Evaluation of Sediment Removal Technologies for Water Quality Improvement in the Lake
Okeechobee Watershed. (5487)
Authors:
R.R. Villapando* - South Florida Water Management District H.H. Harper - Environmental Research and Design, Inc.
B.M. Whalen - South Florida Water Management District
Abstract:
Particulate phosphorus inputs from tributaries and canals are thought to be primary sources of phosphorus loadings to Lake Okeechobee. From 2000-2004, a
demonstration project was conducted in Lettuce Creek, a tributary on the northeast side of Lake Okeechobee, to evaluate the feasibility of trapping phosphorus-laden sediments with a Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) unit and a traditional baffle box or Tributary Sediment Trap (TST). The units were constructed
side-by-side, adjacent to Lettuce Creek, with a single intake pipe feeding each unit.
Efficiency testing for the units was conducted at inflow rates of 1, 5, and 11 cfs.
Average total phosphorus removal for the CDS and TST units were 1.1 µg/L and 0.79 µg/L, respectively. The low observed removal efficiencies are thought to be related to small particle sizes and a high dissolved phosphorus fraction in the Lettuce Creek water. Chemical treatment of inflow into the units reduced total phosphorus concentrations by 2-79%. In a separate project, hydraulic dredging of phosphorus-laden sediments from two primary canals feeding into Lake
Okeechobee resulted in significant removal of total sediment phosphorus loads.
Speaker Information: Rodolfo Villapando, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406; Phone: (561) 682-2936; E-mail:
Session Information: Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 12:55 PM-2:15 PM Presentation Start: 1:30 PM
Keywords: Phosphorus Load Reductions; Sediment Removal Technologies; Water Quality Improvement; Lake Okeechobee