Lake Alice and the interconnected creeks, ponds, and wetlands that feed into it are vital natural resources that not only serve as defining features of the University of Florida campus landscape, but also as a critical role in the University of Florida’s stormwater system. The protection of these natural resources is a cornerstone of the University’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship supporting campus safety, infrastructure functionality, and the long-term protection of these natural resources. Current conditions indicate that the stormwater system is operating at roughly 40 percent of the ecological performance expected of a healthy wetland—reinforcing the need for comprehensive corrective action.

The Lake Alice Watershed Management Plan establishes a comprehensive framework for the restoration and protection of the Lake Alice watershed. The plan outlines recommendations to address aging stormwater infrastructure, erosion, water quality, and habitat degradation while guiding both short and long-term management strategies for this natural feature. By aligning ecological restoration with critical infrastructure rehabilitation, the projects identified in this plan will not only restore ecological function to our campus landscape, but also support a safe, functional, and vibrant campus environment for generations to come.  UF is moving forward with several critical projects at Graham Woods and Jennings Creek which represent a proactive investment in our campus safety, environmental restoration, and long-term resilience of the University of Florida’s stormwater system. 

Graham Woods Project Overview

The Graham Woods and Graham Pond system is a critical stormwater conveyance zone within the 64.2-acre Lake Alice watershed. This project has been identified as a “Critical Project” in the Lake Alice Watershed Study as a result of failing infrastructure, extensive erosion, and documented life-safety concerns. Over time, this area has seen increasingly concentrated stormwater flows which have caused severe channel erosion, bank instability, tree loss, water quality degradation, and hazard to public safety. 

To address these concerns, planned improvements in Graham Woods will stabilize the channel and surrounding slopes, reconstruct failing stormwater outlets, and upgrade damaged infrastructure to reduce runoff and sediment export. The project introduces a Cascading Wet Pond System composed of two interconnected upper ponds designed to slow stormwater flows and improve water quality. Removal of invasive vegetation and replanting with native species will strengthen long-term habitat health through the establishment of healthy littoral zones and shallow shoreline areas with emergent and submerged native vegetation. This native vegetation will help reduce shoreline erosion, filter stormwater runoff and enhance water quality through the absorption of excess nutrients. 

In addition to ecological and infrastructure improvements, this project will also support safer pedestrian access and provide opportunities for ecological education, while aligning with updated state stormwater performance standards and long-term watershed management goals. Collectively, these improvements will reduce erosion and slope failure risks, improve water quality entering Graham Pond and Lake Alice, and restore the ecological function of these impacted wetland and forest zones. 

To pursue an ecologically responsible and long-term resolution to these issues, there will be noticeable impacts to existing vegetation within the project area. A significant portion of the impacted trees have been identified as exotic or invasive species, and many others are structurally compromised due to prolonged erosion and stormwater stress. While the removal of invasive species remains a priority and heritage trees have been preserved where feasible, removal of native trees and lowerlying vegetation is necessary due to extensive erosion damage, instability, and life-safety concerns. In these conditions, trees are at an increased risk of failure, particularly during heavy rainfall or storm events. Removing structurally compromised trees will reduce potential hazard to nearby pedestrian areas and infrastructure. The project includes a comprehensive mitigation and replanting plan that will restore the natural ecosystem using native species suited to long-term watershed health, and the project outcomes will create conditions that support improved tree health and the purposeful reestablishment of native vegetation over time. 

Comparable stormwater restoration projects across Florida demonstrate the need for combining infrastructure upgrades with ecological restoration efforts. For example, Sweetwater Wetlands Park in Gainesville utilizes wetland-based treatment systems to restore the natural hydrology and water quality of the area, while Depot Park integrates engineered stormwater ponds with public green space to reduce pollutants entering downstream waters.Similarly, restoration of Alligator Creek in Sarasota utilizes natural channel design, bank stabilization, and habitat restoration to address erosion and enhance ecological function of the area. These projects exemplify how stabilizing conveyance systems, restoring native vegetation, and improving stormwater treatment can foster safer, more resilient ecosystems in the long term.