Since 1999, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has been working with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that are in charge of all of the Kissimmee River’s construction projects. The completed project will backfill 22 miles of the C-38 canal and restore 43 miles of meandering river. Check out the Kissimmee River Restoration – Construction Map - for project details.
After 22 years, multiple construction phases, administrative changes, funding challenges and hurricanes, the US Army Corps of Engineers has finally completed all of the construction projects as part of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project! CES worked with the SFWMD to co-host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration that was held at Riverwoods Field Lab on July 29, 2021. We hosted over 100 state and federal VIP”s and guests to celebrate this national accomplishment. Many scientists and engineers that had worked on the project, as well as teachers and students were in attendance. Guests learned about the success of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project and enjoyed an airboat ride on the restored river and floodplain.
Please check out our ~1 minute summary video:
Highlights from the Kissimmee River Restoration Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - July 29,2021 - YouTube
Or view the full 43 min ceremonial video:
Kissimmee River Restoration Project Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony - YouTube
Chauncey Gaus,SFWMD Governing Board Chairman | VIPs cutting ribbon |
Colonel Andrew Kelly, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Shannon Estenoz , Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks |
The restored Kissimmee River and floodplain flow south. The S-69 Weir serves as the downstream terminus of the C-38 canal backfill, where it directs floodplain sheetflow back into the C-38 canal towards Lake Okeechobee.
For more information about the SFWMD’s Kissimmee River Restoration construction progress check online: https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/kissimmee-river