Seen from space, Lake Okeechobee appears to be a large, liquid heart in the center of the state. In terms of how water moves through the natural and man-made systems of the central and south Florida, the big lake is connected to almost every part of the sprawling natural and human communities that are sustained by that connection.
The connections between Lake Okeechobee and its eastern outlets, including the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon are beneficial most of the time. Rivers and estauries need regular freshwater flows to thrive. But when those flows are too great or too small, the connection can cause problems. In addition, while agricultural and urban growth and development help our communities and careers, it also can bring potential problems: increasing loss of natural systems and habitats, strains on limited water supplies and pollution.
Our cites, neighborhoods and farms cause significant changes in the timing (excess wet season flows, insufficient dry season flows), distribution, quality, and volume of freshwater entering these interconnected systems.
This test cell is a critical part of Everglades Restoration – an Acceler8 project that will store excess water flows and thereby better protect the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon, which can be harmed by too much or too little fresh or salt water at the wrong times.
In 1981, the Florida Legislature enacted a program known as "Save Our Rivers (SOR)", and created the Water Management Lands Trust Fund. The trust fund receives revenues from the documentary stamp tax and is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection.
The SOR Act enables the water management districts to acquire lands necessary for water management, water supply, and the conservation and protection of water resources.
The legislature also enacted Preservation 2000 in 1990. That act also funds SOR land acquisition activities. Projects must meet criteria from both Preservation 2000 and Save Our Rivers.
In the Martin/St. Lucie region, the following areas are designated as Save Our Rivers areas:
Indian River Lagoon
Dupuis Reserve
South Fork St. Lucie River
North Fork St. Lucie River
Savannahs
Atlantic Ridge
Loxahatchee River North
Pal Mar, West Jupiter Wetlands
Each natural area has special features that make it unique. These wild features tomorrow depend on all of us respecting them today Please exercise reasonable caution when visiting these lands and leave no trace of your visit.
Big Cypress Basin
Lake Okeechobee Issues
