In recognition of World Water Day, the South Florida Water Management District is highlighting the significant progress that continues to be made to protect South Florida’s water resources and increase storage capacity throughout the region.
DID YOU KNOW: The District continues to advance and accelerate key projects that are improving water quality and the ecological health of South Florida’s natural resources, while ensuring an adequate water supply for our communities.
PROTECTING OUR WATER RESOURCES: Since 2019, we have celebrated more than 80 project completions, ground breakings and major milestones on Everglades restoration projects. These projects are improving the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and making a real difference for Florida’s environment.
INCREASING STORAGE CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE REGION: Together with our local, state, and federal partners, the District continues to advance and accelerate key projects that protect our water resources and increase water storage.
In July 2025, a landmark agreement was signed by the State of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Army to accelerate Everglades restoration, including the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration—the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.
Restoration projects like the EAA Reservoir will increase water storage capacity and make clean water available for beneficial use longer into the dry season and provide more protection from drier conditions and droughts.
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS CONTINUES: The District is committed to advancing restoration projects that support the ecological health of the Greater Everglades and continue the significant momentum for Florida’s water resources. Recent successes and milestones include:
✅ Celebrated the completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in Collier County. Spanning 55,000 acres between Alligator Alley and Tamiami Trail, this restoration project has successfully restored the natural flow of water to the region, revitalizing wetlands and improving overall water quality.
✅ Celebrated the completion of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project, a major CERP project. This project improves the health of Biscayne Bay and aids in wetland rehydration — building coastal resiliency and improving water quality in this area of Miami-Dade County.
✅ Broke ground on the EAA Reservoir Inflow Pump Station in Palm Beach County, which will have the capability to move approximately 3 billion gallons of water per day from Lake Okeechobee into the EAA Reservoir.
✅ Broke ground on the second phase of the Lake Hicpochee Project in Glades County, a key component of the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.
✅ Broke ground on the Blue Shanty Flow Way in Miami-Dade County, a vital system that will deliver clean water south across Tamiami Trail and into Florida Bay.
✅ Start-up of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir in Hendry County. The C-43 Reservoir will hold 55 billion gallons of water and reduce harmful flows of water to the Caloosahatchee Estuary from Lake Okeechobee and the local watershed during the wet season and provide beneficial freshwater flows to the estuary during the dry season.
LEARN MORE: We encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/Restoration to learn more about the comprehensive effort to restore America's Everglades and the District's continued work to safeguard South Florida's water resources – now and for future generations.