This project is the second part of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir component. It includes an above-ground reservoir with a total storage capacity of approximately 120,000 acre-feet located in the Everglades Agricultural Area in western Palm Beach County.

The initial design for the reservoir assumed 20,000 acres, which would make-up the third compartment of the storage the Everglades Agricultural reservoir, with water levels fluctuating up to six feet above grade. The need for this compartment will be determined through more detailed planning and design after Phase 1 is completed.

The purpose of this project is to further improve the timing of environmental deliveries to the Water Conservation Areas, including reducing damaging flood releases from the Everglades Agricultural Area to the Water Conservation Areas and reducing Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases to the estuaries. This last increment of storage would be used to meet environmental demands as a priority. The sources of water for this reservoir are overflow from the Phase 1 reservoirs and Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases only during extreme wet events.

This project will be operated as a dry storage reservoir and discharges made down to 18 inches below ground level. The project can also be designed to provide a water quality treatment function, augmenting the performance of the Everglades Construction Project and ensuring protection of water quality in the Everglades Protection Area.

Design of this project for water quality performance will be based on water quality targets for the Everglades Construction Project and other water quality targets developed to protect designated uses in Everglades Agricultural Area waters.