For the Myakka River, the median elevations of six vegetative zones (i.e., Oak-Palm Wet

Hammock and Panicum Marsh) as well as six physical characteristics (i.e., Lowest Bank

Elevation to inundation both sides of river floodplain and Median elevation of hydric soils) were

identified at each of the 12 vegetative cross-sections, when they occurred. For the Myakka River

the downstream gage at which flow requirements were compared is the USGS Myakka River

near Sarasota gage (USGS# 02298830). The downstream flow requirements for each identified

feature are summarized in Table 3-3 and range from 0.9 m3 S-1 to reach the median elevation of

mixed marsh to 24.4 m3 S-1 to reach the median elevation of oak-palm wet hammock. Standard

deviations are also presented and indicate that flow requirements of some features differ greatly

among cross-sections, as noted in the Alafia River. The percentage by which reducing flow

would result in 15% fewer days of the target flow being reached is also presented. Flow

reduction resulting in 15% fewer days ranged from 8% for the median elevation of oak-palm wet

hammock and the lowest bank elevation to inundate one side of the river floodplain to 68% for

the median elevation of mixed marsh. This analysis was completed for each of the two

benchmark periods and results were similar to those found for the Alafia River (Kelly et al.

2005b).

 For the middle Peace River, 10 features, including both vegetative and physical, were

utilized in characterizing the flood plain (Table 3-4). For the middle Peace River the

downstream gage, at which flow requirements, are compared is the USGS Peace River at

Arcadia gage (USGS# 02296750). The downstream flow requirements for each identified

feature are summarized in Table 3-4 and range from 66.5 m3/S to reach the mean elevation of

mucky soils to 196.8 m3/S to reach the 90th percentile elevation of wet hardwood hammock.

Standard deviations are also presented and indicate that some features' flow requirements differ