A $600,000 research project coordinated by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is helping to document the ecological value of small tidal streams to the overall bay ecosystem – and identify ways to better manage these diverse tributaries.

In addition to the four major rivers that flow to Tampa Bay, more than 100 smaller streams and creeks drain to the bay. Some of the streams are heavily influenced by tides, and have a complete salinity gradient ranging from completely fresh water to bay saltwater conditions, while others are entirely subject to the circulation of adjacent bay and riverine waters. These systems include coastal and riverine creeks with and without direct freshwater input, dredged inlets, and other “backwaters.”

These smaller tributaries generally have not been as well-studied as the major tributaries or the open bay, and many have been severely impacted by flood control projects and development activities along their banks. But scientists believe these tidal streams are critically important fish nurseries and bird foraging areas.

In 2003, Tampa Bay scientists and managers identified assessing the importance of tidal tributaries as the top-ranked research need in supporting the Tampa Bay Estuary Program’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. As a result, the TBEP embarked on a research project to assess the importance of these systems to Tampa Bay estuarine processes. A $310,000 grant from the Pinellas County Environmental Fund jump-started the work, with another $300,000 provided by direct matches and in-kind contributions from the many agencies participating in the research. Among these project partners are the U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Hillsborough Environmental Protection Commission, the University of South Florida, Tampa Bay Water, Pinellas Department of Environmental Management and Manatee Department of Environmental Management.

Major tasks of the project included:

• Characterizing the fisheries resources of Tampa Bay tidal tributaries;
• Determining the effects of various habitat parameters (such as watershed condition, water quality, structural habitat, etc.) on fisheries resources in tidal tributaries;
• Developing measurable goals, management recommendations, and a Tidal Tributary Management Strategy based on study results; and
• Communicating results to managers and the public to support informed decision-making regarding preservation or restoration of tidal tributaries.

Four preliminary management actions have been developed as a result of the research conducted during this project. These include:

• Maintaining connectivity between open bay waters, tidal rivers and smaller, tidal tributaries to allow fish movement, water flow and nutrient flux between these backwaters and larger estuarine areas.
• Reducing “flashiness” of water flow to tidal tributaries to promote natural flow patterns and foster the productivity of fish food sources within these systems.
• Tracking the condition of fish nursery functions and physical water quality parameters in additional backwaters to further assess the uniqueness of Tampa Bay tidal tributaries.
• Improving public education and fostering stewardship of tidal tributaries by promoting the importance of these systems to popular sportfish such as snook.