Did you know the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) works year-round to advance and expedite the largest wetland restoration effort in the world?
Together with our local, state, and federal partners, the SFWMD continues to make significant progress to restore America’s Everglades, revitalize our wetland ecosystems and protect South Florida’s water resources.
In recognition of World Wetlands Day, we are highlighting the historic momentum that continues to be made for the resiliency and restoration of South Florida's water resources. Recent restoration successes include:
- Began filling the first cell of the 6,500-acre Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Stormwater Treatment Area. When complete, the EAA Reservoir Project will preserve our freshwater resources by reducing damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. This project will also help recreate the historic flow of water south to recharge our aquifers, nourish the Everglades, and support the health of Florida Bay.
- Completion of a new, massive pump station for the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir Project that will move water from the Caloosahatchee River (C-43 Canal) into an 18-square-mile reservoir and reduce harmful flows of water from reaching the downstream Caloosahatchee Estuary.
- Completion of the S-709 Pump Station, a key component of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. The project will restore freshwater flows to southern Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park while improving salinity distribution near the shore.
- Broke ground on the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) North, which will restore water levels in the northern portion of the Central Everglades and improve our water resource resiliency in South Florida.
- Completion of the Taylor Slough Flow Improvement Project in Everglades National Park, which will increase the flow of clean, freshwater through the park and move more water south to Florida Bay, where it is needed to balance salinity levels and promote ecological health.
- Completion of the ALJO Four Corners Rapid Infiltration Project, which will store excess water from the local watershed to help support the balance of fresh and salt water in the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
The State of Florida continues to make historic progress in restoring the Everglades, the world's most iconic wetland, and protecting our natural resources.
As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, we encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/Restoration to learn more about the SFWMD's work to protect and restore our water resources – now and for future generations.