web site analytic

Lykes Ranch Wetland Restoration, Design and Implementation

Client: Lykes Brothers, Inc.

Location: Florida

Summary: The Lykes Ranch, located in Glades and Highlands counties, spreads out on 337,000 acres on one of the largest contiguous pieces of land in the state. The property is home to integrated cow-calf, forestry, sugar cane and landscape operations. Cardno ENTRIX has a long history or working with Lykes Bros., Inc. on a variety of different projects. A few examples are highlighted below.

Project: Red Barn?Wetland Restoration Design and Implementation

Agricultural operations resulted in the drainage of a 15,000 acre site in Glades County. Severe dewatering occurred in 1,550 acres of marshes. Lykes Brothers committed to restoring this system and retained Cardno ENTRIX to design and implement the restoration. Site restoration included placement of structures in ditches, restoration of wetland grades, replacement of organics, and development and implementation of an extensive monitoring program. Afterward, surface water management permits were obtained from the South Florida Water Management District for ongoing agricultural operations. The result was demonstrable increases in site use by wading birds and eagles, improvement of nesting habitat for sandhill cranes, and improved habitat for alligators. An unplanned side effect of this restoration has been notable improvements in water quality at outfalls from this large agricultural property.

Services:

  • Wetland Restoration Design and Implementation
  • Habitat Mapping
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Permit Compliance Monitoring

Project: Reservoir 8?Wetland Design and Creation

Cardno ENTRIX provided the environmental design for a 2,200 acre multi-use reservoir in Glades County. The reservoir was designed to serve the adjacent citrus grove operations as a water source for freeze protection and surface water irrigation. It also provided stormwater attenuation and treatment and flood plain attenuation. What makes this reservoir unusual is that it was also designed to be a functional wetland system and to have natural water level fluctuations. Habitat creation was specifically considered in the design. Today, this site provides habitat for at least 8 listed species and, habitat quality is sufficiently good that it generates revenue through hunting and fishing leases. South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) uses this site as an example of how detention areas for citrus operations should be designed.

Services:

  • Wetland Design and Creation
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Environmental Assessment