Cool Day!

[JaxDad]

I attended the ribbon-cutting for the C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area yesterday. Although located well north and east of what we think of as the Everglades, it is the first major constructed piece of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. (The Everglades system actually originates even further north in the Orlando area.) I was the lead engineer when planning started for this project (and several related ones) way back in 1999-2000. I spent many, many long hours/days/years working on the preliminary designs, and I celebrated the congressional authorization in 2007. It was a highlight in my career, so it was very cool to see this piece finally completed. There will be more reservoir/STAs completed for this project as well as others west and south of Lake Okeechobee in the coming years. The one south of the lake will be a beast. Exciting times for us Florida water nerds!

I’ll plug this particular article, since I enjoyed talking with the reporter and cameraman as we waited for the reservoir pumps to start…
https://www.winknews.com/2021/11/19/new-reservoir-opens-east-of-lake-okeechobee/