East County Water Control District (ECWCD) has completed two water control structure replacement projects Harns Marsh Phase II Improvements and the Three Critical Weirs Replacement Project.

On November 9, the District held a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the completed structures and to educate the community about the importance of water quality, water conservation and storm water management.

Rep. Mathew Caldwell and Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann joined ECWCD at the event.

These water control structures allow the District to manage the flow of, filter, and treat water before it moves to the Orange River and then on to the Caloosahatchee River.

“Now more than ever it is crucial that we improve the water quality, reduce flooding and work toward reducing pollution as we begin to comply with more stringent regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency,” said J. Nathan Stout, ECWCD chairman

Harns Marsh Phase II Improvements engineering services were provided by Tetra Tech with construction services provided by Worth Contracting Inc. This project totally replaced and improved the main structure on the flow way and the structure at the inflow of the North Marsh and added generators, automated gates and telemetry.

“Both the Critical Weirs Project and Harns Marsh Phase II play a large role in how and where we move water,” said David E. Lindsay, ECWCD district manager. “Projects like this enhance the District’s ability to control flood waters, filter water and be responsible stewards of the environment.”

The Three Critical Weirs Project’s engineering services were provided by AIM Engineering with construction services provided by Thomas Marine Construction. This projected replaced the Able 1 structure east of Sunshine Blvd. at the intersection of Ann Ave. N. and 11th St.; the Able 2 structure at Maple St. and Able Canal just north of Leeland Heights; and the Mackerel 1 structure on the north end of Sunshine Blvd. at Hickey Creek Canal and Mackerel Canal.

Residents wishing to learn more about storm water management and pollution prevention can download brochures at www.ecwcd.com or can contact us at email@ecwcd.com.

ECWCD preserves and protects water reserves through drainage, conservation, mitigation, navigational and water management practices in Lehigh Acres (eastern Lee County) and the western portion of Hendry County.

CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS:

-Fire Chief Don Adams, Damon Shelor and Bruce Boyd

-Kris Bowman, Michael Cook, Pete Quasius and Kathy Obrien look over the new project.

– Ribbon cutting of water control structure

Photos provided