SHALLOW - Littoral Shelf | water

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SHALLOW
This area is considered a littoral shelf. (See Wikipedia Definition)

MARKERS
New "Slow Speed-Minimum Wake" signs were paired along the western side of the approach, to channel boats west of the area, which is not suited for the lateral buoyage system (red nuns, green cans). These signs replaced older ones located on the pre-existing boundary. The previous signs were located on the east and west shores, and were largely ignored since the 1980s. New signs are strictly enforced, and residents have been advised to call Sheriff's office land units to intercept habitual violators.

HYDROGEOLOGY
The entire southeast portion is a shallow littoral shelf. Since both the North Lobe and South Lobe are hydrogeologically two separate basins, water flows in a circular manner offshore (north) of this shelf. The area surrounding the shelf is designated "Slow Speed-Minimum Wake". No skiing is permitted in these areas, as running aground or passing through shallow water disturbs sediment, which contains benthic organisms including bacteria and amoebas.

The littoral shelf contains some of the last remaining vestages of Vallisineria (tapegrass), which looks similar to Thalassia (turtle grass) found in saltwater grass flats.

RECENT ACCIDENTS IN THIS AREA DUE TO BOATER NEGLIGENCE:
- In 2007 a jetskiier traveling on-plane hit a submerged object, thusting him into the console. The victim suffering internal abdominal injuries and incapable of piloting a vessel, sped to a home on 106th Ave N where he was transported to EMS. The victim narrowly missed several docks in the process.

- Most incidents consist of vessels running aground. Often vessels incur mechanical damage such as broken propellers, shafts, clogged seawater intakes, and destroyed water pump impellers.

- In 2008, there were two separate occassions where vessels, engaged in reckless high-speed circles in the shallow cove, tore their steering cables from the outer sheath and smashed into the shorelines. These vessels were towed from the scene by good samaritans.

SEDIMENT DISTURBANCE, AND WHY BOATERS SHOULD AVOID IT:
Both boats or Personal Watercraft (PWCs) including jet skis can disturb sediment. Suspended sediment reduces water quality and clarity, and contains benthic organisms hazardous to public health, especially for wakeboarders and waterskiiers. Thus, care must be exercised to avoid disturbing shallow areas on Lake Seminole.

IMPORTANCE OF LITTORAL SHELVES AND WHY DREDGING IS UNFEASIBLE:
Submerged aquatic life, especially those concentrated on littoral shelves, are essential for a healthy lake. Due to Lake Seminole's official designation as hypereutrophic, light cannot penetrate to the deeper areas of the lake. Littoral shelves surrounding the rim are absolutely essential to achieve the necessary 30-40% threshold coverage of native submerged vegetation, necessary for a bio-chemically stable lake. Dredging these last remaining areas would only solidify Lake Seminole as West-Central Florida's largest stormwater-runoff retention pond. Furthermore, the circulation of the lobe would spread sediment in a similar shape and location, but would likely be more biologically and geologically unstable. For example: sediment would be naturally redistributed in the cove, and with no vegetation, would spread rapidly over a wider area, making it shallower. Other areas around the lake have been carefully selected for potential dredging according to benthic sampling criteria.

POTENTIAL USES FOR THIS AREA:
Fishing, canoeing/kayaking, daytime anchoring for shallow-draft vessels, picnicking.

PLANTS
Vallisineria (tapegrass), Stargrass, and various rushes are featured. Flowering plants including water lily and iris species. For a complete list of emersed plants visit plants.ifas.ufl.edu
WILDLIFE
Birds, Otters (adjacent nesting area), Alligators
FISH
Bass, Crappie, Tilapia, Catfish, Crustaceans

NOTE:
- It is unwise to navigate east of the marked channel, or at any speed above minimum wake in this area.
- Watersports are not recommended. Fallen skiiers have been seen standing knee-to-thigh deep in this area, and towboats have incurred damage while planing-off in shallow water.
- It is imcumbent upon boaters to visit pinellascounty.org/LakeSeminole and download the depth contour map or purchase lake maps/charts from a licensed distrubutor.
- BOATERS CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE caused by their vessel to submerged aquatic preserves.
- All accidents involving more than $1000 in damage OR injury must be reported to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

For FREE INSTRUCTION boating safety courses contact Clearwater Sail and Power Squadron at (727) 441-8775.
For information regarding Lake Seminole Watershed Projects visit www.pinellascounty.org/LakeSeminole