Kissimmee River Restoration

1. Kissimmee River Restoration Garth Redfield, Ph.D. Chief Scientist, Water Quality Bureau South Florida Water Management District West Palm Beach, FL Note: Chapter 9 of the South Florida Environmental Report provides detailed information on the Restoration

2. It is a key component of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-EvergladesEcosystem Kissimmee River

3. Kissimmee River was a highway of commerce

4. Its floodplain was inundated with water almost all year creating a mutually beneficial interaction between upland and river environments Kissimmee River Restoration Project

5. The river supported a productive and diverse habitat Kissimmee River Restoration Project

6. Severe flooding led congress to authorize dredging in 1954The floodplain was altered for flood protection River Channelized for Drainage and Flood Protection

7. Canal was created from 1962 to 1971.The wisdom of alterations was questioned even before the dredging was done. Meandering River Dredged into a Straight Canal

8. New ranch land no longer supported populations of plants and wildlifeBirds and fish declined greatly when the river canal was lost. Floodplain Converted to Upland Habitat

9. Restoration Alternatives Studied Kissimmee River Restoration Model University of California-Berkeley Alterative ways of reconstructing the river tried A classic example of a physical model

10. Years of study produced feasibility reports for restoring the river and project was approved in 1992. Goal was to provide flood protection (5 yr. event), and hydrological characteristics for a natural river and floodplain. River Channel Reconstruction Modeled

11. Five Hydrologic Criteria for River Restoration Extensive data analysis and modeling characterized flow dynamics and criteria. • Continuous flow comparable to pre-channelization periods • Average flow velocities 0.2 - 0.6 m per second within bank • Stage discharge relationship for overbank flow between > 40 m3/sec and > 57 m3/sec • Stage recession rates on floodplain <0.3 m/month • Floodplain inundation comparable to historic hydrographs

12. Test fill confirmed feasibility.Floodplain lands to be flooded were purchased and others were given flowage easements. River Channel Reconstruction Selected

13. Ecological integrity is: “the capability of supporting and maintaining a balanced, integrated, adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to natural habitat of the region”. (Frey 1975, Karr and Dudley 1981)Every project must be valued by society to be funded; ecosystem restoration is not an easy sell. Ecological Integrity Goal

14. Reconnect, reconstruct physical form of the river Modify headwater inflows to mimic historical patterns Approach to River Restoration Restoration of ecological integrity to central region of the Kissimmee River

15. The restoration project was designed to: Restoration Project Begins Backfill 22 miles (35 km) of the canal Re-carve 9 miles (14 km) of former river channel Restore over 40 square miles (10,540 ha) of river/floodplain ecosystem

16. The cost was estimated at nearly $500 million.The final cost will be about double because of unavoidable land and construction costs. Restoration Financing

17. Degraded Spoil Area Backfilled C-38 Remnant River Channel New River Connection Remnant River Channel Phase I Construction • 7 miles of canal backfilled • 15 miles of river reconnected • 12,000 acres of floodplain reclaimed

18. Project Status • Land acquisition 100% complete • Phase I completed - 2001 • Phase II completed in 2007 with 3 weirs removed and more backfilling of the canal • Phase III in progress

19. Project Status • Phase III backfilling and recarving are complete • All construction to be completed by 12 / 2015 • Headwaters Revitalization Project is underway • Wading birds are doing well, meeting long-term expectations • Restoration evaluation to 2017, documents project benefits – a unique scientific record

20. Initial Responses to Phase I Construction Continuous flow in restored river channels Reestablishment of flood pulse Sandbar formation in river channels Improved dissolved oxygen levels in river channels

21. Initial Responses to Phases I & II Decreases in floating vegetation mats along river channels Increases in “flow loving” invertebrates Greater percentage of sport fish in river channels Large increases in wading birds, waterfowl on the floodplain

22. Floodplain Vegetation Response Pre-restoration Post-restoration

23. River Channel Vegetation Response Pre-restoration Post-restoration

24. Hydrology Geomorphology Dissolved Oxygen and Water Quality Plant communities Invertebrate communities Comprehensive Restoration Evaluation Program Components

25. Reptile and Amphibian communities Fish communities Bird communities Threatened and Endangered species Documenting responses and ecological integrity Biological Evaluation Program Components

26. Restoration in the true sense, but it is not simple Unique Opportunity Succeeds • Five parts: • River Restoration • Evaluation Program • Basin Modeling • Headwaters revitalization • Lakes ManagementSee: The South Florida Environmental Report, Chapter 9

27. After 1999 and backfilling of Pool C, ranches along Oak Creek flooded. Ranchers sued the District for ‘taking’ their property rights by altering their flood protection, a ‘backwater’ effect of downstream restoration. Corps modeling for restoration indicated that drainage should work and not cause flooding, so State denied allegations of flooding. Presented alternative explanations of flooding via local hydrology. No modeling was done on the backfilling of local ditches and project modeling did not include groundwater. Tangible floods against modeling predictions – Winner? Oak Creek Ranchers Sued

28. Land use changes, weather patterns, modeling and professional opinions were all presented in court. Preponderance of evidence and common sense………the District has caused 70% of the flooding and is liable for 70 % of future damages Lessons: Judge relied on credibility of plaintiffs experts; placed limited faith in models and their focus; climatic excuses not accepted; technical experts did not predict conditions after river restoration Science, engineering and modeling can have real costs – Millions in the case of Oak Creek Ranches Oak Creek Ranchers Sued (cont’d)

29. Think more for the long-term, then dredge and drain less Both physical and mathematical models can evaluate alternatives in complex systems, but they must be used correctly and comprehensively Restoration of ecological integrity based on returning physical structure and flow dynamics Give nature resources and amazing things happen! What have we learned from the River?

30. Enjoy your visit to The Kissimmee River