bnr-ene-everglades
  1. We are WSP
  2. What we do
  3. Projects
  4. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

WSP USA works with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to balance water supply and ecosystem restoration in the Everglades, to sustain this natural wonder for future generations.

Location

  • Florida, United States

Client

  • South Florida Water Management District

Project Status

  • Complete

Restore, Protect and Preserve

WSP provides SFWMD with world-class scientists, engineers and restoration specialists to further its mission concerning flood control and water supply, preventing saltwater intrusion, encouraging responsible agriculture and urban development, and preserving fish and wildlife habitat in the Everglades. As part of that mission, our team works with SFWMD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan — a 35-year plan to restore, protect and preserve the water resources of the Everglades region.

SFWMD is challenged to address restoration and maintenance of one of the world’s most significant freshwater resources and numerous estuarine systems, while meeting the needs of an expanding population such as flood protection and future water supply. Competing needs for water and land must be delicately balanced for every project, whether stormwater treatment or hydrology restoration.

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Cross-Collaboration

Since our collaboration began in 2002, WSP has provided SFWMD with comprehensive, high-quality data that addresses these challenges from every angle. We have balanced ecosystem restoration with water supply and flood protection for a 700-square-mile watershed as part of Everglades restoration; researched how to reduce phosphorous concentrations from agricultural runoff in the stormwater treatment areas—the largest man-made wetlands in the world—to improve water quality; and studied how hydrologic changes impact key habitats and ecosystems.

Through our research for the Loxahatchee Watershed Restoration feasibility study, we designed measures to reduce peak stormwater flows to the estuaries, provide base flows to a designated wild and scenic river, restore wetlands, increase hydrologic and natural area connectivity, reduce flood damage and provide public water supply over a 700-square-mile area in northern Palm Beach County and southern Martin County.

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Identifying Measures

We’ve identified and will continue to identify measures that help restore or maintain the water quality and hydrology of the Everglades and surrounding natural environment, while maintaining or enhancing future water supply for agricultural needs and growing populations and ensuring adequate flood protection in the built environment.

Other challenges that we have overcome