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CERP Project:
Indian River Lagoon - South

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is considered the most biologically diverse estuarine system in the continental United States with more than 3,000 species of animal and plants according to the Smithsonian Marine Institute.   Project purpose is to improve surface-water management in the C-23/C-24, C-25, and C-44 basins for habitat improvement in the Saint Lucie River (SLR) Estuary and southern portions of the Indian River Lagoon.  The project is expected to provide significant water-quality improvement benefits to both the IRL and the SLR Estuary by reducing the load of nutrients, pesticides, and suspended materials from basins runoff. Based on the feasibility study and PIR approved by Congress in 2007 and further refinements, the project is expected to include the following components:

• Construction and operation of four new large-scale above-ground reservoirs and their connecting canals, control structures, levees and pumps to capture water from the, C-23, C-24, C-25, and C-44 canals for increased storage. A total combined new water storage of about 130,000 acre-ft (44 billion of gallons) of new storage.  
• Construction and operation of four new storm-water treatment areas (STAs) (constructed marsh), one for each C-23/C-24 North, C-23/C-24 South, C-25, and C-44 basins, to reduce sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen entering the SLR estuary and the IRL. A total combined new STAs (constructed marsh) of about 9,100 acres. 
• Restoration of about 92,100 acres of upland/wetland areas and habitat with ditch plugging, berm construction, and periodic fire maintenance.
• Redirection of water from the C-23/C-24 basin to the Northfork of the SLR attenuating freshwater flows to the estuary.
• About 7.9 million cubic yards of muck removal from the SLR’s estuary.  
• About 900 acres of oyster shell, reef balls, and artificial submerged aquatic vegetation near muck removal sites will be added for habitat improvement.

Informational Videos

 

Virtual Tours

• View a virtual tour of all components of the IRL Project
• View the virtual tour of the C-44 Reservoir and Storm-water Treatment Area (RSTA)

Sites of Interest (External Links)

• Naturally Central Florida – Indian River Lagoon (VIDEO)

• Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program
• Introduction to a Natural Treasure (PDF)
• Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory
• The Lagoon and You Informational Video (Saint Johns River WMD)

Other Informational Videos of Interest

 

Teacher and Students Resources

• Coloring Book (4.7 mb, PDF)
  

• Activity Book (3.5 mb, PDF)
  

Project Contacts:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Orlando Ramos-Gines, USACE
Senior Project Manager
Orlando.Ramos-Gines@usace.army.mil

Sponsor:

Beth Kacvinsky, SFWMD
bkacvins@sfwmd.gov

Susan Ray, SFWMD
sray@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:	Pre-Construction, Engineering and Design
Design Agreement:	12 May 2000
CERP Component Designation:	B, UU (Part 1 and 2)
Project Cooperation Agreement:	09 Sep 2010
Authorization:	WRDA 2007

 

 

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