District, partners celebrate improved flows

PALM BAY, Fla., May 11, 2017 — A good water quality project just got better.

St. Johns River Water Management District staff and partners on Thursday celebrated the completion of improvements along a mile-long stretch of the C-1 Canal in Palm Bay. Newly contoured banks along a mile stretch of the canal will allow the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District to maximize flows west to the St. Johns River instead of east to the Indian River Lagoon.

“This accomplishment marks a major milestone in our partnership with the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, and demonstrates our shared vision to preserve the Indian River Lagoon and restore water flow back to the St. Johns River,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “We are committed to partnerships that make possible large-scale stormwater projects, such as this, that will have significant positive impacts on the Indian River Lagoon and restore flows to their historic basins.”

For decades, the C-1 Canal shunted stormwater east to the lagoon. Upgrades two years ago permit the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District to pump up to 39 percent of the average annual stormwater to Sawgrass Lake where it is naturally filtered before flowing to the St. Johns River. The project can potentially send an average of 27.5 million gallons of water a day to the river. The latest improvements complement the original project by maximizing the return of flow westward to the St. Johns River, instead of allowing it to flow unimpeded eastward to Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon.