Lyngbya creates an anoxic zone which kills off all life on the canal bottoms. Restoring eelgrass has proved to reduce Lyngbya and create habitat to encourage the restoration of the ecosystem.
The cages to protect the eelgrass plants are important for the eelgrass to take root. Some manatees like to have an early snack and will push the cages over as there is a lack of available food in Kings Bay.
Kings Bay and Crystal River together are one of the most environmentally important assets in all of Florida. These assets are classified as a National Wildlife Refuge and are the largest winter refuge for manatees on Florida’s Gulf Coast. In recent years, the once crystal-clear waters of Kings Bay have become infested with Lyngbya.
Environmental Asset
The Bay comprises more than 600 acres and is fed by 70 identified springs. The second-largest group of springs in Florida. The Kings Bay Restoration Project has increased the number of spring outflows by unclogging over 200 springs as of January 2018! Fresh groundwater flows from the spring vents has increased into Kings Bay. This increase of spring water helps to drive out the algae blooms.
Crystal River has been named an Outstanding Florida Waterway and supplies critical fresh water to St. Martins Reef, one of the principal seagrass beds and estuaries in the state. The Kings Bay Restoration Project reduces nutrient runoff pressure on St. Martins Reef, the National Wildlife Refuge and the Outstanding Florida Waterway by improving the water quality upstream. The eelgrass plants, from the Kings Bay Restoration Project, uptake nutrients to grow and improve water quality.
KBRP Impact
Since the 2015 restoration activity, water quality is vastly different. The water is clearer. The eelgrass meadows have flourished to be 5 million plants strong in the 2015 restoration area alone! Review all the great results from the 2015 restoration area. We hope to continue to bring this water clarity throughout Kings Bay.