A 500 home development is threatening the Santa Fe River. Poised to break ground on top of Mill Creek Sink, a phenomenal geologic and hydrological system located near the intersection of I-75 and 441 in Alachua. Mill Creek was highlighted in Wes Skyles video called The Water’s Journey.
Mill Creek Sink connects to three of our Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS): Hornsby, Treehouse and Columbia. All three springs are legally protected by the 2016 Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act, Florida Statute 373.802. All three were once a first magnitude springs, and now have greatly reduced flow. They all augment the flow of the lower Santa Fe River from River Rise. The reduction of flow from these three springs impacts our river which has been impaired by flow reduction.
Currently, these three priority springs are impaired because of their reduced flow. The loss of flow from these three springs has contributed to a registered deficit in the Santa Fe River according to the FL DEP. These reductions are listed in the chart from the Minimum Flows Status Assessment For The Lower Santa Fe And Ichetucknee Rivers And Priority Springs, SRWMD, (2022). The Lower Santa Fe River is NOT meeting minimum flow requirements.
Mill Creek Sink drains into our three impaired springs. The Mill Creek and Lee Sinks Dye Trace, Alachua County, Florida July – December, 2005 Karst Environmental Services, Inc. – 2005 demonstrated this connection. Mill Creek is currently threatened by a 500 home development which will irrevocably alter this sensitive hydrological system.
It is our recommendation that interference with the Mill Creek Sink drainage area be avoided at all cost until and unless it can be established that the recharge to these springs will not be diminished in any way. Development removes topsoil, plants, and disturbs the natural drainage. The Santa Fe River is threatened by this new development that will do further damage to our impaired springs and river.
There are many ways you can help. You can Sign the Petition or you can help us show strength in numbers by attending the upcoming City of Alachua Meeting. The next scheduled meeting is Monday August 26 @ 6:00. It is not known at this time if the hearing will be on that agenda. We will strive to keep you informed.
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
