Contact

Dr. Mike Shirley - Michael.Shirley@dep.state.fl.us
GTM Reserve
Environmental Education Center
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
904-823-4500
904-825-6829 fax

Description of Site

The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve demonstrates examples of several regionally significant ecological communities including freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, mixed wetland hardwoods, pine flatwoods, long-leaf pine, xeric oak, upland hardwood forests, and wet prairie. The property provides a buffer to about 8 miles of Pellicer Creek’s shoreline, which helps to improve the water quality and the stormwater filtering function of the creek. Pellicer Creek’s salt marsh habitat is considered to be one of the most pristine estuarine/riverine systems along Florida’s east coast.

Established

Pellicer Creek was designated an aquatic preserve in 1970 for the primary purpose of preserving the biological resources of the area’s salt marshes and associated waters.

Location

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve is located in north Flagler County approximately 16 miles south of the city of St. Augustine, and lies on the southern shore of Pellicer Creek from the St. Johns County line to the confluence with the Matanzas River. Faver-Dykes State Park lies on the northern shore of Pellicer Creek.

Size

The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve covers approximately 505 acres of sovereignty submerged lands.

Watershed

Pellicer Creek is part of the northern watershed in the Upper East Coastal Basin. The majority of the watershed in this basin is drained by relatively small creeks or branches. The Hulett, Pringle, Stevens, Dave, and Schoolhouse Branches all drain into the aquatic preserve from the west. Styles Creek flows south out of Pellicer Creek, near the Matanzas River. From the Matanzas River lagoonal area, the flow of water eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Matanzas Inlet.

In the coastal area covering St. Johns and Flagler Counties, three major estuarine rivers drain the region: the Tolomato River (north), the Matanzas River (middle), and the Halifax River (south). Surface-water hydrology in this area is influenced by the interaction of the brackish water of the Matanzas River with the freshwater inputs from tidal branches, and overland sheetflow. The results are wetlands that provide valuable wildlife habitat and play an important role in maintaining the levels and quality of surface water.

Habitat

Aquatic: saltwater marsh estuary, brackish tidal creek, sandbars, shallow bank, submerged bottoms, tidal (mud) flats, freshwater marsh, wet prairie.

Uplands: pine flatwoods, long-leaf pine, xeric oak, upland hardwood forests, sand ridges, coastal dunes.

Ecological Importance

The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve was designated for the primary purpose of preserving the biological (estuarine) resources of the area’s salt marshes and associated waters. The estuarine marsh provides important habitat for a diversity of birdlife, and nursery area for many juvenile species of fish and invertebrates. The expansive views of undisturbed salt marsh portrays one of the most pristine estuarine/riverine systems along Florida’s east coast providing exceptional biological and aesthetic value to the state. Thus, the Department of Natural Resources designated Pellicer Creek as a State Canoe Trail. Although Pellicer Creek represents one of the smaller aquatic preserves in the state’s aquatic preserve system, this area is truly unique from the standpoint of the "current" minimal degree of human intrusions.

Rare / Endangered Species

State listings are taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or as with plants Florida Department of Agriculture.  Federal listings are taken from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. E= Endangered; T= Threatened; T (s/a)= Threatened due to similarity in appearance; SSC= Species of Special Concern; UR= Under review; n/a= information not available or no designation listed

Geomorphic Features

The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve is located in the lower part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The coastal region occupies a physiographic division known as the Coastal Lowlands, which are low in elevation and poorly drained. Drainage in this coastal strip area between the St. Johns River basin and the Atlantic Ocean is primarily into lagoons, formed by barrier islands. Pellicer Creek contributes to this drainage by flowing into the Matanzas River, which is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This river can better be described as a coastal lagoon with access to the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Matanzas Inlet, located approximately 2.5 miles north of Pellicer Creek. The long, narrow chain of barrier islands outside the preserve, acts as the first line of defense for the mainland against storm surges. Inlets have formed along these islands during storms, forming temporary shallow inlets that later closed due to siltation. Human intervention of the existing inlets has allowed saline water to mix with fresh water, creating the estuarine environment that now exists.

Archaeological Features

No known archaeological or historical sites actually occur within the boundaries of the preserve.

Uses

Public/recreational:

Pellicer Creek is designated as a State Canoe Trail, thereby promoting a complementary form of boating recreation within the preserve. Faver-Dykes State Park provides easy access to Pellicer Creek where fishing and crabbing are popular recreational activities. Extremely low tides and exposed mud flats make the area unsuitable for active sports such as water skiing or swimming. The park provides a boat launching area and fishing dock. Also, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, bicycling, camping, birdwatching, nature study, photography, and bank fishing are other available recreational activities.

Management Status

The preserve is managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas. In addition, close coordination will be required with the various state, federal, and regional agencies that oversee other environmental programs and regulations which apply to the lands and waters associated with the aquatic preserve.

The major objective of the aquatic preserve management program is to ensure the maintenance of essentially natural conditions in Pellicer Creek. Management will be directed to ensure public recreational opportunities as well as, assuring the continued propagation of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

References

Management Plan for Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

SJRWMD Guide to Recreational Lands