Industrial Park Drainage Ditch On Bayberry Road, Southeastern Duval County, Florida

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    Working from a topographic map and information provided by Dr. Dean Dobberfuhl of the St. Johns River Water Management District (Palatka), Pomacea paludosa (six dead shells, egg capsules, and one live 37 mm. specimen) were found in an urban area of southeastern Duval County on July 9, 2005. Street level, the location is a concrete culvert under Bayberry Road immediately adjacent to a J&M Family Enterprises  warehouse in an industrial park. The culvert and associated a deep drainage ditch are but a small part of a larger drainage system which drains water discharged from buildings in the industrial park, storm water run-off from the aforementioned, a nearby major highway (Phillips Highway), and at least one nearby shopping center. Other aquatic species seen in the area (all dead) included Utterbackia imbecillis (Say, 1829) Paper Pondshell, Viviparus georgianus (I. Lea, 1834) Banded Mysterysnail, and Planorbella duryi (Wetherby, 1879) Seminole Rams-horn. Considering the general lack of water in the drainage ditch at a time of high water elsewhere as well as its apparent poor quality, it's surprising that Pomacea can survive and maintain a breeding population at this Spartan location. The other aquatic species found may not be so hardy. Although not confirmed, the drainage ditch is believed to ultimately flow into the Big Pottsburg Creek Watershed.

    A return visit was made to the area on September 27, 2005 and no further signs of living Pomacea were seen. However, since the July visit, vegetation had run amok in the drainage ditch making anything but a cursory search impossible.

Culvert And Drainage Ditch (30.22624N 081.58437W)

Pomacea Egg Clutches Deposited On Culvert

Drainage Ditch Looking "downstream"

Live Pomacea Found Near Culvert

Dead Pomacea Found Downstream Of Culvert