USGS Budget Cuts End Continuous Nitrate Monitoring at 13 Florida Springs, Shifting Responsibility

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is poised to discontinue its continuous nitrate monitoring at 13 Outstanding Florida Springs, a decision slated to significantly alter water quality monitoring across the state. Installed back in 2014, the monitoring devices situated at key springs such as Manatee Springs have provided invaluable continuous data on nitrate levels. This real-time data has been made publicly accessible via digital dashboards, aiding kayakers, researchers, and policymakers in assessing the deteriorating health of these springs. Nevertheless, the transmission of this vital data will soon cease as USGS scales back operations.

The discontinuation of USGS nitrate monitoring, effective since July 1, has shifted the main responsibility of data collection to Florida's Water Management Districts, which now rely on monthly or quarterly sampling. While some industry experts argue that the resultant data gap is modest for certain springs, others express deep concern over the potential consequences for more severely impacted sites. The cuts appear to vary across Florida's five Water Management Districts, each having a joint funding agreement with USGS to supplement their independent monitoring activities. These agreements encompass a wide array of measurements including water levels, dissolved oxygen, and others across various water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and springs. The South Florida Water Management District's response on the situation remains pending.

The backdrop of these changes is a proposed cut to total USGS funding by over a third, which remains unaddressed in terms of its impact on Florida by USGS representatives. Among the springs most affected are those in the Suwannee River Water Management District, where USGS previously dedicated specific budget allocations towards continuous nitrate monitoring. Although the USGS has, since the onset of July, ceased nitrate monitoring it continues to gather other data including conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature at the affected sites.

While the district will maintain continuous monitoring at Falmouth Springs, it acknowledges its current incapability to extend this to other stations. Additionally, plans are underway for the district to cover certain water quantity monitoring aspects that USGS has abandoned at non-spring locations, with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection indicating willingness to help mitigate some of the associated costs.

Considering the widespread nitrate contamination, which largely results from agricultural runoff, septic tanks, and urban fertilizers, continuous monitoring remains a crucial tool for identifying trends. However, industry experts like Sky Notestein from the Florida Springs Institute highlight that, while less frequent measurements may not offer the same granularity, they likely showcase similar overarching patterns.

Springs in North Central Florida benefit from the massive Floridan Aquifer, generating approximately 1.2 trillion gallons of water annually. Sites like Silver Springs display minimal variability in spring vent measurements, noted by Matthew Cohen, who leads the Water Institute at the University of Florida. Although quarterly data lacks the detail offered by previous continuous monitoring, Cohen suggests it is likely still sufficient for tracking progress towards long-term management objectives such as nutrient reduction updates made by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Despite these assurances, Ryan Smart, Executive Director of the Florida Springs Council, argues that continuous monitoring, while essential for accountability, cannot replace tangible improvements in water quality. Smart emphasizes the necessity to address nitrogen pollution rather than merely track it.

Ichetucknee Springs, considered critical by researchers like Cohen, demonstrate the complexities inherent in spring ecosystems. Between its headspring and southern takeout, the area undergoes substantial ecological transformations, altering numerous water properties and significantly impacting nitrate absorption. Continuous monitoring is particularly vital for capturing these dynamics along with more immediate phenomena like spring flow reversals.

Such reversals, occurring when extraneous pressure from floodwaters surpasses that of a spring, could transform what is typically a spring into a sinkhole. Observations capturing these events remain scarce with less frequent monitoring, though some scholars assert their incidence appears to be escalating at springs near riversides such as Troy, Lafayette Blue, and Suwannee.

The 13 Outstanding Florida Springs affected by the USGS cuts include Falmouth Spring, Fanning Springs, Ichetucknee Spring Group, Jackson Blue Spring, Lafayette Blue Spring, Madison Blue Spring, Manatee Spring, Rock Springs, Silver Springs, Troy Spring, Wacissa Spring Group, Wakulla Spring, and Wekiwa Spring. The adjustments in monitoring practices necessitate a conscientious approach towards safeguarding these vital ecosystems amidst changing financial landscapes.