Access to Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, FL will be closed, Apr. 1 - Nov. 15, for restoration
SWFWMD photo of Three Sisters Springs.
The current project extends a previous project, completed in 2016 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD or water district), which repaired the eroded shoreline at Three Sisters Springs. The upcoming project will extend the shoreline restoration from the mouth of the spring run to the Idiot’s Delight Spring area.
In the Idiot’s Delight Spring area, the shoreline will be stabilized by filling-in undercut bank areas with soil bags. Limestone boulders will also be placed to reinforce the shoreline. Native wetland plants will be planted along the restored shoreline to provide additional stabilization and help reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff.
These improvements are critical due to the Three Sisters Springs shoreline being eroded and undercut from years of manatee and human activity causing sediments to enter the spring vent, clouding the waters and and causing shoreline trees to collapse. This decreases water clarity and results in loss of habitat. The Crystal River Kings Bay spring system will also benefit from these improvements.
Project partners include: the water district, the City of Crystal River and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Three Sisters Springs property is co-owned by the watwe district and the City of Crystal River, and managed by the City of Crystal River and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Obtain project information here:
www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/springs/three-sisters-springs-canal-stabilization-project
www.threesistersspringsvisitor.org/sisters/page/three-sisters-springs-canal-stabilization-project-april-1-2023-november-2023-0
If you have a question or comment, email the water district at 3SistersCanalShoreline@WaterMatters.org.