Suwannee River Water Management District | RiverFronts e-Newsletter

RiverFronts text with an image of three people kayaking

District intern Juliana Navarro records records her research while sitting on a dock.

District Intern Juliana Navarro Monitors Mangrove Migration

Juliana Navarro a rising senior studying marine sciences at the University of Florida knew that she wanted to find an environmental related summer internship. Juliana already volunteered as an environmental educator with the Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS), so she was pleased to find that NCBS was offering several exciting summer internships.

NCBS paired Juliana with the District based on her interests in conservation. When she started her internship, Juliana not only helped the environmental scientists with their field work with various rivers and springs, she also was assigned her own research project of mangrove migration in the District. This project’s main goals included creating an accurate database for where mangroves are located and assessing potential environmental and social concerns associated with their migration. Overall, mangroves create a natural barrier between the land and ocean that lessens the impacts of hurricanes and reduces flooding, as well as erosion. Find more information about Juliana's research by visiting our website.

Stormwater Pond Expansion in the City of Archer

Our projects team is committed to improving water quality and flood protection. They have worked with the City of Archer to expand the stormwater pond at Holly Hills Subdivision. Before the project, the subdivision was flooding and untreated stormwater flowed into a sink leading directly into the aquifer. The District funded $83,000 through the RIVER grant program to the City of Archer to enhanced water quality by providing and improving stormwater treatment and ultimately reducing localized flooding.

The dark brown river of Dead River flows into the Dead River Sink

Track Closures

Jennings Bluff Tract- Closed for management activities. The District is renovating the Jennings Bluff Canoe Launch and building access stairs to the Dead River. The access stair will include a lookout platform for visitors to enjoy the Dead River and the sink.

Withlacoochee Tract - Closed to vehicles through the end of summer. The District will be doing construction and restoration work at Pot Springs.This project includes stabilizing the bank and creating a walkway for public use. The equestrian trails remain open for horseback riding.

The construction at the Jennings Bluff and Withlacoochee Tract will increase safety for visitors and protect our natural resources by decreasing erosion.

Ross Davis collecting data in a kayak at Fanning Springs

Meet Our Team - Ross Davis

Data collection is an important responsibility of the District and guides the District in discussion on projects, water supply and more. Ross Davis, Hydrological Data Services Chief, has collected and monitored data on a regular basis throughout his years working at water management districts.

Ross has spent the last three years at the District and is now gearing up for retirement on July 1. Overall, he has spent over 30 years working with various water management districts. During his time at the District, Ross has enjoyed working alongside District staff and sharing how the data correlates to the core mission areas of water supply, water quality, natural systems and flood protection.

We appreciate the dedication and time Ross has provided the District and other water management districts in his career. His passion for our springs and rivers showed through his work. Thank you for your time at the District and enjoy your retirement, Ross!