capacity was initiated in the 1980's to maintain a balance between recreational use and

preservation of the river (ISBWG, 2006). A survey of submerged aquatic vegetation was

conducted in 2003 and found that approximately 78% of the Ichetucknee river-bottom is covered

with submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). By comparing this to an older study conducted before

the formation of ISSP, they found that SAV had increased by 350% since 1979 (Kurtz et al

2004)

 In 2006 FDEP conducted a water quality study of the Ichetucknee, comparing data

between 1995-2006, with the purpose of determining whether sites of contamination in the basin

were affecting water quality and to see if algal growth in areas of the river were having a

negative affect. Several sampling sites were established in the recharge basin and compared to

sites along the river. The study found that pesticide, herbicide, and metals were not an issue

along the river. Total phosphorous was found to be relatively low in the river and showed no

significant change from 1995-2006. Nitrate-nitrite levels in the springs however were elevated,

and many exceeded the 85-90th percentile concentration for Florida rivers (FDEP, 2006a). The

2006 nitrate concentrations also tended to be slightly higher than those in 1995 indicating an

increasing trend over time. However, this study could not provide conclusive links between the

presence of nitrates and overgrowth of algae that has occurred in parts of the river.

 Another FDEP ecological study was conducted in 2006 that measured water quality data,

as well as conducting a habitat assessment and benthic macro-invertebrate stream condition

index (SCI). This study also found levels of nitrates to be elevated in the Ichetucknee. The

habitat assessment score was 134 and which is considered in the "optimal" range. The results of

the SCI, a complex method of comparing taxa of macro-invertebrates, revealed a score of 56

which is comparable to other relatively undisturbed streams in the state (FDEP, 2006b). Both of