Maria Sanchez Lake

Improvements Continue

What is now known as Maria Sanchez Lake was known as Maria Sanchez Creek prior to the 1880s. Originally, it was a marshy saltwater tidal creek branching from the Matanzas River which meandered north along what is now Cordova Street to beyond King Street. Bridge Street which runs east and west was aptly named because a bridge crossed the creek at that point.

Heth Canfield, a local developer and president of the St. Augustine Improvement Company, petitioned the city during the 1880s to dredge the creek to create the Maria Sanchez Lake and fill-in the wetlands area. He did this in conjunction with Henry Flagler who then began the construction of the Hotel Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College) and the Alcazar Hotel which is now City Hall and the Lightner Museum.

The lake has undergone many changes since its creation in the 1880s. In late 2000, the city began outlining a beautification project to restore the lake’s banks. As dialogue with property owners on South, St. George, Washington, and Cordova streets continued, it became apparent by city staff that the project should also include environmental concerns. Discussions with the neighbors brought to the forefront the regular algal blooms which killed fish in the sensitive lake and the reasons why these blooms occurred.

Staff explained to the neighbors that when the lake becomes warmer, it can hold less dissolved oxygen which fish need to survive, thus causing the fish kills typical of the hot summer months. It was also explained that some of the problems could be related to fertilizer runoff from surrounding homes. Staff came up with a planned phased project for restoration of the lake to a healthier and more environmentally stable condition.

Weir at south side of lake along South St.

Thanks to a grant given in 2006 by the St. Johns River Water Management District, a weir gate replaced the spill dam that had been in place on South St. for many years. The weir was installed in part to stabilize the water flow to reduce flooding and included two water level sensors—one for the lake and one for the salt marsh south of the lake. Dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature sensors were installed for the lake only. The system is remotely controlled and relays information about the marsh and the lake’s health to a computer in City Hall. The system is monitored daily by the city engineering division. (To see story, click here.)

Also, in 2006 through a city grant, the neighborhood installed three benches in Warden Park and along the shoreline overlooking the lake. (To see story, click here.)

In 2008 the Buckingham Smith Assisted Living Facility which is located in the neighborhood, joined the Adopt-a-Waterbody program through the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Watershed Action Volunteer Program. The facility assisted with a lake clean-up.

Bulk head along St. George St.

More recently, this spring the city constructed a three-foot high concrete bulkhead along both the east and west sides of the lake to stabilize the receding shoreline. The bulkhead added up to about a total of 1,600 feet long. Also, a 0.3 acre wetland area was created and marsh grasses such as spartina and black mangrove were planted on the exposed shores of the lake.

Removal of silt on the north and south areas of the lake is in the near future and bars are currently being designed for the marsh side of the bridge to prevent manatees from entering the lake and becoming trapped.

With the ongoing progress of completely restoring the lake, the public and neighbors are reminded to limit fertilizer on their lawns in the areas around the lake to prohibit possible detrimental runoff; dispose of trash and debris in proper receptacles; and dispose of animal droppings properly. No fishing and swimming signs are posted and both activities are prohibited.

The neighborhood, along with bikers, walkers, visitors and the City of St. Augustine are all proud of the improvements at this historical lake and want it to remain healthy and beautiful for future generations.

Facts about Maria Sanchez Lake

• 1707.92’ – average length
• 213.896’ – average width
• 365,317 – square footage
• 3’ – average depth
• 8,197,719 – total gallons of water
• 8.4 – number of acres

Bridge Street in photo courtesy of the St. Augustine Historical Society

looking south over Maria Sanchez Creek in 1882.

For more information about Maria Sanchez Lake, the phased project, or the Adopt-a-Waterbody program, please call Public Works at 825.1040.

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