News - Volusia.WaterAtlas.org

Adopting a Florida Friendy Landscape

Unknown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Florida homeowners have many reasons to consider converting their existing residential landscape to a Florida-Friendly Landscape. Most importantly, a Florida-Friendly yard is an environmentally sound yard that conserves and protects Florida's waterways, soil, wildlife, and energy. Using the right plants in the right place can filter harmful stormwater runoff, improve the landscape's soil, provide wildlife habitat, and create shade for energy efficiency in the home. Landscaping also adds beauty and creates pleasant outdoor living spaces to increase the value of residential property. (Figures 1A and IB demonstrate a Florida Friendly landscape renovation in a residential development in Osprey, Fla., in 2009.)

Balancing Urban Water Demand and Supply in Florida:Overview Tool for Water Managers

Unknown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many Florida communities experience periodic water shortages or have serious concerns about balancing water usage and supplies (Goodnough 2007). As the state seeks to balance economic growth and development with protection of its natural resources, managing water becomes a high priority for policy makers and utility managers. This document discusses alternative strategies that can be used by water utility managers to balance water demand and supply in the residential sector, which accounts for roughly 37 percent of Florida's freshwater use (Marella 2008).

PODCAST with noted oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle

Unknown — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Sylvia Earle grew up in Pinellas County playing and exploring in the bay and gulf waters as a child. Bobbie O'Brien interviews her during this PODCAST.

Please follow the link below to listen to the PODCAST.

Announcing the Launch of the Water Quality Contour Mapping Tool

Unknown — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The new Water Quality Contour Mapping Tool is available for use on the Tampa Bay Water Atlas. Funded by the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, the tool allows users to create their own custom contour map of Tampa Bay using any of the data available on the Atlas. Users can generate maps for any time period for one of the five predetermined water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, salinity, chlorophyll, color and secchi depth. Users can also peruse other maps created by other Atlas users. The tool may be expanded for use in other coastal areas and may also be redesigned for use with specific lakes as well. Therefore, your feedback regarding the functionality of the tool is important to us. So, please test it out and let us know what you think. Happy Mapping!

Get Involved In Community Cleanups!

Unknown — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Volusia County hosts river, beach, and spring waterway cleanups throughout the year.

For more information and to get involved, click on the following link:

Water Conservation Information!

Unknown — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Watering restrictions, rain sensor information, ways to conserve water, and water wise landscaping information can all be found at the following link: