauty and ecological soundness to your Florida-Friendly Yard. It does not matter whether your pond measures in square feet or acres, it will contribute significantly to wildlife in your area.

Selecting a good pond site requires evaluating many factors, including slope, soil type, water table, septic tank and house foundation setbacks, and utility easements. When planning, try to strike a balance between what your permit allows and what would fit most naturally into the landscape. In nature, Florida lakes and ponds feature some common characteristics:
1. They are usually located at the lowest elevation in a landscape.
2. They have a high edge-to-depth ratio — that means that they are wide and shallow.
3. A shallow depth increases the amount of littoral shelf area — the area receiving maximum sunlight penetration.

The shelf area provides a place for plants to root and quickly becomes a beehive of pond life activity. Florida ponds less than four feet deep often exhibit complete plant coverage. (It takes 6–10 foot depths to maintain open water.)

Stormwater Ponds

If you live on a waterfront, evaluate stormwater runoff patterns to determine if you are inadvertently “dumping” runoff from your landscape directly into the natural waterway. One way to filter runoff is by installing a series of swales and channels, followed by a small pond as a final collection point for runoff.

A pond provides a natural filter for potential waterway pollutants. Vegetation and filter traps act as active filtration systems for pollutants, and the settling action in the pond itself serves as another way to remove pollutants. A wellbuilt pond that supports plant life can significantly improve the quality of water draining into Florida’s waterways.

Another advantage these systems offer is extending the “soak time” of stormwater, or increasing the amount of water allowed to percolate. Water that percolates through soil recharges ground water directly, as opposed to water that empties into waterways.

Consult the Manatee County UF/IFAS Extension office with questions at 941-722-4524 or email michelleatkinson@ufl.edu.