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

Bridge construction along the Tamiami Trail could significantly increase water delivery to the Everglades National Park (ENP), with simulations showing a 6% increase for a 1.6-km bridge and up to 10% when combined with a proposed 4.2-km bridge. These changes would also extend hydroperiods—times of inundation—across large areas of the park, enhancing wetland conditions without adversely affecting eastern canal operations or flood management. Additionally, raising canal water levels north of ENP by up to 0.3 m could further boost overland water levels by 21 cm in some regions. The study used MIKE SHE/MIKE 11 hydrological modeling to evaluate the impact of these infrastructure modifications on historical flow restoration efforts.

Long, S. A., Cook, A. M., Fennema, R., Tachiev, G. I., Villamizar, V., Kotun, K., & Miralles-Wilhelm, F. (2016). Analysis of Bridge Construction as a Restoration Technique for Everglades National Park, FL, USA, Using Hydrological Numerical Modeling. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 142(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)hy.1943-7900.0001077