Palm Beach County is working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), and municipal partners on water resources, water quality, storage and restoration projects as part of the ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.  This includes collaboration on the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project.

From the Jupiter Inlet, the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River traverses 14 miles up through Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Martin County.  From there, it winds south back down to Riverbend Park in Jupiter.  In 1983, that 10.3-mile section earned the designation as a National Wild and Scenic River.  The National Wild and Scenic River System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

This designation required the formation of the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council to assist SFWMD and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a management plan for the river.  I have had the pleasure of serving on the council as the County Commission’s representative during my two terms on the Board.  Its membership is comprised of elected officials, federal and state agencies, Palm Beach and Martin counties, water control districts, environmental and planning agencies, and river users and landowners.  Principal goals of the management plan are to preserve and enhance the river’s unique natural values, restore the river’s historical hydrology, and reverse harmful saltwater intrusion on the river, affected by more than a century of ditching, draining and re-engineering along the river for agricultural and urban development.

The County has led restoration efforts in the Loxahatchee River watershed over the years by acquiring nearly 28,000 acres of land and restoring wetlands for the benefit of the ecosystem.  Our environmental and water resources staff are collaborating with SFWMD and the Army Corps and Coordinating Council members to promote cost-effective solutions that will provide significant benefits to the Loxahatchee River watershed, increase flood control and water supply benefits on a wider scale, and additionally improve conditions in interconnected water resources such as the Lake Worth Lagoon.

On a recent tour I attended of the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River with members of the Coordinating Council, we observed projects underway to reduce saltwater intrusion that has killed so many of the cypress trees along the river.  The Moonshine Creek oxbow restoration project was formulated by the Coordinating Council and is under construction through a partnership of the Jupiter Inlet District and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative.  The project will keep water in the channel and push the saltwater out, eliminating a cut through at the oxbow where the sand has been moving upstream.

Over the next two years, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to restore freshwater grasses, much of which disappeared following Hurricane Irma.  Manatees love the grasses and they will help resolve turbidity issues in the river.  FWC is also working with Friends of Jonathan Dickenson State Park to plant 100 new cypress trees per acre.  This project started along the riverbanks in 2017 and is continuing into the flood plain. 

By restoring fresh water flows from tributaries to the north, this will push back the saltwater wedge, which pushes up the river during the dry season.  Sea level rise also contributes to the problem.

The Loxahatchee Slough is a large wetland just east of the Beeline Highway and south of Jupiter Farms that helps recharge the river, but greater flows are needed.  Historically, the river flowed from south to north, receiving water from Grassy Waters Preserve Water Catchment Area (West Palm Beach’s water supply) and the Loxahatchee Slough.  When the C-18 canal was constructed, it cut off the river from the larger watershed.  The SFWMD uses control structures to hold water for the dry season, but we need more water storage facilities to supplement flows to the river.

U.S. Army Corps officials recently toured the Loxahatchee River with county staff and officials from the Loxahatchee River District.  Their observations reinforced their understanding of the importance of protecting publicly owned natural lands within the watershed and restoring water flows to the river through appropriate infrastructure improvements. 

As progress continues on the Loxahatchee River Watershed Project, the County will work with federal and state agencies to improve design solutions that are supported by area stakeholders.

If you haven’t spent time on the Loxahatchee River, particularly the Northwest Fork I hope you will make it a point to do so.  You will thoroughly enjoy the abundance of plants, birds and wildlife species along this peaceful, magnificent natural resource.

As always, you are welcome to contact me at (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.  My staff and I are happy to assist you.