Allen's Creek Watershed Rehabilitation Project: Stormwater Treatment and Wetland Restoration, Clearwater, Florida

The Allen's Creek Rehabilitation project is on a 27 acre site located within Allen's Creek watershed. This watershed consists of 4,682 acres of predominantly residential and commercial land use. Historically, the site was a floodplain marsh and forest dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum) and bay (Persea spp.) trees. Over recent decades, portions of the site were dredged for borrow material, filled with construction debris, and mined for peat. These impacted areas are dominated with nuisance and exotic vegetation such as Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), willow (Salix caroliniana), and cattail (Typha spp.). The remnant floodplain where peat mining occurred has been invaded by air potato (Discorea bulbifera) and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). The site is platted and owned by the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County. An elementary school, middle school, and high school are all within walking distance and children frequently traverse the site to school. The purpose of the project is three-fold: management of surface water runoff to Allen's Creek, including attenuation of instream peak flow rates; biological treatment of surface runoff, restoration of the natural floodplain in such a manner as to maintain a balance among and improve wildlife utilization of uplands, open water and intermediate habitats; and provision for an educational opportunity for the public. Watershed studies have identified flooding issues, water quality degradation, and natural habitat loss that can be relieved and reduced through a restoration and treatment project.