Building in a rivershed, above a natural sink, comes with inherent challenges which we have seen played out in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Where water flows, earth will erode, especially now with the increased prevalence of high rainfall events.
What about the traces, those smaller pathways where water follows a slope to its lowest point. We have traces all around us. During a deluge, your yard or neighborhood will reveal the path of the water. Topographic maps have lines indicating the slope and steepness of the land; the closer the lines, the steeper the land. Water likes to follow these gradients down to the lowest point.
On October 1st, Alachua County Commission held a Special Meeting to discuss existing aquifer protections and how to improve these protections to our aquifer. This particular area drain into community wells between Alachua and High Springs, into Hornsby Spring ;an impaired Outstanding Florida Spring, and finally into the Santa Fe River; which is below state established Minimum Flow Levels and measuring high in nitrates.
We hope that together the County, City and developer can reach an agreement to protect our aquifer. This area surrounding Mill Creek is especially prone to sinkholes which nobody wants. I applaud the County’s intent to implement ways to reduce the impact of these impeding dense developments on and around the slope above Mill Creek Sink.
Here is a link to view the presentation.
OSFR President Joanne Tremblay
joanne.tremblay@oursantaferiver.org
“Giving Our River A Voice”
