The largest successful river restoration project in history is complete!
On Thursday, July 29, 2021, The Everglades Foundation joined leaders from the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and many others who have contributed throughout the years to complete the nearly 30-year restoration of the Kissimmee River.
Back in the 1960s the once meandering Kissimmee River, was channeled and nearly halved in length. Immediately the collapse of the ecosystem was evident with the loss of the bass fishery and the disappearance of birds like snowy egrets and white ibis that once filled the skies.
Today the Kissimmee River basin is meandering across the upper Everglades as it once did before. With that the fishery is returning and the wading birds are coming back.
As we celebrate the completion of the Kissimmee River restoration project, we can see that restoration works and this is just the start of ribbon cuttings to follow. The continued need for both federal and state funding for the 68 critical projects of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is evident – ecosystem restoration works.
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