FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


ondary artesian aquifer from 80 to 150 ppm. Water from the Floridan aquifer increased in mineral content from 70 ppm in the northern part to about 700 ppm in the southern part of the basin. Mineral content of water from streams and lakes, exclusive of those receiving artesian spring flow, was from 6 to 25 ppm. Water from springs had a mineral content from 50 to 68 ppm and was similar to water from the Floridan aquifer in the upper part of the basin.
   Streamfiow into the coastal bays is at an average of about 960 mgd. Flow to North Bay is about 680 mgd, of which about 650 mgd flows through Deer Point Lake. East Bay receives about 210 mgd, and West Bay about 70 mgd. Runoff from the lower half of the drainage of Econfina Creek is 90 inches per year. This is about three times the runoff from the upper half of the basin and is a result of artesian spring flow.
   There are about 80 named lakes in the basin, some of which have a wide range in stage. A plan has been proposed to divert water from Econlina Creek to a group of these lakes in southeastern Washington County to stabilize their levels. At the proposed point of diversion, Econfina Creek has a minimum flow of 30 mgd, which would supply about 0.5 of a foot of water per month on the proposed lake area.

                       INTRODUCTION
    This report describes and evaluates the water resources of the Econfina. Creek basin area located in northwestern Florida. The area encompasses about 1,000 square miles and includes most of Bay County and parts of Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Washington counties, as shown in figure 1. As considered in this report, the Econfina, Creek basin area includes all basins that drain into the bay system within Bay County.
    Over 90 percent of the 70,000 people in the basin are located near the coast and are centered in the Panama City area. In 1963, water use in the basin was at the rate of 25.2 mgd. The three largest water users were the International Paper Company, Panama City, and Tyndall Air Force Base.
    Ground-water levels were known to be below sea level in well fields supplying the major users. Information was needed to determine the extent of the low water levels and their effect on the water resources of the area.
    More than 80 fresh-water lakes are situated in the higher parts of the area, mostly in southeastern Washington County. Included is a group of lakes locally known as The Deadening. Considerable