Area Map

The northern part of the Jensen Beach management area consists of several large managed mosquito impoundments (St. Lucie County impoundments 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8E and 9) and three unmanaged marshes (St. Lucie County Impoundments 10A, 10B, and 12 (= Martin County Impoundment 1A). Dominant wetland vegetation consists mainly of mangroves with some large areas (several acres) of saltwort on impoundment 10A. Impoundments 6 and 10A both contain areas of uplands which support both exotic (Schinus terebinthifolius and Casuarina sp.) and native tropical and sub- tropical hammock vegetation. The 1989 freeze caused extensive damage to many of the mangroves in this management area but many plants have recovered and where mortality occurred, mangrove recruitment is high.

All of the mosquito impoundments in this management area have multiple culverts which increase tidal replication and water interchange with the adjacent Indian River during unmanaged periods. One of the unmanaged impoundments (10A) is breached by a 100 foot channel which allows for open exchange between the estuary and the marsh at all times. The Indian River adjacent to the Jensen Beach management area supports large seagrass beds and a relatively diverse estuarine fauna. The beach areas to the east of the mosquito impoundments serve as nesting areas for sea turtles.

Development impacts are high in this area with a nuclear power plant occupying part of the northern zone of the management area and considerable condominium and commercial development covering large parts of Hutchinson Island south of Impoundment 10A. Also within this area are some travel trailer resorts which have been built on dredge and fill areas in the Indian River. A golf course is located on the uplands on the northern part of Impoundment 10A. Two causeways connect the barrier island with the mainland south of the Martin County Line. A large portion of impoundments 10A and 9 and several public beach access are the only publicly owned land in the St. Lucie County portion of this management area. This property, coupled with the approximately 450 acres of wetland owned by Florida Power and Light are the only major tracts presently under protection from development.

Area Map