Palm Bay takes steps to restore Turkey Creek

PALM BAY, FLORIDA - On April 20, 2023, Palm Bay City Council adopted the Turkey Creek Restoration Feasibility Study, prepared by consultants from Geosyntec and Applied Ecology. The Study identifies several water quality projects to improve the health of Turkey Creek, a tributary to the Indian River Lagoon. The Study provides the City with recommended restoration and pollution prevention projects that could be funded by various State and local grant programs.

Over the past two years, consultants from Geosyntec and Applied Ecology analyzed existing certified water quality, aquatic weed control, and used septic to sewer data to model the ecological and water quality benefit of muck dredging and sediment island removal. This data was compiled, analyzed, and modeled using the latest empirical water quality models used in the Turkey Creek watershed. All this information led to the recommended restoration projects and upstream best management practices.

The Study, funded by State appropriations under a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant, is the first comprehensive study undertaken by the City to evaluate existing conditions in Turkey Creek. The recommendations provided in the Study will be implemented by the City over a period of approximately five years to improve the water quality in Turkey Creek and, ultimately, the Indian River Lagoon. To view the Turkey Creek Feasibility Restoration Study, visit www.pbfl.org/stormwater.