Biscayne Aquifer facts for kids
The Biscayne Aquifer is like a giant underground sponge that holds fresh water. It's named after Biscayne Bay and is a shallow layer of rock that lets water pass through easily. This important water source is found under parts of South Florida, including Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties. It covers a huge area, about 4,000 square miles (10,360 square kilometers).
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What is the Biscayne Aquifer?
The ground in South Florida has three main layers that absorb water. The Biscayne Aquifer is the one closest to the surface. Because it's so close, it connects directly with rivers, lakes, canals, and reservoirs. All of this water, both above and below ground, is managed as one big system.
How the Aquifer Works
The very top part of the Biscayne Aquifer is the water table. This means it's an "unconfined aquifer" because its top surface is open to the air. It also connects with Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This makes it a "coastal aquifer." Both of these things mean it can be easily affected by pollution.
Protecting Our Water
If too much water is pumped out, the water level in the aquifer can drop. This could allow salt water from the ocean to move into the fresh water. To stop this, people use special structures like dams in canals. Also, because the aquifer is so close to the surface, it's very easy for pollution from the land to get into the water. For example, a large area of saltwater is spreading from the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station towards the wells that draw water from the aquifer.
Managing Our Water Supply
The South Florida Water Management District is in charge of the Biscayne Aquifer. They also manage a huge system of canals, pumping stations, Lake Okeechobee, and other water areas. Their job is to watch and control how water is stored and released.
Keeping Water Safe
The district has to be careful about salt water getting into the fresh water. They also monitor how much water people need. At the same time, they manage extra flood water and make sure there's enough water for everyone.
Who Uses This Water?
The Biscayne Aquifer is the main source of fresh water for the South Florida metropolitan area. This includes most of South Florida, from Homestead, Florida to Boca Raton, Florida. Water from the Biscayne Aquifer is even piped all the way to the Florida Keys.
