Home / Weather News /

Florida's Kissimmee River: Reversal of an ecological disaster

08:00
11 April 2023

Florida's Kissimmee River
Reversal of an ecological disaster

Natural flow restored in the foreground, with canal in the background where the river had been previously diverted.Natural flow restored in the foreground, with canal in the background where the river had been previously diverted. - © picture alliance

The Kissimmee River in Florida has undergone a successful restoration project after channelisation in the 1900s.

Much of Florida's Kissimmee River has been newly restored to its natural state, after channelisation, also known as river straightening, which was completed in the 1970s.

Natural bends were replaced with straight channels, and the area was extensively drained with the idea of controlling flooding and supporting agriculture better.

However as soon as the project was completed, people realised how much of a mistake it was. It had destroyed the wildlife and their habitats, and diminished the amount of water entering the Everglades.

Local residents even had to change their livelihoods, which once relied upon the surrounding marsh and its wildlife for fishing.

Now, nearly half of the river has been restored back to its natural state by filling the channels with sediment. Over 70 km of the river has been rehabilitated, adding back 20,000 acres of wetlands.

The river's higher flood level now is also an aid for protecting properties in severe weather such as hurricanes, by absorbing large volumes of water. Future work is still needed however, in order to manage water resources and needs better.

More on the topic
Split image showing storm clouds over a coastal town on the left, and a circumzenithal arc on the right.
Sunday 13 July 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer warmth and sights
Wind radar and warning map for strong gusting winds across south-east Ireland, Wales, and the English south coast.
Tuesday 15 July 2025

For UK and Ireland

Pressure system prompts wind warnings
Flood water and weather radar showing heavy rain and thunderstorms over the southern US.
Thursday 10 July 2025

Downpours & flash floods

More severe weather in the USA
All weather news
This might also interest you
Temperature radar showing daily highs for the UK and Ireland. Warmest in south-east England. Next to a weather map showing heavier rain over Ireland, showers in parts of England and Scotland.
Wednesday 16 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Some rain but warmer again
Tuesday 8 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny in the east, overcast in the west
Friday 4 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Gusty and wet end to the week
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement