ESTERO BAY WATERSHED INTEGRATED GROUNDWATER/SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGIC MODEL

The Estero Bay Watershed is located in southwest Florida in an area roughly described as south of Fort Myers and north of Naples and between Bonita Springs and Immokalee. The area is prone to periodic flooding and drought events. Urban land use in the watershed is primarily located in the western developed corridor. The major wetland and associated upland systems are located in the center and eastern parts of the watershed, while the agricultural uses are located on the boundaries and between the large wetland systems. The watershed contains seven major public water supply wellfields that withdraw water from the surficial and intermediate aquifer systems. The eastern and southern portions of the watershed contain numerous agricultural operations that utilize ground and surface water resources. Approximately 36 permitted golf course communities are within the watershed placing additional demands on the limited water resources of the watershed. The rapid growth of the Estero Bay area during the past decades with its increased population and accompanying urban and agricultural development has stimulated significant concerns regarding the water and environmental resources of the region. There is concern that the scale of urban and agricultural development will affect the ecological integrity of the region, as well as the environmentally sensitive Corkscrew Audubon sanctuary within the watershed.