Hydrology

   A thorough analysis of hydrology
patterns is another important aspect
in planning the development and
redevelopment of any land located in such
close proximity to a lake as McIntosh is to
Orange Lake. Historically, Orange Lake has
played a major role in McIntosh, serving as
a port for shipping goods up through the
St. John's River to Jacksonville in the years


preceding the rail road and as a fishing mecca
in the later years. Views to the lake used to
be very prevalent throughout McIntosh, but
today with the maturing oak trees, glimpses
of the lake are very limited. Now, there are
only two views of the lake, atop of the big
hill or 'vista' to the south of town and to the
east of the old rail bed.
   Orange Lake's water level fluctuates, as it
is connected into the ground water system.
Therefore, smart water management needs


Chapter 4 Natural Systems Analysis


  Legend                    r.. I- p :r,,.:  l
                            rht' ,i.ru.h .ur
  Erodabilit, Rating
  ;- rv; Mjdclet ale
  SH                             . igh
       Streams
                            in I.-. rh ii ._..
       l,/eila nd5
       J---ars .              r .  .r r.! .
  II   Surfacer             I 4 ae. \ Ir
  Surface iWaier Buffer



       120rr,
       120mn-               rh ,it _ ri.
       Irlermejiaie CoricOurs
                            hi-_ hr  i.;r. .
  I--- Index Contours       r, ,:.-i.
  *    High Poris -GOcd '.,e*s  hydrology.
  *L   !.hjar .V aIi FIo^  This causes
       M.nor al,?r Fl,:,.. a myriad of
   S- - Ridqeline  Flow Direcicor, problems for

                           the lake, a lot
of which are related to stormwater runoff
coming from US Hwy 441.
       The surface water and wetlands of
McIntosh, which comprise much of the
main visual water element of the town,
should be treated in the same way for
the reasons of town preservation. Strict
regulations must be implemented to not
only remove the existing contaminants
of the water within the town, but also to
protect its' future quality by managing its
flow patterns, which are shown in the chart
to the left. Damaging these resources
or building too close and blocking views
could lead to the deterioration of the

                                     U11>~