The town

of Palm Beach Shores is establishing formal bulkhead lines.

In conjunction with this work we would like to have a biologic

survey made of the north end of Lake Worth. The purpose of

this survey would be to determine the extent of damage to the

ecology of the lake resulting from past as well as proposed

dredging and filling projects. (19pp.

Woodburn, Kenneth D.

English

Aquatic Commons

BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORTH LAKE WORTH (PALM BEACH COUNTY)
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BULKHEAD LINES
by
Kenneth D. Woodburn
Florida State Board of Conservation Marine Laboratory
Maritime Base, Bayboro Harbor, St. Petersburg, Florida
6 September 1961
FSBCML NO.: 61-23
BL NO.: 61-11
Z Jown of §PaLn 'BseaaI Sgotes
Edwards Lane, P B Shores
Riviera Beoch, Florida
June 29, 1961
Mr. Ernest Mills, Director,
State Board of Conservatuon,
W. V. Ynott Building,
Tallahassee Florida.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with Florida Statute 253.122, the Town
of Palm Beach Shores is establishing formal bulkhead lines.
In conjunction with this work we would like to have a biologic
survey made of the North end of Lake Worth. The purpose of
this survey would be to determine the extent of damage to the
ecology of the Lake resulting from past as well as proposed
dredging and filling projects.
It is our understanding that your Department may perform
this service for us with no cost to the municipality. This survey
will be of considerable value to us in intelligently establishing
bulkhead lines, and maintaining the Lake and all its natural re-
sources to the maximum extent.
We would appreciate your early consideration if this
request, and also advice as to approximately what date we might
expect a report on the results of such survey.
Yours very truly,
Town of Palm Beach Shores
Lester F. Cox, Mayor.
Ifc/ela
A"OFOMMECi ._ t ..- _*. -* -*'_. ..; . ; . - . ,., g.
DIRECTORS
Manager:
Mack Yankiver
President:
Ray Accetta
Vice President:
Forest Beaty
Treasurer:
William JeffriesDirectors:
Arthur Allen Florida State Board of Conservation
Clyde Antoine Tallahassee Adminstrative Building
Carl Cassell F o i
Robert Cromwell Tallahassee, Florida
Charles DeVane
Jules Dorn
Max Hammer
Dan Haselmire
Fred Knoche
Bob Leahy
Phil Lewis Gentlemen:
Larry Nunn
Harry Nye
Barney. Poston The enclosed resolution was passed unanimously
John Remsen
Dick Smith
Joel Wilcox at the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting
recently.
We enlist your support for the objectives as
set forth in this resolution and will appreciate your
efforts on our behalf.
incerely yours,
Mack Yank ve , Mana er
MIY:1
"The Heart of the Palm Beaches"
DIRECTORS
Manager:
Mack Yankiver Resolution
President:
Ray Accetta
Vice President: Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the
Forest Beaty
willamffres Riviera Beach Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of its member-
Directors:
Cyde Antoine ship of 512, that all possible effort be made to stop the
Carl Cassell
Chare CoeVene filling in of Lake Worth beyond its present high tide level.
Jules Dorn
Dan Hamere This body of water provides a paradise for boating,
Lew Kelly
eBob eahy fishing and water sports, and a haven for birds, fish and
Phil Lewis
Larry Nnn wildlife. It is enjoyed by vacationists, tourists and
Barney Poston
DJk Smeh residents alike, and should be preserved forever for use by
Joel Wilcox
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE US and future generations.
V.I.P.'s
President: Reports indicate that local, county and State laws
Victor V. VanCantfort
ce Presidents will not stop the destruction of this natural resource.Julia DeFelice
Charles DeVane
Jhn mmsen Therefore, we request our Washington Representatives,
Del Parkinson
Fred Knoche Senator Spressard D. Holland and Senator George A. Smathers,
Dick Smith
Robert Cromwell
Irving Jeffs together with Congressman Paul Rogers, to take action to
Robert Leahy
Larry Nunn have Lake Worth declared a Federal Fish and Wildlife Area,
from its northern to its southern extremity, with the
stipulation that no filling in of Lake Worth.shall be made
beyond its present high tide level.
We also request of the Honorable Farris Bryant,
Governor of the State of Florida, that action be taken from
the State level; and requests issued to County and local
governmental bodies that no further filling of Lake Worth
be made until this matter is finally adjudicated.
"The Heart of the Palm Beaches"
BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORTH LAKE WORTH (PALM BEACH COUNTY)
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BULKHEAD LINES
Introduction and discussion
Conservation of marine life and habitats is one of the criteria for
setting bulkhead lines. This was clearly stated in the Bulkhead Law of
1957 passed by the State Legislature to facilitate orderly and intelligent
waterfront development. Although it has acted to date only in an advisory
capacity at the request of governing bodies, the State Board of Conser-
vation has a vested interest in bulkhead lines, submerged lands, dredging
and filling. It is constitutionally charged with the responsibility of
preserving, protecting and managing marine life and environments so that
the maximum, sustained yield of saltwater products will be assured for
this and future generations in Florida.
Before the Town of Palm Beach Shores requested a biological survey
of north Lake Worth and advice in setting its bulkhead line, the Conser-
vation Department had never been consulted about such matters in Lake
Worth and Palm Beach County. The results of this neglect are particularly
evident on the western side of Lake Worth from the town of Lake Park to
the entrance of Inland Waterway into Lake Worth. Large land fills
and deeply dredged bottoms have eliminated shallow sea grass beds that
harbored young fish and shrimp on which larger sports and commercial fishes
feed. Two small coves north of the waterway entrance are virtually all
that remain of the natural shoreline and sea grass beds on the western
shore. These two coves are encompassed by proposed bulkhead lines and
subsequent dredging and filling projects for real estate development.
Also spoil will be dumped from nearby Inland Waterway dredging so that the
entire western shore and submerged flats of north Lake :Worth will then be
removed as productive marine habitats. Sampling Station 1 was made in
this area (see map, p. 6, and Station data sheets, pp. 9 - 15).
Along the eastern shore from Lake Worth inlet northward to recent
dredging and filling at the northern limits of Riviera Beach, waterfront
development is continuous with the exception of the southern section of
a formerly small island known locally as Cramer Island. Pine Island was
completely dredged out to provide spoil for the new, non-seawalled finger
fills where development ends and the last appreciable stretch of pristine
shoreline and undisturbed bottom begins (see sampling Stations 3, 4, and
5, report map, p. 6). The bottom north to Munyon Island and the narrow,
unpaved causeway to the island is carpeted with dense turtle grass and
Cuban shoalweed abounding in young shrimp and fish. Water depth is shallow
enough so that speed-boating is not feasible and the general aea is lightly
trafficked. Local people interested in marine life, biological education
and tourism hope to get a large marine aquarium located on county-owned
land in this area.
Between Munyon Island and "Burnt" bridge the bottom is silted and
sea grass growth is retarded. The narrow lagoon north of the bridge is
shallow and muddy, its shoreline is a dense mangrove growth. This is a
typical habitat for young snook and it was so recognized before the
extensive dredging and filling. During the survey redfish were being
caught at the bridge and mullet were seen in the narrow lagoon.
From Munyon Island north to the waterfront development near the
entrance to Little Lake Worth, the shoreline is undeveloped and lined
with red mangroves. Sea grass beds are evident but growth is not lush as
it is south of Munyon Island where the waLer is less turbid.
2
The seven sampling stations (see map, p. 6, and Station data sheets,
pp. 9 - 15) yielded 40 species of fishes including spotted sea trout, mullet,
mangrove snapper, snook, permit and baby barracuda, Small pink shrimp were
very abundant where sea grass beds were found. Water turbidity increased
markedly from the Riviera Memorial bridge northward to the most recent
dredging and filling. Reflecting the dry summer, salinities were high
and about equal ocean water (35-36 parts per thousand).
Table 1, (p.4), shows the decline in commercial catches of redfish
(channel bass), spotted sea trout and snook in Palm Beach County. These
three fishes are primarily inshore species that were caught mostly in
Lake Worth in abundance before dredging and filling became so rampant.
Since Lake Worth has been closed to commercial netting for years, catches
were made by hook and line. Sports fishermen sold their surplus to com-
mercial dealers. Some of the decline in commercial production can be
attributed to more sports fishermen keeping more of the total sports catch
but this would account for only a small part of the dramatic decline. The
same deterioration in redfish, sea trout and snook fishing occurred in Boca
Ciega Bay in Pinellas County where dredging and filling reached proportions
that caused state-wide concern and resulted in legislative action and the
Bulkhead Law. Good fishing brings new residents and tourists to Florida,
poor fishing sends them elsewhere.
Along the eastern shore of north Lake Worth, bulkhead lines have been
proposed that encompass all of the remaining natural shoreline. Dredging
beyond these lines (standard procedure) and filling within them would
destroy what is left of the lake as a prime nursery ground for young fish
and shrimp and a feeding ground for larger fishes. The undisturbed areas left
are beyond municipal boundaries and within county jurisdiction but
the bulkhead line and dredging proposals are those of one large land
developer.
3
TABLE I
Commercial Landings of Three Fishes in Palm Beach County (1950-1959)
(Taken from Summaries of Florida Commercial Marine Fish Landings,
(University of Miami Marine Laboratory)
Year Redfish Spotted Sea Trout Snook
1950 25,148 336,936 21,445
1951 20,420 218,587 67,680
1952 17,098 101,489 49,327
1953 5,196 43,678 26,950
1954 295 4,294 17,024
1955 561 1,557 10,443
1956 300 1,258 8,989
1957 -- 554 2,917
1958 121 978
1959 1,592 857
* Snook became only a sports fish on July 1, 1961 by State Law.
4
Recommendations
The history of bulkhead lines and submerged land development in
north Lake Worth has been confused. Waterfront development has apparently
proceeded independently of prescribed bulkhead line procedure. After-the-
fact permits to dredge, fill and bulkhead are meaningless in terms of
conserving marine resources. Local civic groups have requested that all
of Lake Worth be declared a Federal Fish and Wildlife Area. A copy of
one request has been included in this report. A review of submerged
land policy is needed in Lake Worth to fulfill the intent of the Bulkhead
Law.
Preserving the natural shoreline and adjacent productive bottoms
northward from Riviera Beach to Little Lake Worth along the eastern shore
would be the key to any realistic effort to save something of value for
posterity.
The setting of conservative bulkhead lines that limit dredging as
well as filling would do much to minimize damages to public-owned submerged
lands whenever waterfront development has been officially approved. This
would then assure that all bottoms altered by dredging or filling were
actually owned by developers and not part of the public domain.
5
L t t l e Lak :'(Sampling Stations)L ake oth  . -. .. . .
•- ." -' o FSBCML NO.: 61-23
SBL NO.: 61-11
C"°
4 . ***:. .. .
, ' .° ,°," • - a
• - , . . . . . . . ,.
S 1 - narrow lagoon
2
r Zsulnt br i d g e
uro' Island
3
Little Munyon Island
.-4, 7
Riviera Hemorial Bridge
Palm Beach Shores
th Tet
-'.:.::. I
SPECIES LIST - Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm Beach County)
with Special References to Bulkhead Lines.
FISHES: (Identified by A. J. McErlean)
Cynoscion nebulosus (Spotted seatrout)
Centropomus undecimalis (Snook)
Mugil curema (Silver mullet)
MugLl cephalus (Black mullet)
Archosargus probatocephalus (Sheepshead)
Lutjanus analis (Mutton snapper)
Lutjanus apodus (Schoolmaster)
Lutjanus griseus (Mangrove snapper)
Diapterus plumieri (Striped mojarra)
Eucinostomus gula (Mojarra)
Eucinostomus argenteus (Mojarra)
Sphyraena barracuda (Barracuda)
0Ui.goplites saurus (Leather-jacket)
Galeichthys felis (Sea catfish)
Chilomycterus schoepfi (Porcupine)
Monacanthus ciliatus (Filefish)
Monacanthus hispidus (Filefish)
Spheroides sp. (Puffer)
Syngnathus sp. (Pipefish)
Syngnathus scovelli (Pipefish)
Lagodon rhomboides (Pinfish)
Anchoa mitchilli (Anchovy)
Anchoa sp. (Anchovy)
Selene vomer (Lookdown)
Trachinotus falcatus (Permit)
Strongylura notata (Needlefish) 7
SPECIES LIST, cont.
FISHES: cont.
Strongylura sp. (Needlefish)
Symphurus plagiusa (Tonguefish)
Ackiru3 lin.reati-3 (Hogohoker)
Bothidae sp. (Lefteye flounder)
Gcbioscma rohustum (Goby)
Gobionellus sp. (Goby)
Gobi:iidae sp. (Goby)
Harengula persacclae (Scaled sardine)
Orthoprisytes chrysopterus (Pigfish)
Paracl-;ils f as-i.auis (Banded blenny)
Haermulon sci-vius (Bluestriped grunt)
Haemul.on sp. (Grunt)
HaemulO.on parra (Grunt)
Dasyatis sayi (Stingray)
CRUSTACEANS:
Penaeus duorarum (Pink shrimp)
Palaemonates pugio (Grass shrimp)
Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab)
8
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines.
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 16 1 1130
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: Cove, W. shore Lake Worth between Little Lake Worth and
entrance to upland cut of Inland Waterway (see Sta. 1,
report map).
WATE~R °C. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 31.2 34.5 F FQ 3'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, turbid
WEATHER: SE wind, thunderclouds
BOTTOM: Firm sandy mud
BOTTOM COVER: Diplanthera
SHORE: Narrow beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, Pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES (FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Spheroides sp., Cynoscion nebulosus,
Oligoplites saurus, Syngnathus sp., Lutjanus griseus,
Galeichthys felis, Eucinostomus gula, Monacanthus
ciliatus, Chilomycterus schoepfi, Mugil curema,
Archosargus probatocephalus
Penaeus duorarum - small pink shrimp
Mojarra - most abundant fish
9
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County)
BIOL. YR, MO, DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 16 2 1215
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: N. end of Munyon Island (see Sta. 2, report map)
WATER 0C. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 31.0 35.0 F FQ 3'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, turbid
WEATHER: SE wind, storm clouds
BOTTOM: Sand, mud and shell
BOTTOM COVER: Short Diplanthera
SHORE: Sand beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES (FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Spheroides sp., Oligoplites saurus, Lagodon
rhomboides, Sphyraena barracuda, Cynoscion nebulosus,
Eucinostomus gula, Mugil curema, Diapterus plumieri,
Lutjanus analis, Anchoa mitchilli, Clupeidae sp., Lutjanus
griseus, Selene vomer, Stephanolepis hispidus
Penaeus duorarum - small pink shrimp
10
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines,
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 16 3 1300
COUNTY: Palm Beach Map: U. S. C. & 0. S. 1248
LOCATION: N. end of Little Munyon Island
WATER OC. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 31.1 35.0 F FQ 3'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, turbid
WEATHER: SE wind, very cloudy, thunder
BOTTOM:' - Sand, shell and mud.
BOTTOM COVER: Short Diplanthera
SHORE: Sand beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES (FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Eucinostomus argenteus, Sphyraena barracuda,
Monocanthus ciliatus, Stephanolepis hispidus, Eucinostomus
gula
Grass shrimp
11
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines.
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 17 4 0845
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: E. shore of Lake Worth due east of Little Munyon Island
(see Sta. 4, report map).
WATER sC. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 27.4 35.0 F FQ 3
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, clear
WEATHER: Calm, cool, partly cloudy
BOTTOM: Firm sandy mud
BOTTOM COVER: Thalassia, Diplanthera, red algae
SHORE: Narrow beach with black mangroves
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES ( FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Orthopristes chrysopterus, Spheroides sp.,
Lutjanus analis, Aphyraena barracuda, Synonathus scovelli,
Syngnathus sp., Eucinostomus gula, Lutjanus griseus,
Chilomycterus schoepfi, Gobiosoma robustum, Paraclinus
fesciatus, Stephanolepis hispidus, Haemulon scioris,
Lag.ed.n thovrboides, Clupeideo sp», Haernilcn sp., Dasyatis
sayi
Many pink shrimp - Penaeus duorarum
12
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines.
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 17 5 0931
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: E. shore of Lake W9rth near old inlet and opposite Lake
Park (see Sta. 5, report map)
WATER °C. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 30.4 35.0 F FQ 4'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, turbid
WEATHER: Calm, hot, cloudy
BOTTOM: Sandy mud covered by silt
BOTTOM COVER: Thalassia and Diplanthera
SHORE: Narrow sand beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburnt Jim Pearce
NOTES (FL•RA,.FAUNA, ETC.): -Spheroides sp., Lutjanus griseus, Strongylura
notata, Sjhyraena ba-rracuda, Bothidae sp., Oligoplites
saurus, Cynoscion nebulosus, fTrachinotus falcatus, Syngnathus
.floridae, Eucinotonus gtla, Eucinostomus argenteus, Anchoa
mit-hilli, Ancboa sp., Achirus lineatus, Gobiidae sp.,
- Gobi.enrellus sp.
-Recently- dredged and unbulkheaded fill about 250 yds to
south; silt had partially covered seagrass.
13
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines.
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 17 6 1000
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: S. shore of fill near Cramer Island (see Sta. 6, report map)
WATER °C. 0/00 TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 30.8 34.9 F FQ 4'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Calm, clearer than first 5 Stations
WEATHER: Calm, hot, cloudy
BOTTOM: Soft sandy mud
BOTTOM COVER: Sparse, short Diplanthera
SHORE: Cordgrass beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet (ineffective here)
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES (FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Strongylura notata, Eucinostomus argenteus,
Eucinostomus gula, Sphyraena barracuda, Harengula
pensacolae
14
__________________________________________________
BULKHEAD LINE PROJECT: Biological Survey of North Lake Worth (Palm
Beach County) with Special Reference to
Bulkhead Lines.
BIOL. YR. MO. DAY STA. TIME
FIELD NO.: KDW 1961 8 17 7 1100
COUNTY: Palm Beach MAP: U. S. C. & G. S. 1248
LOCATION: E. side of Peanut Island opposite Lake Worth Inlet (see
Sta. 7, report map)
WATER 0C. o/oo TIDE MOON DEPTH (ft.)
(S) 29.0 36.0 F FQ 4'
(B)
WATER CONDITION: Very clear, strong tidal current
WEATHER: SE wind, very cloudy, thunder
BOTTOM: Sand, shell and rock
BOTTOM: Diplanthera
SHORE: Sand beach
COLLECTING METHOD: Seine, pushnet
PERSONNEL: K. D. Woodburn, Jim Pearce
NOTES (FLORA, FAUNA, ETC.): Lutjanus apodus, Haemulon parra, Harengula
pensacolae, Strongylura notata, Eucinostomus argenteus,
Eucinostomus gula
Many small pink shrimp - Penaeus duorarum
15


Biological survey of north Lake Worth (Palm Beach County) with special reference to bulkhead lines

http://aquaticcommons.org/307/1/UF00076824.pdf

Biological survey of north Lake Worth (Palm Beach County) with special reference to bulkhead lines

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Aquatic Commons