The Kissimmee River is a river in southern Florida, USA. State nickname: Sunshine State Official languages English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush (R) Senators Bill Nelson (D) Mel Martinez (R) Area - Total - % water Ranked 22nd 170,451 km² 17. ...
Together with a chain of lakes, it forms the headwaters of the Kissimee-Okeechobee-Everglades ecosystem. The floodplane of the 100 mile long river supports a diverse community of waterfowl, wading birds, fish, and other wildlife.
In the 1950s the Kissimmee was dredged into a canal, C-38, offering better navigation and flood control. However time has proven that this was a bad idea, the improved water flow leading to major problems in the downstream enviornment. Efforts are currently underway to remove the canal and re-introduce the many oxbows that slowed the water.
KISSIMMEERIVER - On a former cow pasture near this meandering river, a flock of white ibis takes off from a grassy marsh filled with native plants like button bush and maiden cane.
Along 15 miles of restored river, shorelines are thriving with native plants and wildlife, including the occasional alligator.
As the headwaters of the Everglades, the KissimmeeRiver and its 20-year-old restoration is considered a model for the massive project to restore the Everglades, which is just under way.
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