SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

23

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
PolkandOsceolaCounty

Areawithinplanningboundaryfootprint
37,150acres
Districtfeesimpleownership
12,915acres
Otherpublicfeesimpleownership
4,312acres
Areaunderotherregulatoryrestriction
(conservationeasement,plattedpreservearea,etc.)
*acreagesareestimates 7,900acres

SiteOverview
Thisareaconsistsofextensivelowlandssurroundingcreeks
thatflowintotheKissimmeeChainofLakes.Themost
significantisReedyCreek,ontheeastside,whichreceives
waterfromtheWaltDisneyWorldResortandthe
southwesternregionofthegreaterOrlandoarea.These
wetlandsprovidewaterqualityimprovementbenefitsto
theregion,particularlyafterstormsandduringtherainy
season,whenwaterspillsoutoftheshallownatural
streambedsandsheetflowsthroughthebasin.

TheReedyCreekfloodplainisjoinedtothebroadswamps
andhardwoodwetlandstothewestthroughthe
IntercessionCityassessmentunit.Thewesternunitsare
lowlandsthatsurroundsmalltributaries(SnellCreekand
HorseCreek)ofLakeMarionCreek,awatercoursethat
connectsLakeMariontoLakeHatchineha.Thesecreeks
andforestedwetlandsareanimportantfeatureofthe
Evergladesheadwaters.
TheDistrictbeganpurchasinglandswithintheLakeMarion
CreekProjectAreaandUpperReedyCreekProjectAreain
1994throughtheSaveOurRiversprogram.Themajority
oflandwasacquiredbetweenJuly1994andMay1997.

AssessmentUnits
IntercessionCity
TheIntercessionCityunitliessouthofS.OrangeBlossom
Trail(U.S.1792).Theunitlieswithinthefloodplainof
ReedyCreek.

LakeRussellandPoincianaBlvd
TheLakeRussellandPoicianaBlvdunitconsistoftwo
tractswithintheReedyCreekfloodplainthatare
connectedbyplattedpreserveareasofPoinciana.

HuckleberryIsland/SnellCreek
HuckleberryIslandandSnellCreekcontaintheprimary
publicusefeatures,withmilesoftrails,picnicareas,and
primitivecampingsites.Thisunithasbeenestablishedasa
WildlifeManagementAreaandopenedtohuntingbythe
FishandWildlifeConservationCommission.

LakeMarion
TheLakeMarionunitconsistsofDistrictandPolkCounty
ownedlandlyingsouthofCypressParkway(CR580),
excludingtheAvatarScrubunit.Theselandsarefloodplain
forestsandswamps,thosewhichborderLakeMarionor
surroundLakeMarionCreek,andarebisectedbyanarrow
sandyridgeofscrub.

AvatarScrub
TheAvatarScrubsiteisahighsandridgeofscrubwitha
steepforestedseepageslopeleadingdownintotheLake
MarionCreekfloodplain,andacutthroatgrassseepage
slopeontheoppositesideoftheridge.

LakeMarionCreekplanningboundarydividedinto
AssessmentUnits
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

24

PubliclyOwnedLandandProtectedLandinLakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

25

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
AssessmentUnit:IntercessionCity
Districtfeesimpleownership4,033acres

IntercessionCityisnamedafterafailedlanddevelopment
fromthe1920srealestateboom.Atthattimeitwascalled
InteroceanCity,adevelopmentthatwentbustwhenthe
realestatebubbleofthe20sburst.DuringtheDepression,
thesitewasdonatedtoagroupoforphanswhohadlost
theiroriginalorphanageandwhopickedthewild
huckleberriesgrowinginthepineislandsinorderto
survive.Theorphanagebecameabiblecollegeinthe40s,
whichclosedin1953.TheDistrictacquiredthesitein1995
and1997undertheSaveOurRiversprogram.

CurrentUse
Thesiteisbeingmanagedandmaintainedinitsnatural
stateandcondition.ThereisanortherntractsouthofU.S.
1792,andasoutherntractnorthofthePoinciana
community.

CoreMissionValue
ThesitereceiveswaterthatoriginatesfromtheWalt
DisneyWorldResortandotherdevelopedareasofthe
southwestOrlandoarea.Consistingofabroadandlow
floodplain,thesiteisanimportantfloodattenuationand
waterqualityfeature.Thesiteservesasaninitialnatural
filterforstormwaterrunoffpriortoenteringthe
KissimmeeChainofLakes.Therearetwopineislands
withintheunitthatareperiodicallyburnedthroughthe
applicationofprescribedfire.

OtherResourceValue
Theareaispredominantlyforestedwetlandswithinthe
ReedyCreekfloodplain.Therearetwosignificantpine
islands,onesouthoftheIntercessionCitycommunity,and
onenorthofthePoincianacommunity.Thesiteisa
landscapescalenaturalsystem,containingbothupland
andwetlandcommunities,andsupportsanabundanceof
wildlife.Thesiteisanimportantwildlifecorridorservingas
anexusbetweenthewesternLakeMarionCreeksystemto
thesouthwest,theReedycreekfloodplaintothe
southeast,andtheReedyCreekImprovementDistrict
landsandtheWaltDisneyWorldResorttothenorth.

ManagementIssues
Thebiggestmanagementissueiskeepingexoticspecies
undercontrolwithinthefloodplain.Accessingtheinterior
areasoftheswampisdifficult.Theproximityofthepine
islandtotheIntercessionCitycommunityand
U.S.1792limitstheconditionsunderwhichitcanbe
burned.

PublicUseandRecreationValue
Thereisapublicaccesstrailheadtothenorthernmostpine
islandintheunit.Therearehikingtrailsthatextenddown
intotheswamp.Thedistancethatonemaytravelintothe
swampchangeswiththeseasonalfluctuationsofwater
levels.Thetrailheadisusedfrequentlybyresidentsofthe
intercessioncitycommunity.

IntercessionCity(theareashownwithintheyellow
planningboundary)
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

26

IntercessionCity,northerntract,photos

IntercessionCitytrailhead
ThepineislandatintercessionCity,lookingsouthtowardstheswamp.(281522N,813016W)
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

27

IntercessionCitypineisland,groundview(left);andthetrailasitdipsintotheswampinthewetseason(right).
BurningtheIntercessionCitypineisland,theecologicalhealthofthepineislandsaredependentuponthe
periodicapplicationofprescribedfire.
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

28

IntercessionCity,southerntract,photos

Lookingsouth,southerntract,averydiversesystem:wetprairietowardsthetop,pinelandsandcypressatcenter,oak
hammockatupperright,andthemixedhardwood/cypressfloodplainswampatleft.(281213N,813004W)
Pinelandsinthesouthern
IntercessionCitytract
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

29

IntercessionCity,IndividualParcel
Assessments
PondParcel6acreparcelsouthofUS1792,anda
WhentheIntercessionCitytractwasacquiredbythe
District,itincludeda6acreparcelsouthofU.S.1792(the
PondParcel)thathadpreviouslybeencleared,probablyas
sitepreparationfordevelopment.Thereisapondinthe
northwestcornerofthesite.Thereiscommerciallanduse
toitseast.
ThePondParcelishighlydisturbed,havingbeenpreviously
cleared.Thecurrentunderstoryisamixofexoticand
nativegrasses,andperiodicallyinundatedwithwaterfrom
theswamptothewest.Thesiteprovidessomedegreeof
benefitasabufferbetweenthecommerciallandusetothe
eastandthewetlandsandsmallstreambedimmediatelyto
thewest.Thesitedoeshaverestorationpotential.
Additionally,grassyareasarerareinthepredominantly
forestedwetlandfloodplainofReedyCreekandare
generallyhighlyutilizedbywildlife,particularlyduringhigh
waterstages.

16acrestripbetweenOldTampaHwyandUS17
TheIntercessionCitytractalsoincludeda16acrestripof
landbetweenU.S.1792andOldTampaHighway.This
parcelconsistsofasmallstreambed,surroundedbya
mixedcypress/hardwoodforestedwetland.Thereisa4.3
acreoakhammockontheeastsideofthestrip,acrossU.S.
1792fromthePondParcel.Thisisamoderatelydisturbed
hammockthatmaybeaccessedfromOldTampaHighway
toitsnorth.Thereiscommerciallandusetoitseastand
residentialtoitswest.Theparceltaperstoawedgeonits
westernend.
Thesmallstreambednearthemiddleofthesiteconveys
watertothenortheasternsectionoftheIntercessionCity
tract.Thesitehaspotentialasawildlifecorridorlink
betweentheReedyCreekandShingleCreekfloodplains,
butsuchalinkcouldbeseverediftheprivateagricultural
landsimmediatelytothenorthweredeveloped.Some
specieswouldlikelyusetheOldTampaHighwayandthe
adjacentrailcorridortobridgethetwonaturalareasin
suchanevent.

SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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PondParcel6acreparcelsouthofUS17
Themostlycleared6acrepondparcel
Aerialviewofthecleared6acrepondparcel(281525N,812946W)
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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16acrestripbetweenOldTampaHwyandUS17

Aerialviewofthe16acrestrip(281532N,812946W)
Roadsideviewofthe16acrestriplookingnorthfromU.S.1792
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

32

Roadsideviewofthe16acrestriplookingnorthfromOldTampaHighway
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

33

Year
Acquired
1997
1995
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
Funding
Source
Preservation 2000
Land Acquisition
TrustFund
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
LandUse/
LandCover
DevelopedArea
Pasture
Agriculture
Fallow Cropland
Upland Non-Forested
Upland Forested
Waterways
WetHardwood Forest
Slough
Marshes and Wetlands
Barren Land
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
IntercessionCity,LandAcquisition

IntercessionCity,LandCharacter

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
16acrestrip 6acrepondparcel
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

34

Potential
Habitat
Richness
1 species
2-4 species
5-6 species
7 species
8-13 species
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
Priority 6
RareSpecies
Habitat
Priorities
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
IntercessionCity,LandCharacter(Continued)

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
16acrestrip 6acrepondparcel
16acrestrip 6acrepondparcel
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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FEMA
FloodZone
Hazard
A
AE
AH
AO
AREA NOT INCLUDED
D
OPEN WATER
V
VE
X
MINIMAL FLOOD HAZARD
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
RareNatural
Communities
Critically imperiled
Imperiled
Very rare/vulnerable
Apparently secure
Demonstrably secure
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
Strategic
Habitat
Conservation
Areas
Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
16acre
Strip
6Acre
Pond
Parcel
IntercessionCity,LandCharacter(Continued)

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
AssessmentUnit:LakeRussellandPoinciana
BlvdTracts
Districtfeesimpleownership871acres

ThesetwotractsliealongtheReedyCreekfloodplain,on
theeasternsideofthePoincianacommunity.The
Poincianacommunitywasanearlyexampleofthelarge
scaleplannedurbandevelopmentthatbecamewidespread
inthe1990s.Poincianawasplattedinthemid1970s,soit
predatedmodernlanduserules.Mostofthefloodplain
wasdedicatedtopreservationthroughtheplattingofthe
development.TheDistrictslandacquisitioneffortfocused
onthefloodplainparcelsthatwerenotplattedpreserves.

CurrentUse
Thetwotractsarebeingmanagedandmaintainedintheir
naturalstateandcondition.TheLakeRusselltractisbeing
utilizedbytheOsceolaCountySchoolBoardasan
environmentalandnaturalresourceeducationcenterfor
Countystudents.TheSchoolBoardconductseducational
programsthroughouttheschoolyearaswellasasummer
camp.

CoreMissionValue
ThePoincianaBoulevardtract,togetherwiththeadjacent
tractspreservedthroughthedevelopmentofPoinciana,
helpsprotectthefloodplainofReedyCreekfromdirect
stormwaterdischargesfromadjacentdevelopments.The
protectionofthefloodplainenablesthecreektofluctuate
naturally.
LakeRussellhasanaturalshorelineallthewayaround,
withnodirectstormwaterdischargesfromresidentialor
commercialdevelopment.TheLakeRusselltracthadbeen
plattedforresidentialdevelopmentatthetimetheDistrict
acquiredit.

OtherResourceValue
ThePoincianaBoulevardtractispredominantlyacypress
swamp,butalsocontainsa300widestripofpines
betweentheswampandPoincianaBoulevard.
TheLakeRusselltractisanisolatedislandofscrub,dry
prairie,scrubbyflatwood,andafringingseepageslope;all
ofwhichissurroundedbytheReedyCreekfloodplain
swamp.Thereareanumberofrareandendemicscrub
speciespresentonsite,andrarepitcherplantsmaybe
foundontheseepageslopes.Gophertortoisesare

present.TheLakeRussellshorelinecontainsalargewood
storkrookery.
ManagementIssues
AccessingtheswampinthePoincianaTracttoconduct
landmanagementactivities,primarilyexoticspecies
control,isdifficultsinceitisaswampthatrarelydries
down.Theproximityofthe300widestripofpinesto
PoincianaBlvdlimitstheconditionsunderwhichitmaybe
burned.
TheDistrictconductstheresourcemanagementactivities
ontheLakeRusselltract,whiletheSchoolBoardconducts
facilitymaintenance.

PublicUseandRecreationValue
TheLakeRusselltractisoperatedbytheOsceolaCounty
SchoolBoardasaneducationalfacilityforOsceolaCounty
students.ThePoincianaBlvd.tractisopentothepublicfor
shorthikesthroughanaccessgateonoffPoincianaBlvd.

ThePoincianaBlvdandLakeRussellTracts
YearAcquired:1995
FundingSource:Preservation2000
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

37

PoincianaBlvd.tract,photos

ThePoincianaBlvdtractfromPoincianaBlvd.,itsa300deeppinelandthatdropsoffquicklytothecypressswamp
CypressswampwithintheReedyCreekfloodplainatthePoincianaBlvd.Tract
ReedyCreekatthePoincianaBlvd.tract
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

38

LakeRusselltract,photos

NativelopsidedIndiangrasswithinthepineflatwoodsoftheLakeRussell
tract
ScrubbyflatwoodswithintheLakeRussellTract
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

39

LakeRusselltract,photos
CypresskneesonReedyCreekattheLakeRusselltract
CypressontheLakeRussellshoreline
ThewoodstorkrookeryalongtheLakeRussell
shoreline
Carnivorouspitcherplantsontheseepageslope
betweenthescrubandtheswampyfloodplain
AwoodducknestboxonReedyCreek
Lichengrowingonoakrootswithinthescrub
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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LakeRusselltract,PublicUse/Education

OsceolaCountystudentslearningaboutscrubecology
ClassroomfacilitiesontheLakeRusselltract
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

41

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:LakeRussellandPoincianaBlvdLandCharacter

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

42

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Lake
RussellandPoincianaBlvdLandCharacter
(Continued)

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

43

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
AssessmentUnit:HuckleberryIsland/Snell
Creek
Districtfeesimpleownership4,670acres

CurrentUse
Thesiteisbeingmanagedandmaintainedinitsnatural
stateandcondition.Thisassessmentunithasbeen
establishedaspartoftheLakeMarionCreekWildlife
ManagementAreabyFWCthroughacooperative
agreementwiththeDistrict.TheDistrictistheprinciple
resourcemanageronthepropertyandtheCommission
managesthepublichuntingprogramandhandleswildlife
issues.

CoreMissionValue
Thesiteprimarilyconsistsofthelowbroadfloodplain
swampofSnellCreek,themaintributaryofLakeMarion
Creek.SnellCreekreceiveswaterfromseveralresidential
communitiesandlargeagriculturalareas.Thesiteprovides
significantfloodattenuationandwaterqualitybenefits
(i.e.naturalfiltrationandwaterstoragewithinthe6,000
acreswamp).

OtherResourceValue
Thesitecontainsscrubandscrubbyflatwoodswithinthe
southwesternportionofthesite,whichcontainsrareand
endemicnativeplants.Therearefourpineislandsonthe
easternside,whichoffersubstantialbenefittowildlifeand
containmanyherbaceousplantsandwildflowers.

ManagementIssues
Accesstointeriorportionsoftheswampisdifficult,sothe
presenceofexoticplantspeciesmustbemonitored
aerially.Thereisapowereasementonthewesternsideof
thepropertythatisasourceofexoticspeciesinfestation,
yettheinterioroftheswampisingoodcondition.Thepine
islandsandscrubbyflatwoodsareperiodicallymaintained
throughtheapplicationofprescribedfire.

PublicUseandRecreationValue
Hunting,primitivecamping,bicycling,andhikingare
popularactivitiesonthesite.Therearethreepublicaccess
pointsnorthofCypressParkway,andoneonthesouth
sideofHorseshoeCreekRoad.

HuckleberryIsland/SnellCreek(theareashown
withintheyellowplanningboundary).Districtowned
parcelsareblue.
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

44

TheLakeMarionCreekWildlifeManagement
Area,establishedbyFWC

SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

45

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:
HuckleberryIslandandSnellCreek,photos

AprescribedfireonHuckleberryIsland(upperleft),
wildflowersareabundantatHuckleberryIsland
(above),theSnellCreekfloodplainswamp(left),and
theSnellCreekscrubbyflatwood(below).
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

46

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Snell
CreekandHuckleberryIsland,PublicUse

PrimitivecampingatHuckleberryIsland ThemaintrailatHuckleberryIsland
TheSnellCreektrailhead
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

47

Funding
Source
Polk County &
Preservation 2000
Preservation 2000
Year
Acquired
1996
1995
LandUse/
LandCover
DevelopedArea
Pasture
Agriculture
Fallow Cropland
Upland Non-Forested
Upland Forested
Waterways
WetHardwood Forest
Slough
Marshes and Wetlands
Barren Land
FEMA
FloodZone
Hazard
A
AE
AH
AO
AREA NOT INCLUDED
D
OPEN WATER
V
VE
X
MINIMAL FLOOD HAZARD
LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Snell
CreekandHuckleberryIs.,LandAcquisition
LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Snell
CreekandHuckleberryIs.,LandCharacter
IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

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RareNatural
Communities
Critically imperiled
Imperiled
Very rare/vulnerable
Apparently secure
Demonstrably secure
Potential
Habitat
Richness
1 species
2-4 species
5-6 species
7 species
8-13 species
Strategic
Habitat
Conservation
Areas
Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
Priority 6
RareSpecies
Habitat
Priorities
SnellCreekandHuckleberryIs.,Land
Character(Continued)

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

49

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
AssessmentUnit:LakeMarion
Districtfeesimpleownership2,999acres

LakeMarionCreekflowsfromLakeMariontoLake
Hatchineha.SnellCreekjoinsLakeMarionCreekabout
halfwayalongitscourse.TheDistrictacquiredseveral
parcelsthroughtheSaveOurRiversprogramtoprotect
theremainingfloodplain.Ahighridgeofscrubrunsina
northwesttosoutheastdirectionthroughthesite.Polk
CountysEnvironmentalLandsProgramhasalsoacquired
landswithinthearea.TheDistrictandPolkCounty
executedanagreementin1999throughwhichtheDistrict
managesthejointlyacquiredsitesinLakeMarionCreek
andPolkCountymanagestheSUMICApropertyonthe
northeastshoreofLakeWalkinWater.Additionally,Polk
CountymanagesthepropertieswithintheLakeMarion
CreekareathatweresolelyacquiredbytheCounty.

CurrentUse
Thesiteisbeingmanagedandmaintainedinitsnatural
stateandcondition.TheDistrictistheprincipleresource
managerontheproperty,andtheCommissionmanages
thepublichuntingprogramandwildlifeissues.

CoreMissionValue
ThesiteprimarilyconsistsofthefloodplainswampofLake
MarionCreek,thelittoralswamponthenorthshoreof
LakeMarion,andahighscrubridge.Therehasbeen
significantresidentialdevelopmentintheareaoverthe
last15years,preservingthefloodplainoftheriver
providesabufferbetweendevelopedareasandtheriver.
Inaddition,thefloodplainswampprovideswaterquality
improvementsthroughsheetflowandfiltration,andhelps
attenuatepotentialflooddamages.

OtherResourceValue
Thescrubridgecontainsmanyrareandendemicnative
plants.Thereisalsoanareawithintheswampthat
containsoneofonlyacoupleknownsitesinFloridaofthe
broadleavedgrassPharusLappulaceus.Thesiteisan
importantwildlifecorridorlinkbetweentheKissimmee
ChainofLakesandtheReedyCreekswamptothenorth,
anditwouldbeakeylinkinanyfuturecorridorthatwould
seektoconnecttheKissimmee/Evergladessystemwiththe
GreenSwamp/Hilocheesystemtothenorthwest.

ManagementIssues
Therearesignificantculturalresourcesitespresent.The
floodplainswampsurroundingLakeMarionCreekisonly
accessiblebyboat

PublicUseandRecreationValue
Mostofthisassessmentunithasbeenestablishedasa
WildlifeManagementAreabyFWC.Hiking,hunting,
boating,canoeingandkayakingarepopularactivities.
BoatsmayaccessLakeMarionCreekfromLakeMarionor
LakeHatchineha.Additionally,theDistrictmaintainsfour
trailheadsonthesouthsideofCypressParkway,andone
accesspointoffofBalticRd.
LakeMarionUnitDistrictParcelsareblue,Polk
Countyparcelsarebrown
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

50

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Lake
Marionunit,LandCharacter
LakeMarionCreek
Theraregrass,PharusLappulaceus
TheswampnorthofLakeMarion Therareandendemiccutthroatgrassseepageslopewiththe
scrubridgeinthebackground
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

51

Funding
Source
Land Acquisition
TrustFund
Land Acquisition Trust
Fund & Polk County
Preservation 2000
Preservation 2000
& Polk County
Year
Acquired
1997
1995
1998
LandUse/
LandCover
DevelopedArea
Pasture
Agriculture
Fallow Cropland
Upland Non-Forested
Upland Forested
Waterways
WetHardwood Forest
Slough
Marshes and Wetlands
Barren Land
FEMA
FloodZone
Hazard
A
AE
AH
AO
AREA NOT INCLUDED
D
OPEN WATER
V
VE
X
MINIMAL FLOOD HAZARD
LakeMarionunit,LandAcquisition

LakeMarionunit,LandCharacter

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

52

Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
Priority 6
RareSpecies
Habitat
Priorities
Strategic
Habitat
Conservation
Areas
Priority 1- HIGHEST
Priority 2
Priority 3
Priority 4
Priority 5
Potential
Habitat
Richness
1 species
2-4 species
5-6 species
7 species
8-13 species
RareNatural
Communities
Critically imperiled
Imperiled
Very rare/vulnerable
Apparently secure
Demonstrably secure
LakeMarionunit,LandCharacter(Continued)

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

53

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek
AssessmentUnit:AvatarScrub
Districtfeesimpleownership342acres

CurrentUse
Thesiteisbeingmanagedandmaintainedinitsnatural
stateandcondition.Thepropertyhadbeenpartially
clearedfordevelopmentatthetimeofacquisition,with
theroutesofroadsandculdesacscutintothescrub.
Theseopensandfeaturesseemtobefavoredbyresident
scrubjays.ThesitewasacquiredbytheFlorida
DepartmentofTransportationanddonatedtothedistrict
asmitigationforwaterresourceimpactsassociatedwith
thedevelopmentofatransportationcorridor.

CoreMissionValue
Thesitewasacquiredasmitigationforwaterresource
impacts.Theprimaryhydrologicfeatureistheforested
seepageslopethatrunsfromthehighscrubdowntothe
LakeMarionCreekfloodplain.Flowingwaterisoften
observedrunningdownthefaceoftheseepageslope;had
thesitebeendeveloped,thisseepageintoLakeMarion
Creekcouldhavebeenimpairedbyresidentialrunoff.

OtherResourceValue/ManagementIssues
Thescrubridgecontainsmanyrareandendemicnative
plants.Listedanimalsinclude,butmaynotbelimitedto,
thesandskink,gophertortoises,GopherFrogs,andscrub
jays.

PublicUseandRecreationValue
CurrentlytheareaisnotpartoftheFWCWildife
ManagementArea.Thesandislikelytoosoftformost
bicycles,buthikingaccessisavailablefromanaccesspoint
alongBalticDrive.

TheAvatarscrub.Theentireassessmentunitisowned
bytheDistrict.
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

54

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:Avatar
Scrub,photos

TheAvatarscrub,opensandyareas
AscrubjayattheAvatarscrub
Priortoacquisition,roadsandculdesacswerecutintothescrubforfuturedevelopment
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

55

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:AvatarScrubAcquisition

LakeMarionCreekandReedyCreek:AvatarScrubLandCharacter

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf
Note:Thesiteispredominantlyahighqualitynativescrubcommunity.It
wasnotdevelopedasthedatasuggests.
SFWMDLandAssessment,FeeSimpleLands 2013

56

IMPORTANTDISCLAIMER:Allmapsinthisdocumentareaconceptualorplanningtoolonly.TheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictdoesnotguaranteeormakeany
representationregardingtheinformationcontainedherein.Itisnotselfexecutingorbinding,anddoesnotaffecttheinterestsofanypersonsorproperties,includingany
presentorfuturerightoruseofrealproperty.
Formoreinformationonthedatalayersusedintheassessment,pleaserefertotheLandAssessmentStudyProcessandMethodologydocumentavailablehere:
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/land_assessment_study_process.pdf