Date of Award

7-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences

First Advisor

Robert Weaver

Second Advisor

Paul Cosentino

Third Advisor

Ronnal Reichard

Fourth Advisor

Richard Aronson

Abstract

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has hosted an extensive array of plants and animals throughout its lifetime, having one of the greatest species’ diversity of all North American estuaries. In addition to the variety of marine wildlife that is supported by the IRL, the system is also a recreational and economic resource for the counties bordering it. The biological integrity of the IRL, however, has shown evidence of decline in the last few decades, due to impaired water quality caused by pollution and disruptions to natural circulation patterns. If far-reaching changes are made to repair the water quality of the lagoon, environmental degradation would be reversed; the number of annual visitors to the IRL region would increase, along with the annual Return on Investment of the economic value of the IRL system. The purpose of this paper is to provide a complete engineering design of a feasible, short term pipe and pump system that will allow for ocean water to be introduced into the Banana River, along with a cost analysis of the system and permitting procedures for implementation. The project goal is to add a consistent flowrate of 17.7 ft3/s (0.5 m3/s) to the sub-basin for one year to aid in a broader study on the physical, chemical, and biological impacts of added inflow. To accomplish this goal, the pipe and pump system will be located inside of Port Canaveral on the south side of the channel just east of Canaveral Lock. The complete engineering design of the system will include the design of the pipeline itself, the recommended pump to be used, the design of a ramp for vehicle crossing, the design of an inflow structure where the pump intake and drive unit will be located, and the design of an outflow structure where the water will flow out of the system and into the Banana River. Results from this study will aid in the flushing of the Banana River, creating a lagoon that has improved water quality for a greater survival of marine life and for human activities such as swimming and fishing. The most efficient pipe inner diameter is calculated to be 20 inches (0.51 meters) in order to minimize head losses while also maintaining a feasible height for vehicle crossing. The axial flow MWI Hydraflo HAC316 Hydraulically Driven Submersible Pump fitted with a 20-inch discharge is chosen to meet the flowrate needs, given the pipe diameter and total head loss. The pipe inflow is designed with a horizontal pump orientation, ensuring the intake has a clearance that will not allow for sediment entrainment. An inflow cage structure with screening is designed to be built around the pipe to protect manatees and other marine life from injury. Finally, an outflow structure is designed with a riprap pad to allow water to flow into the Banana River sub-basin without eroding the bank. The complete engineering design of the pipe and pump system has been adopted by Tetra Tech, and the adopted design has been submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers for review. The total first cost for implementation of the pipe and pump system is estimated to be $511,630.01, the total cost during the span of one year is estimated to be $47,578.63, and the total cost for decommissioning is estimated to be $79,293.99. The overall project cost, including first costs, annual costs, and decommissioning costs, is estimated to be $638,502.63. Prior to construction, federal and state permits must be obtained to ensure adverse impacts are minimal and mitigated for. Alternative design options for a long-term flushing project include the construction of a weir structure or the integration of a weir into the Canaveral Lock gates.

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