Analysis of Bridge Construction as a Restoration Technique for Everglades National Park, FL, USA, Using Hydrological Numerical Modeling

Abstract

AbstractSince the construction of the Tamiami Trail in the 1920s, overland flow to the Florida Everglades has decreased significantly, affecting ecosystems from the wetlands to the estuary. As part of the effort to return flows to historical levels, several changes to the existing water management infrastructure have been implemented or are in the design phase. These changes include the construction of two bridges [a 1.6-km (1-mi) and a 4.2-km (2.6-mi) bridge] and the removal of the Tamiami Trail roadway, as well as increasing canal water levels to increase head elevations north of Everglades National Park (ENP). A numerical model of ENP hydrology was developed using MIKE SHE/MIKE 11 software to review the effects of these structure changes and evaluate the potential impact of bridge construction. Model simulations show that the newly constructed 1.6-km bridge along the Tamiami Trail could increase water delivery to the Northeast Shark Slough (NESS) by about 6%. The 1.6-km bridge, plus the proposed 4.2-km...