Limnology of Taylor Creek Impoundment with Reference to Other Water Bodies in Upper St. Johns River Basin, Florida.

Taylor Creek Impoundment, on the western part of the upper St. Johns basin, provides flood control and flow regulation. The 4,000-acre impoundment was first filled in 1969. The water was of relatively poor quality during the first three years of its existence, 1970-1972. The impoundment is deep enough for thermal stratification, and a thermocline usually develops at 8 to 10 ft. During 1970-72 the hypolimnion remained anaerobic for more than six months. The poor water quality is attributed to the decomposition of flooded vegetation, of soil organic matter, and to heavy growths of phytoplankton and duckweed stimulated by an abundant supply of nutrients. Since 1972, the quality of the water has improved because of flushing of the impoundment and depletion of leachable nutrients and soil organic matter. The water is now similar in quality to that of nearby Wolf and Jane Green Creeks. Large releases of water may produce velocities great enough to resuspend bottom sediments several miles downstream where Taylor Creek flows into Lake Poinsett. Author