Freshwater runoff and salinity distribution in the Loxahatchee River estuary, southeastern Florida, 1980-82
Water-Resources Investigations Report
83-4244
Prepared in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, South Florida Water Management District, Palm Beach County, Martin County, Jupiter Inlet District, Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, Town of Jupiter, Village of Tequesta, Jupiter Inlet Colony, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By: G.M. Russell and B. F. McPherson
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- Document: Report (1.95 MB pdf)
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Abstract
Freshwater mixed with seawater over a distance of 5 to 10 river miles in the Loxahatchee River estuary during a recent study. Large freshwater inflows vertically stratified the estuary and shifted the mixing zone seaward. In the northwest fork of the estuary, the saltwater-freshwater interface moved daily about 0.5 to 1.5 river miles as a result of tides, and annually about 3 to 5 miles as a result of seasonal changes in freshwater inflow. In the southwest fork, saltwater movement upstream was blocked by a gate and dam structure in Canal-18, 4.7 miles upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Although Canal-18 discharged about one-third of the total freshwater tributary inflow to the estuary, the effects of canal discharge on salinity were limited to relatively brief periods. Much of the time, no freshwater was discharged. (USGS)
Suggested Citation
Freshwater runoff and salinity distribution in the Loxahatchee River estuary, southeastern Florida, 1980-82; 1984; WRI; 83-4244; Russell, G. M.; McPherson, B. F.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Freshwater runoff and salinity distribution in the Loxahatchee River estuary, southeastern Florida, 1980-82 |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 83-4244 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri834244 |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center |
| Description | vi, 36 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |