MacArthur Ditch Restoration Project
The backfilling of the MacArthur Ditch is part of the larger Kissimmee River Restoration project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project will eliminate an artificial drainage feature in the floodplain that was created more than 50 years ago by the MacArthur family to protect their property from flooding.
A small borrow canal resulting from the construction of a levee around this property has grown to almost 3 miles in length and up to 60 feet wide as a result of the reintroduction of flow to the Phase I restoration area in 2001. This dated feature drains the floodplain quickly while it continues to grow in length and width. If not backfilled, it would decrease the inundation depth and duration of water in the floodplain wetlands and impact the quality of fish and wildlife habitat.
MacArthur Ditch Restoration Project
The backfilling of the MacArthur Ditch is part of the larger Kissimmee River Restoration project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project will eliminate an artificial drainage feature in the floodplain that was created more than 50 years ago by the MacArthur family to protect their property from flooding.
A small borrow canal resulting from the construction of a levee around this property has grown to almost 3 miles in length and up to 60 feet wide as a result of the reintroduction of flow to the Phase I restoration area in 2001. This dated feature drains the floodplain quickly while it continues to grow in length and width. If not backfilled, it would decrease the inundation depth and duration of water in the floodplain wetlands and impact the quality of fish and wildlife habitat.