Kissimmee River shows signs of recovery amidst restoration efforts

The area of the Kissimmee River targeted by the first restoration phase. (Credit: South Florida Water Management District, via Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

Central Florida’s Kissimmee River is showing signs of recovery as federal and state officials work to restore the river to its natural flow, NPR reported.

When the Kissimmee was straightened during the 1960s to drain nearby wetlands, the local ecosystem suffered immensely. Now the world’s largest restoration project, costing over $1 billion, has brought birds, fish and vegetation back to the river.

The project won’t be finished for a few years, but officials are already pleased with the progress. In addition to the ecological recovery, the restored river system should help assuage water management infrastructure issues.

Image: The area of the Kissimmee River targeted by the first restoration phase. (Credit: South Florida Water Management District, via Flickr/CC BY 2.0)