Kissmmee River Basin - The Northern Everglades: Kissimmee River with SFWMD first day

Clyde and Elam

Clyde and Elam Stoltzfus are embarking

on another exciting journey with a film

on the Kissimmee River Basin: the

Northern Everglades. We are excited to

once again be a part of educating the

people of Florida about their state, its

beautiful environment, and the wonderful

success of this restoration project.

To keep track of the progress of

the film check out:

http://www.northerneverglades.com

THE GUYS

Lawrence Glenn

Director Kissimmee Division SFWMD

Brent Anderson

Environmental Scientist/Herpetolgoist SFWMD

Clyde

William Graft

Communications SFWMD

Elam Stoltzfus

Film Maker and Producer

ABOUT THE

KISSIMMEE RIVER BASIN

Most residents of Florida think of the Everglades

as the "river of grass" located in South Florida.

However, the Everglades ecosystem begins

far north near Disney World and flows south,

170 miles, to the "river of grass" and the mangrove

islands. The headwaters of the Everglades

ecosystem impacts the entire ecosystem and is

critical to Florida's biodiversity and fresh

water resources.

Located in the center of the state, the

Kissimmee River watershed basin consists

of an upper and lower basin and is subject

of one of the largest river restorations projects

in the world. It is also one of the most

successful restorations, resulting in scientists

coming from all over the world to learn about

the techniques in successful restoration of rivers

and floodplains.

The Upper Basin is approximately 1600 square

miles in area and is comprised of numerous

lakes that historically were connect by river

and slough systems. The Lower Basin consists

of approximately 750 square miles and extends

south from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee.

The historic river meandered approximately

103 miles within a 1-2 miles wide flood plain.

Dredging the Kissimmee Canal (C-38) in 1960

HISTORY

After several hurricanes and very wet weather

events, Congress authorized, in 1954, the

Kissimmee River Flood Control Project to

provide flood protection to the upper basin,

drain the river flood plain for agricultural

purposes and reduce flooding.

Between 1962 and 1971 the Kissimmee River

was converted from a natural system to a

channelized system (C-38 Canal) with a series of

impounded reservoirs controlled by water control

structures. Additional structures and canals were

constructed in the upper basin to allow regulation

of water flow into the now channelized system.

As a natural river, the Kissimmee supported a

mosaic of intermixed vegetation types,

productive fisheries, and large and diverse

populations of waterfowl and wading birds.

The flood control canal resulted in the loss of

approximately 19,772acres of wetlands causing

a significant loss of wetland habitat and damage

to the ecosystem functions. This caused drastic

declines in wintering waterfowl, wading birds

and game fish populations.

This highly successful engineering project was

decried for its environmental impacts even before

it was completed in 1971.

An environmental study was completed in

1971 that scientifically proved the damage the

canal/ditch was going to create. This study created

a movement to restore the Kissimmee River

back to its natural flow.

It took five years for the state to pass a

resolution to restore hydrology to the Kissimmee

River, however the resolution failed to show any

economic reason for changing the river back to

its original flow, therefore the resolution stalled

and nothing happened. In 1976-1985 a study was

undertaken to determine if there was any economic

reason to change the flow of the river to its

original condition. The study proved a good one

and the resolution moved forward.

Lawrence explaining the ecosystem

and the restoration to Elam

and Clyde

CURRENT HISTORY

PHASE ONE

The first major phase of canal backfilling began

in June 1999. During this phase approximately

7.5 miles of canal were backfilled, 1.25 miles of

new river channel were recarved, 15 continuous

miles of river were reconnected, and one water

control structure was removed. This phase of the

project is expected to reclaim approximately

11,000 acres of wetland. This phase is COMPLETE.

District scientist have already documented dramatic

evidence that the first phase is working. Continuous

flows from the upper basin have allowed water to

again flow through river channels and spill out

naturally onto the floodplain. Organic sediments are

being flushed from once-stagnant river channels, birds

and native vegetation are recovering, dissolved oxygen

levels are improving and aquatic vegetation no longer

clogs river channels.

The Kissmmee Canal is the area on

this photo that looks like a dirt runway.

To the right is the original river. When

they diverted the water into the original

river it was necessary to dredge that

area because of all the stagnant growth

clogging the original river.

In the distance you can see the old canal

In the foreground is the "real" river

Kissimmee River meandering with

areas where the flood plain has water

The flood plain during rainy season

PHASE TWO & THREE

This phase will backfill approximately eight miles of

canal, recarve three miles of river channel, reconnect

17 miles of continuous river channel, demolish a

second water control structure and reclaim approximately

8,000 acres of wetlands.

This phase is dependent upon a number of

structural modifications and improvements,

the acquisition of needed land. These projects will

ensure flood protection for the adjacent

communities that project objectives are met.

The phase is almost COMPLETE.

OTHER RESTORATION COMPONENTS

Full restoration of the Kissimmee River and

floodplain is dependent on the Headwaters

Revitalization Project. The purpose is to change

the way water is regulated in the upper Basin to

allow for continuous flows to the restored

portions of the river. It will provide for increased

water storage capacity in lakes Kissimmee,

Hatchineha, Cypress, and Tiger and provide for

a more flexible management of lake water needs.

For more information:

South Florida Water Management District

800 - 432-2045 (tool free in Florida)

561 - 686-8800

www.sfwmd

the information contained in

these paragraphs are from the

South Florida Water Management District

The guys...

Getting the air boats ready

Brent and Clyde

Kissimmee River - restored

Into the flood plain

Discussing which way to go

Brent under the dark cloth checking

out the image in the camera

Oak Creek Marsh 2

Bill, Lawrence and Elam

A storm in the distance

Heading down an oxbow off the main river

Clyde and me sitting in the front

seat of Brent's air boat taking

in the view.

Heading out for the oak hammock

Clyde saw from a distance

In search of the oak hammock

Getting closer to the oak hammock

Niki making

my way through the grass...it was

an adventurous fun walk.

Brent & Clyde discussing photography

as they wait for the right light and

no wind.

It took awhile before Clyde was able

to capture this image. Either there

was sun with wind, or no sun with

no wind...very difficult to photograph

Spanish moss when using a slow

shutter speed and they are blowing

in the wind!

Clyde photographing marsh

Loftin Run 1

The light wouldn't cooperate for the image

that is before this one, so before

he took the above photo he swung his

camera around and took this image. The

light was overcast and it was perfect

lighting for what this image required.

Loftin Run 3

In the center of the image sitting

on a branch is an assemblage of

vultures. They are such fun creatures with

such great personalities that I was glad

Clyde finally got them in a photograph!

A late blooming Wild Pink Hibiscus

I am assuming this is a hibiscus seed

because most of the blooms were

gone on the wild hibiscus and all that

remained were these.

Making our way out of the oak

hammock

Out of the oak hammock

Clyde and Niki

Brent and Clyde

Clyde photographing Loftin Run

Loftin Run 2

Heading for home with the hopes we don't

get wet! We did get rained on, but it was just

a pleasant amount of water to cool us down.

We had a great day with great people in an

amazing environment. It is miraculous at

what nature can do to repair itself if just

given a chance!

photos by:

Niki Butcher

Elam Stoltzfus - www.liveoakproductiongroup.com

Brent Anderson - www.banature.com