Homosassa River Restoration Project
Four years ago, Steve and Cyndi Minguy started the journey of getting the Homosassa River cleaned up. And finally the crew was in the water in October. Although the money was approved by the state months ago, they had been waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to sign off on the permit. Terry and I were lucky enough to get invited by the couple for a tour of the first week’s clean up efforts.
The beginning of the project starts on the other side of the bridge on Fish Bowl. We had never been on the river on that side. We have rode our bikes on the road many times. You have to have a boat that’s small enough to get under the bridge.
The river bottom is covered with lyngbya and other muck. The goal is to get it all vacuumed up, separate the bad stuff out, and send the clean water back to the river. In addition to cleaning the bottom of the river, eel grass will be planted.
Two divers run the vacuum hoses. The water and muck goes through the hose all the way over behind the Oasis Hotel on 19. You can see their sign across the street from Publix on Halls River Road.
There is a very clear demarcation between the river bottom that has been cleaned that is behind the diver and the unvacuumed section in front of the diver. The orange hose is in the background.
This guy watches the divers and the boat traffic. There is a diver just off to the right by this kayak.
That orange ball marks where the hose is.
A little closer look at the hose.
During the cleaning process, spring vents are opened.
Some of the homes on this part of the river have made their own pools from the springs.
Just a couple of pretty snaps….
The project will be out of the water after November 15th because that’s the start of manatee season. No in water work can be done during that time. But they will get quite a bit done before then on that side of the bridge.
If you want to know more about the Homosassa River Restoration Project, check out their website. You can also make a donation there. A very worthwhile cause.
