As published on Keysnet.com:
The C-111 and other canals that cut across the southern Everglades divert the freshwater so important to the wildlife that once flourished there. Reducing the drainage capacity of these canals will begin to rejuvenate the wetlands and the fish communities that support wading birds and other top predators. The opportunity to un-do decades of damage caused by draining, ditching and damming the Everglades is always reason to celebrate.
For this reason, spirits were high as Audubon scientists and advocates joined Everglades restoration partners on Jan. 26 at a ceremony to begin construction of the C-111 Spreader Canal project. The third groundbreaking in six weeks, the crowd soaked in an important message: We must keep this momentum moving forward to advance progress on Everglades restoration.
The massive C-111 canal complex began operation in 1968 and drained more than half of the headwaters basin of Taylor Slough, the primary freshwater entry point to Florida Bay. Additions to the C-111 canal system in 1983 diverted even more water away from its natural entry to Florida Bay. As a result, wetlands were drained and salt water began to inundate Everglades National Park, harming the freshwater plant communities and causing decreased productivity of the prey species that are primary food sources for wading birds. The large supercolonies of wading birds once supported by these freshwater wetlands have declined dramatically.
The successful completion and operation of the first phase of the C-111 Spreader Canal project will create a hydraulic ridge and push freshwater back into Taylor Slough, its intended entry point to Florida Bay. When greater quantities of water enter Florida Bay through Taylor Slough, rather than the C-111, the productivity of wetlands will return.
First, submerged grass species favored by prey fish will expand their coverage, followed by increased densities of prey fish that are critical to supporting populations of not only wading birds, but also to support the fish species popular for recreational fishing in Florida Bay. Rejuvenating these plant and animal species are some of the ecological benefits that will indicate whether the C-111 restoration is successful.
Breaking ground on the C-111 project is a good start to restore the flows necessary for an ecosystem rebound. The South Florida Water Management District deserves special recognition for expediting this critical project. The next step is to make sure the project is operated to send sufficient volumes of freshwater into the parched system. This will be a true measure of restoration success.
