The Last Natural Waterway in South Florida

FWC, after many years of stalling, this spring finally attempted to comply with the Fisheating Creek Settlement Agreement requiring that the creek be opened to small craft navigation. However, in its attempt, FWC was accused of dredging, which is a matter of debate since it was only removing free-floating tussock blocking navigation (but there may have been some minor disturbances of the creek bed in the process). To mitigate this so-called dredging, the solution chosen was to dam what the FWC still describes as “the only free-flowing tributary to Lake Okeechobee”. Our last natural waterway in south Florida is now impeded by 6 weirs, these pictures being of the most easternly of the 6 were taken on 8/13/11. These weirs are constructed of sandbags partially covered with pressure treated timber providing a slide for small watercraft to cross, and stepped down from west to east. Supposedly nothing is holding these in place except gravity. Interestingly, these were top-covered with decorative palm logs, but the palm logs quickly washed away - and many can be seen along the creek in the marsh. An aluminum weir, placed before these more permanent weirs were constructed, has been removed. East of the 6 weirs toward Lake O, the creek is unseasonably dry, supposedly due to lack of rainfall in that specific area and not due to the weirs (per FWC staff). The weirs seem to be doing their intended purpose (holding back water) for now, but they are being washed away on their sides as water finds its way around them, creating a meander as water attempts to bypass on both sides of each weir. This erosion seems to be worsening, as nature tries to solve the man-made problem of impeding the creek. Consequently the weirs might be extended in length, but this is not likely to stop the creek from further meandering around them - and the weirs cannot be extended infinitely into the swamp (Cowbone Marsh). An obituary for this last natural waterway has not yet been written, but is overdue! And yes, the required opening of the creek has been placed on hold, as a short stretch of remaining tussock still blocks navigation in defiance of the legal agreement.

Harris Friedman, PhD, Chair, Fisheating Creek Settlement Agreement

Advisory Board