The Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve (CCP) Hydrologic Restoration Project includes the restoration of wetland hydroperiods by the elimination of isolating influences through the existing encircling earthen berm structures in the course of the targeted removal of berm material, and the placement of earthen berm ditch blocks. Where the earthen berm structures are adjacent to the Caloosahatchee River and the northern canal/ditch system (i.e. adjacent to surface waters), the berm material was removed to an elevation coincident with the ground level within a given Management Unit “cell”. At the western and eastern ends of the northern canal/ditch system, removed earthen berm material was deposited into the canal/ditch borrow area to sever direct hydrologic connection to the Caloosahatchee River. This will allow for native/historic upstream surface water flows to be re-directed and restored to MU 108-1 and MU 108-2.

Along the central ditch and berm system, the existing earthen berm was removed and the resulting material placed into the borrow ditch from where it originated. This activity re-connected hydrology between MU 108-1 and MU 108-2.

Since it would not be economically feasible to remove all of the retaining earthen berm structures surrounding MU 108-1 and MU 108-2, the goal of the CCP Hydrologic Restoration Project was to provide adequate hydrologic re-connection through the construction of multiple earthen berm removal areas. These areas of earthen berm removal have been constructed in areas where native/historic streams and flow ways may have discharged to the Caloosahatchee River – based on historic aerial photography, and where re-connection to adjacent surface waters can be achieved.

Detailed Construction Drawings and Resident Inspection services were provided by Mitigation Resources, LLC.