Historic Structures    

Marine Laboratory  

Other Supporting Facilities

• Salt water tank and running seawater system.  The pump and intake for the seawater system are on the dock in the basin.  Water is pumped uphill to a saltwater tank from where it flows through water tables in the laboratory or into outside tanks.

• Pump house and chlorinator for drinking water supply.

• Three utility sheds used for general storage of supplies.  Tractor shed for lawnmower.

• Docks, seawall and dry dock with rail ties and winch (marine railway).

• Outdoor covered table with holding tanks, running seawater, and wood platform (aquarium shed).  Two picnic tables.

• Shop with extensive hardware, tools, plumbing supplies, portable generator, battery charger, large oxygen tank, pumps, drill press, two 20 hp outboard motors, one 60 hp outboard motor, household supplies, etc. Outside shop storage shed with ladders, ropes, nets, pipe screen.

• Covered storage area at end of shop, with 55 gal drum outboard oil, screening, nets.

• Generator building with kilo pak and ohan 30 EK propane generators and 55 gal drum lubricant.

• Cistern storage tank: not potable; used for rinsing gear (rainwater tank).

• Solar-powered outdoor lights: ten with battery.

• 100 gal gas tank with hand pump for filling outboard motors.

• Docking facilities at Cedar Key (mainland), supplied with water, electricity and garbage pick-up.

Nearby and Related Facilities

Clark Island.  This is a 8 ha island, 4.3 km from Seahorse Key and separated from the mainland by a marsh that is approximately 60-70 m across.  The island is owned by the University of Florida and can be used for field studies that complement those at Seahorse Key.  The shoreline is marsh on the south and west sides, oyster bars on the east side, and a large grass marsh with a few mangroves are to the north.  The island interior is about 5 m high with scrub vegetation and a few pine trees.  Several palm trees, cedars and some oak scrub occur on the south point.  The north side has a grove of large cedar trees and an area of broken shells that might be the remains of a shell mound.  There are no human made structures on the island.

Department of Natural Resources Marine Facility at Cedar Key.   The Marine Resources Division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) established a field station in Cedar Key in September of 1995.  This facility is located on state land adjacent to a salt marsh along the causeway into the city and is administered by the Florida Marine Research Institute in St. Petersburg.  Facilities here include a large classroom with audio-visual capabilities (capacity about 50); a wet laboratory with fume hood, sinks, balances, freezer, and splash table; a dry laboratory with compound and dissecting microscopes; a small planning room with map tables; offices for staff and a visiting scientist, all with computers; a small conference room; and outdoor shed for field gear, boats or vehicles.  These facilities are potentially available for use in cooperative programs that might involve the DEP.  

Lodging Facilities at Cedar Key.  Numerous motels and bed and breakfast inns are situated in Cedar Key and can accommodate visitors to the area.  Visitors who might stay in Cedar Key and possibly hold meetings there would have easy access to Seahorse Key by boat.  Alternatively, facilities at Cedar Key can accommodate overflow of groups that might be too large for present overnight lodging at Seahorse Key.