Come see the progress of the Collier County Comprehensive Watershed Improvement Plan (CCCWIP)!
What is the Project?
The goal of the 10-year CCCWIP is to divert water from the Golden Gate Canal, rehydrate wetland areas, and restore habitat within the watersheds. This can be achieved by moving freshwater away from Naples Bay and into Rookery Bay.
Why is the Project Important?
About 70% of Collier County has been hydrologically altered by humans. This caused:
- Estuaries to suffer from changes in water quality and quantity
- Oyster bars and seagrass beds are degrading due to high levels of sediment and changing salinity levels
- Groundwater levels are lower
- Declining health of wetlands
- Reduced wildlife populations and distribution
- Increase pollutants and nutrients to coastal water systems
- Increased shock to ecosystems caused by too much freshwater flow during wet season
- Net loss of 2,170 acres of mangrove and marsh habitat along Rookery Bay
What is ETE’s Role?
ETE’s data will be used to determine initial water levels/quality and vegetation conditions. This is done before the massive rehydration effort takes effect to ensure water flows are successful in meeting the project’s goals. The project is in its second year of baseline data collection. The baseline data will be used for model calibration and construction design.
Wells installed by ETE ecologists
According to the Plan…
liters of water diverted from Naples Bay per year
