Kissimmee River Post-Channelization Floodplain Vegetation (1973-1974)

This polygon feature class defines the extent and type of vegetation in the Kissimmee River Floodplain circa 1973 to 1974. Vegetation data were compiled at a scale of 1:24,000 in 1980 from aerial photography acquired in 1973 and 1974. These data document river and floodplain conditions several years after its channelization (construction of the C-38 Canal) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Central & Southern Project (C&SF Project). A detailed description of the project can be found in: Milleson, J., R. Goodrick, and J. Van Arman. 1980. Plant communities of the Kissimmee River Valley. Technical Publication 80-7, Published by: Resource Planning Department, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL. Plant Communities of the Kissimmee River Valley (1980) The objective of this project was to produce spatially and thematically accurate maps of the vegetation as depicted during 1972-1974 aerial images and to store data in a means that will allow immediate and future evaluation of vegetation communities. The primary purpose was to prepare a comprehensive and detailed map of the plant communities of the Kissimmee River floodplain after the river's channelization. Historically, the Kissimmee River meandered approximately 103 miles from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee, through a 1-3 mile wide floodplain. The river and its flanking floodplain were comprised of a mosaic of wetland plant communities and supported a diverse group of waterfowl, wading birds, fish, and other wildlife (Toth 1993, Toth et al. 1995). For reference access the following documents: The Ecological Basis of the Kissimmee River Restoration Plan Restoration Ecology 1995 Between 1962 and 1971, to prevent catastrophic flooding, the river was transformed into a 56 mile long, 30-foot-deep drainage canal that passed through 6 water control structures. The dam like structures created a series of 5 impoundments or pools that were held at stable levels to function as navigational steps between the two lakes and as reservoirs for the regulation of flow. Unintended impacts to the ecosystem included drainage of two-thirds of floodplain wetlands and drastic declines in wintering waterfowl, wading bird, and game fish populations as well as a general loss of wetland functions and values (Toth 1995).