Lake water levels in central Florida have drastically dropped due to the combination of drought conditions and increased groundwater withdrawals.  In an effort to maintain water levels in lakes near Tampa, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has issued permits to allow water from underground limestone aquifers to be pumped into some lakes.  Consequently, lake augmentation may alter the water chemistry and other lake parameters.

    We will assess the effects of these altered water conditions on the fish assemblages in the augmented lakes.  We will use a boat-mounted electrofisher along the shoreline and experimental gill nets in open-water areas.  The lengths and weights of all captured fish will be recorded, and the species richness, density, and biomass for each lake will be estimated.  Data from the augmented lakes will be compared to information from a 60 lake data base of non-augmented lakes in the Tampa area (Hoyer and Canfield, 1992) to assess effects of artificially introduced groundwater on fish assemblages.  Our results will be used to assist the Southwest Florida Water Management District in their efforts to maintain lake water levels while reducing the impacts on fish populations.

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