Update on Little Wekiva River May 2024

Progress is visible as the work continues. It is always encouraging for neighbors on the Little Wekiva River to see the fleet of trucks and equipment arriving at dawn- and then to see huge heavy, sand-laden dump trucks departing throughout the day.

At the north end of the project area, a bridge has been rebuilt that is high above the river and will enable good passage underneath when the river eventually reopens. The area remains blocked with barriers and equipment as the remediation work continues.

At the south end of the project area, barriers are also in place that attempt to protect the upstream sediment from filling in the remediated areas. Some of that white sand is sneaking past though, and there is more work and sediment barrier protection needed at this south end.

It clearly takes time to remediate a river that has been filled in with thousands of tons of sediment and the flow misdirected due to the blockages. There is still more work to be done and plenty of areas of concern persist but it is great to see the birds and the fish again. Stay tuned.

Jeanette Schreiber

Sand piles at the south end of the project area waiting to be trucked out. Image by J. Schreiber.

South end of project area where fencing and rocks are trying to block upstream sand from entering the project area. Sand getting past is still a concern. Image by J. Schreiber.

Sand piled in center to build a bank. Native vegetation planted on top to secure. River not really flowing yet. Image by J. Schreiber.

Looking upstream from Fisher Island on east side. Image by J. Fisher.

Looking downstream from Fisher’s bridge. Image by J. Fisher.

BJ and Tracy Sellers canoeing down for a visit. Image by J. Fisher.

Upstream still under work. Gabion baskets are being used for sand control. Image by J. Fisher.

Restoration of cypress cove downstream. Image by J. Fisher.

Before shot from Fisher bridge looking downstream. Image by J. Fisher.

Looking upstream towards powerline bend. Image by J. Fisher.

Looking upstream towards powerline bend. Image by J. Fisher.

Mama and baby came by for a visit. Image by J. Fisher.

Huge heavy, sand-laden dump trucks coming and going throughout the day. Every truck is that much less sand in the river. Dump truck photos and video by J. Schreiber.