St. Lucie Canal (C-44) facts for kids
The St. Lucie Canal (C-44) is a man-made waterway in Florida. It was built in 1916 in Martin County. Its main job was to move extra water from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River and then into the St. Lucie Estuary. This estuary is part of the Indian River Lagoon, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Because of this connection, efforts to fix problems in the St. Lucie River are a big part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
People also call the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) by other names like the St. Lucie Canal, the C-44, or the C-44 Canal. It is also part of the Okeechobee Waterway. Since it was built in 1916, the C-44 has caused some disagreements.
Contents
What is the St. Lucie Canal?
The St. Lucie Canal (C-44) connects to Lake Okeechobee at a place called Port Mayaca, Florida. The canal is about 8 feet (2.4 meters) deep. It was made deeper in 1949. Water can flow through it at a speed of 9,000 cubic feet per second. In 1933, 16 special gates called spillways were approved. These gates help reduce sand and mud buildup in the canal.
The area that drains into the C-44 is very large. It covers about 185 square miles (470 square kilometers). This is like 117,000 acres (47,348 hectares) of land.
How Water Flows in the Canal
When the canal was first finished in 1924, it could move 5,000 cubic feet (141.5 cubic meters) of water per second. In 1937, the canal was made deeper to 6 feet (1.8 meters). This helped more boats use it. By 1949, it was deepened again to 8 feet (2.4 meters). This made it able to move 9,000 cubic feet (254.8 cubic meters) of water per second.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says that water in the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) flows in two directions. It flows east towards the St. Lucie Estuary and west towards Lake Okeechobee. It flows about equally in both directions.
The St. Lucie Canal (C-44) is connected to the Caloosahatchee Waterway. This other waterway connects Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico at Fort Myers, Florida. This means boats can travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico through these canals and Lake Okeechobee.
Important Structures Along the Canal
There are three main structures along the St. Lucie Canal. These are the S-308 lock and dam, the S-153 structure, and the S-80 lock and dam.
S-308 Structure
The S-308 lock and dam is at the western end of the canal. It connects the canal to the shore of Lake Okeechobee. Locks help boats move between different water levels.
S-153 Structure
The S-153 structure lets water out into the St. Lucie Canal (C-44). It helps control water levels in another canal nearby called the Levee 65 Borrow Canal. This canal is next to Lake Okeechobee, just north of the St. Lucie Canal.
S-80 Structure
The S-80 structure is also a lock and dam. It is located at the eastern end of the canal. This structure was finished in 1944.
Environmental Concerns
The St. Lucie Canal (C-44) has caused some environmental problems.
Too Much Fresh Water
One big problem is that controlling Lake Okeechobee's water levels can send too much fresh water into the St. Lucie Estuary. When a lot of fresh water from the lake flows into the C-44, it quickly lowers the saltiness of the estuary. This can harm or even kill many plants and animals that live in the estuary.
Muddy Water
When water flows very fast in the canal, it can cause erosion. This means it picks up dirt and sand, called sediment. This sediment then gets carried into the St. Lucie Estuary. This muddy water, also called turbidity, can cover up important places where animals live on the bottom of the estuary. It can also fill up channels, making it harder for boats to pass.
Pollution from Land
Water that drains from the land around the canal also flows into the St. Lucie Canal. This water can carry pollution, which then creates water quality problems in the St. Lucie Estuary.
History of the Canal
Building the St. Lucie Canal (C-44) started in 1916 and was finished in 1924. The main reason for building it was to have a better way to move floodwaters away from Lake Okeechobee. The canal was first planned to flow into a place called Manatee Pocket, not the South Fork of the St. Lucie River.
People have been concerned about the canal since it was built in 1916. Records show that complaints about its negative effects started as early as the 1950s.
Important Dates
- 1916: Work begins on building the St. Lucie Canal (C-44).
- 1924: The first part of the canal is finished. It can move 5,000 cubic feet (141.5 cubic meters) of water per second.
- 1937: The St. Lucie Canal (C-44) is made deeper to 6 feet (1.8 meters). This helps boats travel to and from Lake Okeechobee.
- 1949: The canal is made even deeper to 8 feet (2.4 meters). This increases its water flow capacity to 9,000 cubic feet (254.8 cubic meters) per second.
