Analyzing watershed conditions to guide future protections for sensitive areas within the Shingle Creek and St. Johns River basins.
Rapid growth in Central Florida continues to place pressure on watersheds that support water quality, flood protection, habitat, and downstream ecosystems.
Building on the countywide State of the Wetlands assessment, Orange County identified portions of the Shingle Creek Basin — headwaters of the Everglades system — and the St. Johns River Basin for closer evaluation. These regions contain extensive wetlands, floodplains, and natural habitats that play a critical role in regional hydrology and biodiversity.
County leaders needed to determine whether existing regulations provided sufficient protection or whether additional measures were necessary to preserve long-term watershed function. Those decisions would influence land-use policy, infrastructure planning, and environmental conditions for decades.
Drummond Carpenter analyzed ecological and hydrologic conditions across both basins to pinpoint vulnerabilities and identify opportunities for protection, including:
The study traced how these natural systems have changed over time and evaluated how they may respond to continued development pressure.
Together, these analyses gave Orange County a clearer technical basis for identifying where existing protections may fall short and where more targeted approaches should be considered.
Drummond Carpenter worked across multiple County divisions to translate the basin analysis into strategies that balance environmental protection with responsible growth.
Potential approaches evaluated included:
This animation shows model results of the flood response at Shingle Creek wetlands following major storms.
The work informed preparation of new ordinances for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.
Watersheds operate at scales that transcend individual projects or jurisdictions. Decisions made upstream can influence water quality, flooding and ecosystem health far downstream. This project shows how detailed environmental analysis can give local governments a stronger basis for decisions that will shape landscapes and water systems for generations.
By evaluating sensitive basins in detail, Drummond Carpenter helped Orange County move toward targeted protections that address real risks while allowing for responsible development.
