The South Florida Water Management District's new Governing Board has awarded a $524 million contract to build the Caloosahatchee (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir. The 10,500-acre reservoir will store 170,000 acre-feet of water with the aim of being able to deliver fresh water to the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary during the dry season.
The district had previously awarded contracts for work that included clearing the reservoir site in Hendry County, and building necessary pump stations. This final contract includes building approximately 19 miles of embankments, allowing the reservoir to hold water at depths of 15-25 feet. The contractor will also build 15 miles of perimeter canals, and 14 water control structures, as well as recreational features on the site. We’re joined by the Governing Board’s new Chairman, Chauncey Goss, to learn more about the project’s timeline, and about his recent appointment as board chair.
