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Research about Broward County, Florida

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Broward County, Florida.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1986

Water-quality data for the ground-water network in eastern Broward County, Florida, 1983-84

During 1983-84, ground water from 63 wells located at 31 sites throughout, eastern Broward County, Florida, was sampled and analyzed to determine baseline water-quality conditions. The physical and chemical parameters analyzed included field measurements (pH and temperature), physical characteristics (color, turbidity, and specific conductance), major inorganic ions, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon), selected trace metals, and total phenolic compounds. Ground-water samples were collected at the end of the dry season (April), during rising water levels (June and July), and during yearly peak water levels (September and October). These data are tabulated, by well, in this report.

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USGS1986

Chemical effects of highway runoff on the surficial aquifer, Broward County, Florida

In many areas of Broward County, swales are commonly designed to accept stormwater runoff from highways. Two sites adjacent to heavily traveled highways were studied to determine if stormwater percolating through unsaturated sand underlying the swales may affect the quality of water in the Biscayne aquifer. Concentrations of selected chemicals common in highway runoff were measured in swale stormwater, in the unsaturated-zone percolate, and in the surficial aquifer during 12 storms, May through November 1983. Analyses of the unsaturated lithologic material at the two sites and one control site were also made to indicate the extent of vertical attenuation of selected chemical constituents. Results of trace metal nutrient analyses indicated that there is no obvious water-quality effect on the surficial aquifer caused by highway runoff. In general, the data collected for dissolved trace metals indicated slight concentrations in stormwater samples with subsurface water samples usually indicating decreases in concentration below about 0.5 to 1 ft of unsaturated material. For most trace metals, the apparent decreases with depth were statistically significant based on nonparametric analysis of variance. Concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus, however, were somewhat homogeneous and were not inferred to be significantly different with depth. Water hardness as calcium carbonate at both sites indicated a significant difference with depth because of calcium carbonate solution, but the effect of percolate hardness on the shallow groundwater was negligible because of regional mixing. The analyses of lithologic material at the two test sites indicated significant near-surface accumulation of some trace elements. For example, in the first foot below land surface, concentrations of iron, lead, and zinc were detected in the 1 to 7 mg/kg range, with concentrations decreasing sharply at lower depths. This near-surface accumulation was not indicated in the lithologic material at the control site. (Author 's abstract)

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USGS1979

Hydrologic conditions in Broward County, Florida, 1976

During the 1976 water year, rainfall was 3.6 percent below average in Broward County, Fla. Water levels in the Pompano Beach and Dixie well fields were lower during the peak of the 1976 dry season than the peak of the record low dry season in 1971. Flow in the major canals was variable during the 1976 water year compared to 1962-75 averages. Flows in Cypress Creek, Middle River, and Snake Creek at S-29 were higher than the average. Flows in Plantation Canal and South New River were equal to the 1962-75 averages, while Hillsboro, North New River, and Snake Creek at N.W. 67th Avenue were below the long-term averages. The concentrations of principal mineral constituents in surface water in Broward County were within limits established by Florida State Water Standards, with the exception of iron at one station. Total coliforms were equal to or within permissible limits for class III water and waters for public supply in Broward canals at all sites during the 1976 water year. Fecal coliform did not exceed the permissible limit for public water supply at any of the sites during the 1976 water year. (Kosco-USGS)

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USGS1979

Stormwater-runoff data for a commercial area, Broward County, Florida

Rainfall, stormwater discharge, and water-quality data for rainfall and runoff are summarized for a commercial area in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Loads for 20 water-quality constituents were computed for runoff from 31 storms between May 1975 and June 1977. The basin of 20.4 acres contains a shopping center with adjacent parking, and is 97.9 percent impervious.

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USGS1978

Urban stormwater runoff data for a residential area, Pompano Beach, Florida

Rainfall, storm-sewer discharge, and water-quality analyses of storm runoff are summarized for a single-family residential area near Pompano Beach, Florida. The area of the drainage basin is 41 acres of which 61 percent is pervious sod lawns and 39 percent is impervious roofs, driveways and streets. The land surface is nearly flat with a gentle, eastward slope. Storm runoff flows eastward along grass swales into a sewer collection system on the eastern boundary of the area that in turn joins a 36-inch diameter storm drain. Runoff loads of 12 or more water-quality constituents were computed for 32 storms between April 1974 and September 1975. Chemical analyses of rainfall for 3 storms are included. (Woodard-USGS)

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USGS1978

Water quality in the Old Plantation Water Control District, Broward County, Florida; progress report, July 1976-June 1977

Water quality in the Old Plantation Water Control District in Broward County, Florida has been affected by effluent from sewage-treatment plants, agriculture, and storm-water runoff. Effect of the effluent from sewage-treatment plants on water quality was evident at 3 sites where concentrations of nutrients and bacteria in the Broward County canals exceeded state standards of 2,400 colonies per 100 milliliters for total coliform bacteria, and where at 2 of the 3 sites the fecal coliform/fecal streptococcus ratios indicated possible human contamination. The effect of agriculture on water quality was evident where relatively high levels of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides had concentrated in the bottom sediments of the canals. For example, DDD reached levels of 330 micrograms per kilogram at site 3. The effects of storm-water runoff on water quality were detected during the wet season when concentrations of several trace elements increased. For example, zinc averaged 30 micrograms per milliliter in the wet season compared with 20 micrograms per milliliter during the dry season.

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USGS1978

Stormwater-runoff data for a highway area, Broward County, Florida

Rainfall, stormwater discharge, and water-quality data for both rainfall and runoff are summarized for a highway area near Pompano Beach, Florida. Loads for 20 water-quality constituents were computed for the runoff from 41 storms between April 1975, and July 1977. The basin of 58.3 acres contains a 3,000 ft segment of highway and is 36 percent impervious.

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USGS1977

Quality of storm-water runoff from a residential area, Broward County, Florida

Rainfall, runoff, and water-quality information were collected in a 19.2-hectare single-family residential area in Broward County, Fla., between April 1974 and September 1975. During this period, 231 rainfall periods were recorded; 106 were large enough to produce runoff, and 30 were sampled for chemical analyses. The fraction of rainfall that runs off is low, usually 5 to 10 percent. Several factors which combine to reduce runoff are the large area of pervious lawns (61 percent), the gentle slope of the area, and the use of grassy swales for routing storm water. Bulk precipitation (rainfall plus dry fallout) quality is good by comparison to that of other metropolitan areas. As a consequence of the low runoff and the low concentrations of the bulk precipitation, loads for this residential area are small. Estimated annual load for chemical oxygen demand was 22.5 kilograms per hectare; total residue, 85.3 kg/ha; total nitrogen, 1.48 kg/ha; and total phosphorus, 0.21 kg/ha.

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USGS1976

Ground-water quality in the Davie Landfill, Broward County, Florida

Ground-water adjacent to a disposal pond for septic tank sludge, oil, and grease at the Davie landfill, Broward County, Florida was tested for a variety of ground-water contaminants. Three wells adjacent to the disposal pond yielded water rich in nutrients, organic carbon and many other chemical constituents. Total coliform bacteria ranged from less than 100 to 660 colonies per 100 milliliters in samples collected from the shallowest well (depth 20 feet). At well depths of 35 and 45 feet bacterial counts were less than 20 colonies per 100 milliliters or zero. Concentrations of several constituents in water samples collected from the wells downgradient from the landfill, disposal pond, and an incinerator wash pond were greater than in samples collected from wells immediately upgradient of the landfill. A comparison of sodium-chloride ion ratios indicated that downgradient ground-water contamination was related to the incinerator wash water pond rather than the septic tank sludge pond. (Woodard-USGS)

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USGS1975

Simulation of dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand, Plantation Canal, Broward County, Florida with an evaluation of the QUAL-I model for use in south Florida

A mathematical model; QUAL-I, developed by the Texas Water Development Board, was evaluated as a management tool in predicting the spatial and temporal distribution of dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand in Plantation Canal. Predictions based on the QUAL-I model, which was verified only against midday summer-flow conditions, showed that improvement of quality of inflows from sewage treatment plants and use of at least 130 cubic feet per second of dilution water would improve water quality in the canal significantly. The model was not fully amenable to use on Plantation Canal because: (1) it did not consider photosynthetic production, nitrification, and benthic oxygen demand as sources and sinks of oxygen; (2) the model assumptions of complete mixing, transport, and steady state were not met; and (3) the data base was inadequate because it consisted of only one set of data for each case. However, it was felt that meaningful results could be obtained for some sets of conditions. (Woodard-USGS)

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USGS1959

Ground-water resources of the Oakland Park area of eastern Broward County, Florida

The Biscayne aquifer is the source of all fresh ground water in the Oakland Park area of eastern Broward County, Florida. This aquifer extends from the land surface to more than 215 feet below mean sea level and is composed chiefly of sandy marine limestone, calcareous sandstone, and beds of fine to medium quartz sand. The aquifer differs from place to place, but, in general, most of the layers of limestone and sandstone occur at depths below 60 feet. The permeability of the aquifer increases with depth.

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