Historical Context: How has the Caloosahatchee River/Estuary been altered? How does it fit within the broader system? Michael L. Parsons Coastal Watershed Institute Florida Gulf Coast University

Areas Flooded in 1947 Areas Flooded in 1947 Areas Flooded in 1926 & 1928 Areas Flooded in 1926 & 1928 Hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 resulted in extensive flooding around Lake Okeechobee Hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 resulted in extensive flooding around Lake Okeechobee Hurricane in 1947 resulted in widespread flooding throughout South Florida Hurricane in 1947 resulted in widespread flooding throughout South Florida State of Florida requested federal assistance in1947 State of Florida requested federal assistance in1947 Congress authorized the C&SF Project in 1948 Congress authorized the C&SF Project in 1948 Historical Problems Leading to Construction Historical Problems Leading to Construction of Central and South Florida (C&SF) Project of Central and South Florida (C&SF) Project Historical Problems Leading to Construction Historical Problems Leading to Construction of Central and South Florida (C&SF) Project of Central and South Florida (C&SF) Project

River Channelization River Channelization Herbert Hoover Dike Herbert Hoover Dike Water Conservation Areas Water Conservation Areas Protective Levees Protective Levees  Everglades Agricultural Area  Lower East Coast Drainage Network Drainage Network  Salinity Structures Major Features of the C&SF Project Major Features of the C&SF Project

Pre-drainage Flows Managed Flows (circa 2010) Water Flows Water Flows

A Brief History of the Caloosahatchee The Caloosahatchee was a sinuous river originating in the natural marshlands west of Lake Okeechobee. The Caloosahatchee was a sinuous river originating in the natural marshlands west of Lake Okeechobee. In 1881, a canal (C-43) was dredged to connect the Caloosahatchee River to Lake Okeechobee. In 1881, a canal (C-43) was dredged to connect the Caloosahatchee River to Lake Okeechobee. Three lock-and-dam structures were added to control flow and stage height in the lake and canal. Three lock-and-dam structures were added to control flow and stage height in the lake and canal. – S-77 at Moore Haven on Lake Okeechobee and S-78 at Ortona were completed in the 1930s – S-79 (W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam) at Olga was completed in 1966 to assure a freshwater supply for Lee County and to prevent saltwater intrusion. Dredging activities widened and deepened the river. Dredging activities widened and deepened the river.

Location of the three lock and dam structures S-79 S-78 S-77

Caloosahatchee Watershed

The Caloosahatchee is a Managed System The river (and therefore its ecosystem) has been altered The river (and therefore its ecosystem) has been altered How has the system changed? How has the system changed? What can be done to reduce/reverse impacts? What can be done to reduce/reverse impacts? What have scientific studies taught us in relation to these questions? What have scientific studies taught us in relation to these questions?