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Florida River's 103-Mile Bend Restored After Decades
9 Oct
Summary
- Kissimmee River was straightened into a flood-control canal.
- Restoration project aimed to fill 22 miles of canal.
- Wetland plant coverage increased significantly after restoration.
The Kissimmee River in Florida, a 103-mile waterway, has been successfully restored after being straightened into a flood-control canal in the 1960s. This transformation, completed in stages over two decades, aimed to reverse environmental damage caused by the canalization.
Phase I of the restoration, finished in 2001, saw the filling of approximately 7.5 miles of canal, re-establishing flow to about 15 miles of the original river channel. The broader project involved filling 22 miles of the C-38 canal and restoring 44 miles of the river, re-creating over 40 square miles of vital river-floodplain ecosystem.
Scientists are continuing to monitor the river's response. Studies have shown a dramatic increase in wetland plant coverage in re-wetted areas, rising from 22-37% to 65-83% after the restoration. However, challenges remain, as invasive species like Peruvian water primrose have become dominant, highlighting the need for ongoing management.
