C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area facts for kids

The C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area is a big project that helps clean water in Florida. It's the first part of a larger plan called the Indian River Lagoon-South (IRL-S) project. This project is also a key piece of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). CERP is a huge effort to bring the Everglades ecosystem back to health.

This important work is a team effort. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (a government group that builds and manages public works) and the South Florida Water Management District (a local agency that manages water resources) are working together on it.

What is the C-44 Project?

The C-44 project has two main parts: a reservoir and a stormwater treatment area.

• A reservoir is like a giant storage tank for water. The C-44 Reservoir can hold a lot of water that flows from nearby areas.
• A Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) is a special kind of wetland. It's designed to clean dirty stormwater naturally. As water flows through the STA, plants and helpful tiny organisms remove pollution before the water goes into rivers or lagoons.

Why is This Project Important?

This project is super important for protecting Florida's environment, especially the Indian River Lagoon.

• Cleaning Water: The STA cleans water that runs off farms and other lands. This runoff often carries nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, which can harm water quality. The STA acts like a natural filter, removing these pollutants.
• Storing Water: The reservoir helps manage water levels. During heavy rains, it can store excess water, preventing floods. This stored water can then be slowly released and cleaned by the STA.
• Helping the Indian River Lagoon: By cleaning and managing water, the C-44 project helps reduce pollution flowing into the Indian River Lagoon. This lagoon is home to many different plants and animals, and clean water is vital for their survival.

Where is the C-44 Project Located?

The C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area is located in Martin County, Florida. It's built in an area that collects water from a large drainage basin. This location is strategic because it's close to the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. This allows the project to directly help improve the water quality in these important waterways.

How Does it Help the Environment?

The C-44 project plays a big role in protecting Florida's natural beauty and wildlife.

• Reducing Pollution: By filtering out excess nutrients, the STA helps prevent harmful algal blooms in the lagoon. These blooms can block sunlight, kill seagrass, and harm marine life.
• Restoring Ecosystems: Cleaner water helps seagrass beds grow back, which are important nurseries for fish and food for manatees. It also supports healthy populations of oysters, crabs, and many other creatures.
• Supporting Wildlife: The STA itself creates new wetland habitats. These areas become homes for birds, amphibians, and other animals that thrive in wetland environments.

Project Timeline and Progress

The C-44 project has been a long-term effort.

• Planning and Design: The planning for this project began many years ago as part of the larger Everglades Restoration Plan. Engineers and environmental scientists worked together to design the reservoir and STA.
• Construction: Building such a large project takes a lot of time and resources. Construction involved moving huge amounts of earth, building canals, and creating the special wetland areas for the STA.
• Operation: Once built, the project began operating, constantly cleaning and managing water. It's a continuous process that helps protect the environment every day.

C-44 Reservoir and STA - SFMWD Engineering Project Visualization