Recent Events Recap! Harmony Within Workshop & Wolf Branch Sink Basin Tour
Wekiva Wellness Event: Unlock the Harmony Within Workshop
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Our first in a new Wekiva Wellness event series, the Unlock the Harmony Within Workshop was a great success! It was a transformative experience interconnecting biology, nature, and sound meditation held at Katie’s Landing.
Valencia biology professor Jamie Prusak explained how the impact of the serene beauty of nature can unlock a peacefulness within us. Then participants immersed themselves in the healing power of sound through meditation with the certified sound healer, Shin’nai. Attendees rediscovered their connection with nature and nurtured their inner peace and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of sound. The beautiful sunset, warm-light glow on the river and the sound of birds and singing bowls made for a lovely and peaceful gathering. A beautiful journey of self-discovery and connection with the living world around.
We look forward to announcing the next Wekiva Wellness event soon!
Attendees enjoyed a symphony of biology, nature, and sound, guiding them towards inner harmony and vitality. Image by Michelle J
Wolf Branch Sink Basin Tour
Saturday, May 11, 2024 About 10 people representing the Lake County Conservation Council and Friends of the Wekiva River hiked Wolf Branch Preserve on Saturday, as guests of the Lake County Water Authority. Wolf Branch creek flows through the preserve and into a sinkhole which connects to our aquifer. The Lake County Water Authority acquired this property years ago and protects it by allowing only guided tours through it.
The Wolf Branch Sink Basin in Lake County consists of the Wolf Branch Creek, its drainage system, and the actual Sink. Wolf Branch drains a 4.94 square mile area and directly recharges the Upper Floridian aquifer through the Wolf Branch Sink.
The headwaters of the Wolf Branch Basin are near The Lakes of Mount Dora and The Mount Dora County Club. The Sink is South of State Road 46 and South of the railroad Track. The basin morphology is characterized by karst terrain, with closed depressions which provide intermittent surface-water storage. Wetlands, mostly in the lower third of the basin, also provide surface water storage. This underground movement of water moves to recharge the Wekiva River and Springs.
Development within the Wolf Branch drainage system is an obvious negative factor for the sink. As traffic increases on SR 46, it increases the potential for contamination of the aquifer from accidental spills and runoff. In case of a spill, surface-water storage becomes a major factor. Taking elevation into consideration, the water level at the sink could rise about 13 feet before outflow would occur to the South, but much of the Northern basin would be flooded at this water level. Worst case scenario, a large spill causing the Sink to be blocked for containment would require 570 acre-ft of storage in 30 days. The change in the terrain from development interferes with the natural surface water movement. Past and current development has already affected the drainage system.
Mt Dora has passed a resolution to help protect the sink. They are wanting to adopt changes to their Comprehensive Plan to support the Resolution. Lake county is being asked to do the same. With Lake County’s cooperation, a request can be sent to St Johns to have the Wolf Branch Sink and the wetlands abutting the Wolf Branch Creek as a critical natural wetland ecosystem in accordance with Section 373.036(2)(e) Florida Statutes.
Photos by Mike C. and Cindy N.
The small waterfall just upstream from Wolf Branch Sink, filmed in November 2021. Video by Marty P.