At the South Florida Water Management District, innovative engineering and sound science go hand-in-hand. From Orlando to the Florida Keys, our talented engineers are working every day to carry out our public service mission and advance projects that safeguard our water resources.
Did you know SFWMD engineers help plan, design and construct some of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in the world? These projects are making a difference for our environment and more than nine million residents of Central and Southern Florida.
In celebration of Engineers Week, we’re highlighting the major progress that continues to be made for our environment and the resiliency of our natural resources. Recent restoration successes and milestones include:
- Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Stormwater Treatment Area: Began filling the 6,500-acre 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.
- Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir Project: Completed a new, massive pump station 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.
- Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project: Broke ground on the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) Project - Cutler Wetlands Component. This project will improve the health of Biscayne Bay and will aid in wetland rehydration - building coastal resiliency and improving water quality in this area of Miami-Dade County.
- Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) North: Broke ground on this major restoration effort to restore water levels in the northern portion of the Central Everglades and improve our water resource resiliency in South Florida.
- Taylor Slough Flow Improvement Project: Completed this important 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.
- ALJO Four Corners Rapid Infiltration Project: Completed this project to store excess water from the local watershed to help support the balance of fresh and salt water in the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
Engineers play a crucial role in the SFWMD’s mission. From design and construction, to technical analysis, to coordination and management support, SFWMD engineers perform important duties to safeguard and restore South Florida's water resources and ecosystems, protect our communities from flooding, and meet the region's water needs.
As we celebrate Engineers Week, we encourage you to visit SFWMD.gov/Restoration to learn more about the historic momentum that continues to be made for the resiliency and restoration of South Florida's water resources.