EFFECTS OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES ON THE AQUATIC BIOTA OF THREE FLORIDA RIVERS.

Aquatic communities were studied at three bridge sites in Florida rivers to determine whether bridge design features have any adverse impacts on biota. Construction methods were considered where information was available. Significant alteration of the aquatic community occurred at one bridge site. Adverse impacts on the aquatic biota were attributed to bridge design and construction methods. Construction practices rather than bridge design were found to have potentially adverse impacts on the biota at a second site. At the remaining site, only minor disturbance of the aquatic community was detected. The paper suggests ways of minimizing impacts on aquatic communities.