It’s that time of the year for Manatees
It’s That Time Of The Year For Manatees
By Reinier MunguĂa

As temperatures drop in Florida, our beloved manatees embark on their migration towards warmer water sources. Traditionally, these sources comprised Florida springs, maintaining a consistent temperature range of 70 to 88 degrees. However, in the present era, manatees seek any available sources that offer them the desired warmth and comfort. This includes power plants and their associated warm water outfalls. Currently two-thirds of all manatees depend on these artificial warm water sources, as most of the springs have been blocked by dams, have reduced waterflows or are extensively used for recreation. This leaves the manatees with limited alternatives, and the future of these water sources may also be jeopardized with the ongoing phase-out of power plants and their replacement with solar projects. This underscores the critical need for discussion, as the well-being of manatees relies heavily on these warm water sources. Without access to these wintering sites, manatees face the potential threat of cold stress, posing a significant risk to their survival.
Over the course of two years, I had the privilege of working on a project centered around the Ocklawaha and Silver rivers, bringing me in close proximity to manatees and the challenges they confront. During an exploration of the Silver River, I encountered Millie, a renowned female manatee with a rich history. Millie was initially spotted at a power plant in Brevard County in 1980, and since then, researchers have meticulously tracked her movements along the east coast of Florida, ranging from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to the Upper St. Johns River. Notably, Millie has garnered recognition for nurturing at least nine calves, with the first born in 1985 and the most recent in 2004. In the winter of 2014-2015, she was observed nursing an orphan at Blue Spring.
On that particular day, Millie likely traversed the Buckman lock at the Rodman Dam to access the Silver River, where she could find abundant warm water and indulge in one of her favorite foods, eelgrass. However, navigating through the lock system poses potential challenges and dangers, as there is a risk of being trapped inside the lock for an extended period.
Recently, during a visit to the South Bay Boat Ramp in Lake Okeechobee, I was surprised to encounter a manatee feeding on water lettuce. This raises questions about whether the manatee would successfully make its way out of the lake in time to locate a warm water refuge. Such scenarios prompt reflection on the impact of human activities on other species as we strive to enhance our own lifestyles.
Over the past few years, various initiatives have been undertaken to enhance access to warm water. These include the dredging of the Fanning Springs run in the Suwanee River and the replanting of seagrasses in the Weeki Wachee Springs, aiming to offer a vital food source for manatees during the winter. If you’re interested in supporting manatees, here are a few things you can do:
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Minimize fertilizer usage: Runoffs from fertilizers are associated with algae blooms that contribute to red tide and large-scale mortality of marine life, such as fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees.
Exercise caution and reduce speed: When operating a boat, adhere to designated no-wake zones and lower your speed when manatees are present.
Protect sea grass beds: Avoid shallow waters to prevent harm to sea grass beds from boat propellers.
Give them space: When snorkeling or diving near manatees, always maintain a safe distance, allowing them ample room to move, and refrain from approaching or touching them.
You might be wondering about the connection between the residents of Polk County and manatees. Well, the explanation is both straightforward and intricate. Although situated far from the ocean and the rivers frequented by manatees, Polk County holds the origin of five crucial rivers that eventually flow into manatee habitats.
For instance, the Peace River serves as a vital water source for the Charlotte Harbor Estuary, where numerous manatees rely on seagrass for sustenance. Unfortunately, these seagrasses are negatively affected by an excess of nutrients in the water, stemming from practices such as over-fertilizing lawns, septic tank leaks, and various pollutants entering the water. What occurs upstream has repercussions for all the organisms downstream.
Take the Hillsborough River as another example, originating in Polk and concluding in Tampa Bay, another highly significant Manatee Area. It’s essential to recognize that our actions, even though we reside far from the ocean, have a substantial impact on it.
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Want to see some manatees? Here are some places you may want to visit.
Manatee Vieweing Center
6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Three Sisters Springs
601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave. Orange City FL 32763