Phase I of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project: Initial River Channel Responses

Completed in 2001, Phase I of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project (KRRP) backfilled 12 km of the C-38 flood control canal, restoring flow to over 24 km of historic river channel. The goal of KRRP is reestablishment of ecological integrity to the river/floodplain ecosystem. Ultimately, the project is expected to restore 50 km² of floodplain wetlands and over 70 km of river channel. This paper reports on predicted and measured responses in seven river channel metrics. Monitoring focused on before-after measurements of physical and biological components of the river channel, including hydrology, geomorphology, dissolved oxygen, vegetation, invertebrates, fish, and birds. Preliminary results for these metrics show that they have followed the predicted directions of recovery, and in some cases have already met project expectations.