Historically the Kissimmee River meandered approximately 103 miles
from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee through a 1-2 mile wide
floodplain. The river and its flanking floodplain consisted of a
mosaic of wetland plant communities and supported a diverse group
of waterfowl, wading birds, fish and other wildlife. The historic
Kissimmee River was hydrologically unique among North American
river systems in that it had prolonged periods of extended
floodplain inundation.
Between 1962 and 1971, the river was channelized and two-thirds
of the historical floodplain was drained. Excavation of the canal
and placement of the spoil material destroyed one-third of the
river channel. Implementation of the Kissimmee Flood Control
project led to drastic declines in wintering waterfowl, wading bird
and game fish populations, as well as loss of ecosystem
functions.
The Kissimmee River Restoration Project was authorized by
Congress in the 1992 Water Resources Development Act. The project
will restore over 40 square miles of river/floodplain ecosystem
including 43 miles of meandering river channel and 27,000 acres of
wetlands.
Kissimmee River's current restoration efforts will return a
significant portion of the Kissimmee River to its historic riverbed
and flood plain and re-establish an environment conductive to the
fauna and flora that existed there previous to the channeling
efforts in the 1960's. To restore the ecological integrity of the
damaged ecosystem, the COE will:
- re-establish historic hydrologic conditions
- recreate the historical river/floodplain connectivity
- recreate the historic mosaic of wetland plant communities
- restore the historic biological diversity and
functionality
The project area covers 3,000 square miles, stretching from the
southern Orlando area south to Lake Okeechobee. Restoration is
divided into the Upper Basin (referred to as the Kissimmee
Headwaters Revitalization Project) and the Lower Basin (referred to
as the Kissimmee Restoration Project). The river's upper basin
includes the Upper Chain of Lakes and extends south through Lake
Kissimmee to State Road 60. The lower basin includes the area from
Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee. You will be standing at the
place where the Upper & Lower Basins meet.
To log this cache you must take two pictures of yourself with
your GPS, and answer 3 questions. Please post the pictures with
your log.
After parking at the coords shown above, go to N 27* 48.303, W
081* 11.948, and take a picture of the River as it looks after
restoration to it's natural state. Then head over to N 27* 48.097,
081* 11.892 and take a picture of the River as it has been altered
by Man.
Then email me the answers to the following questions.
1. How will the restoration of the Kissimmee River affect uses
of the River such as water supply and navigation?
2. How will the restoration of the Kissimmee River affect Lake
Okeechobee and the Everglades?
3. Estimate the width of the River's floodplain North of SR60.
Then estimate the width of the River South of the locks.
As the restoration effort proceeds, some positive changes have
been observed. Sandbars and sandy bottom are signs of improvement
in the rivers' hydrology. In formerly isolated sections of the
river, oxbows are flowing again. Emergent and shoreline vegetation
has reappeared and is thriving. Waterfowl are returning. Water
quality is improving. The project is reestablishing the physical
form of the river with its historical water levels and flows, while
ensuring existing flood protection is maintained.
