CERP Project:
Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir and Caloosahatchee Watershed

The purpose of this project is to capture excess C-43 Basin runoff and regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee and release water to the Caloosahatchee Estuary when needed. The reservoir will also help to improve water quality by reducing nutrient impacts of runoff and improving environmental water supply deliveries to the Caloosahatchee Estuary.

During the Corps planning process, since the CERP Restudy, the related C-43 Basin Aquifer Storage and Recovery project became a distinct project; and this portion was further subdivided into two Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) for implementation:

(1) The Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir (WBSR) PIR will restore the Caloosahatchee estuarine and riverine ecosystems by improving hydrologic conditions. There are two key objectives: (1) provide additional water to the estuary to augment low or no flows over Structure S-79 during the dry season/dry periods, and (2) reduce damaging peak flows to the estuary by capturing and storing excess basin run-off and Lake Okeechobee releases during high flow conditions.

(2) The Caloosahatchee Watershed PIR will address further water storage needs for the Caloosahatchee Estuary as well as water quality, water management, and ecological restoration challenges; while ensuring that agricultural water supply requirements and flood attenuation are not negatively impacted. The project will build on the state's Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection River Plan (January 2009). Goals include: (1) Identify, evaluate and implement methods and/or means of further decreasing dependency upon water releases from Lake Okeechobee, without disrupting water supply needs in the basin; (2) Identify, evaluate and implement methods and/or means to restore the Estuary by storing and releasing water flows in a more natural manner; and (3) Identify, evaluate and implement methods and/or means to enhance basin water quality.

Related Links & Project Documents:

Project Contacts:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Steve Baisden, Project Manager
Stephen.A.Baisden@usace.army.mil

Sponsor:

Janet Starnes, Project Manager
jstarne@sfwmd.gov

Project Details:

Project Sponsor: South Florida Water Management District
Project Schedule: For scheduling information regarding this project, please see the Master Implementation Sequencing Plan (MISP).
Project Phase: Planning
Design Agreement: 12 May 2000
CERP Component Designation: D Part 1
Project Cooperation Agreement:  
Authorization: Not currently authorized

 

 

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