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RESTORING WATER QUALITY
The Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area (LKBSTA) is one of several water restoration projects identified in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Lake Okeechobee Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) to treat high phosphorus levels in the lake.
REMOVING EXCESSIVE NUTRIENTS
The LKBSTA is designed and engineered for bulk removal to pull metric tons of phosphorous from priority areas of the Lake Okeechobee watershed, including the Kissimmee River. At current levels, the excessive nutrients are contributing to harmful algal blooms plaguing waterways throughout South Florida. Cleaning the water before it reaches Lake Okeechobee will mitigate the damage to these precious ecosystems.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Improving the health of the water will substantially improve the health of the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee, which serve as an important source of freshwater and provide habitat for wildlife, including many endangered species.
TARGETING HIGHEST CONCENTRATION AREAS
The LKBSTA is ideally ideally located in north Okeechobee County to treat runoff from areas that consistently have some of the highest phosphorus concentrations and loads in the Lake Okeechobee watershed: S-154 and S-154C Basins, and the Lower Kissimmee and Indian Prairie Basins.
The LKBSTA will utilize pumps to intercept phosphorus-heavy water from two canals (L-62 and C-38) that flow into Lake Okeechobee, moving the water through treatment cells to remove phosphorus. These treatment cells are manmade wetlands that will absorb phosphorus and other nutrients from the water. The treated water will flow from the treatment cells back into the C-38 canal and eventually into Lake Okeechobee.
Once complete, the LKBSTA will consist of seven treatment cells located on 3,600 acres of treatment wetlands within approximately 4,800 acres of land along the Kissimmee River. Wetlands ultimately increase community resilience and could reduce flood risk in the area.
ADVANCING THE STATE'S OVERALL WATER RESTORATION OBJECTIVES
The LKBSTA will support the state in achieving its total maximum daily load goals. The project is funded by the Florida Legislature through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and its Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.
The South Florida Water Management District oversees design, land acquisition, construction and start-up operations.
Testimonials
PROJECT IMPACT
Mitigate
Mitigate harmful algae blooms by reducing excessive nutrients in the waterways and coastal areas of South Florida.
RESTORE
Restore the water quality of Lake Okeechobee – South Florida’s largest fresh water domestic food supply.
PROTECT
Protect the environment and the precious ecosystems that depend on it.
SUPPORT
Support critical wildlife habitat, including endangered species.
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