The project will restore the physical form of the historical river by backfilling the middle third (22m) of the C-38 canal with the original spoil material that has remained along the perimeter of the canal. The river will then be forced to flow through remnant runs that have not hadflow for 30 years.

The Kissimmee River will always be a managed system. However, the middle third of the river will be allowed to flow as it did prior to channelization. This will require the removal of two dam and lock structures. The first of these structures, the S65-B Lock and Dam, was removed in June, 2000.

Once the hydrology has been restored to approximate pre- channelized conditions the water quality will improve. As a result, the native vegetation such as smartweed, spatterdock, pickeral weed, duck potato, and many other broadleaf marsh plant species will return on their own.

Once the habitat begins to be restored, it will only be a matter of time before the wildlife communities rebound. In fact, it's already occurring at a rapid rate! The diversity of birds in the restored areas has increased tremendously over the past year.

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