Today I am going to share all of the aerial photographs of the C-43 Reservoir that were recently taken by my husband Ed Lippisch. I think it is important to be able to “see” these huge CERP/Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects that are, or should be, coming on-line.
My post is meant to be a visual resource.
The C-43 Reservoir encompasses more than 10,000 acres and is located on the west coast near LaBelle, Florida. Ed took these photographs on January 24, 2026 and the reservoir appears to be empty of water, as it has not rained much and much of Florida has drought conditions.
The South Florida Water Management District ribbon-cutting took place on 7/15/25. In time, when it is fully operational and as weather conditions change, this reservoir will be of great help to the Calooshatchee River that unlike the St. Lucie sometimes needs water from Lake Okeechobee.
Resources:
ACOE write up regarding the C-43 Reservoir and its purposes
SFWMD INFO: https://www.sfwmd.gov/…/spl_caloos_c43_reservoir.pdf
Does this mean that less overflow will go into St. Lucie because it is now being held in this new reservoir? Or am I misunderstanding this? Are they still releasing into St. Lucie this month? I hope not!!! It’s so destructive.
Yes kind of….
It is all so confusing! We are in drought of sorts now and the new Lake Okeechobee operations schedule LOSOM allows more water to stay in the lake – thus fewer discharges to the St. Luice and none recently. In time, when it is wet/raining like usual, the C-44 Reservoir will hold runoff from the C-44 watershed. The C-43 Reservoir will hold water from the C-43 watershed. Some Lake O water could end up in these reservoirs but they were really designed for surrounding lands’ runoff. The C-44 Reservoir/STA will filter water and return to the St. Lucie via the C-44 canal and the C-43 will hold water to send to the Caloosahatchee when it needs it. Much more complex than that but hopefully this helps some. Thank you for writing!
Outstanding!
Thanks!
Great pictures….thank you for your and Ed’s surveillance on this…..I just hope the promise of no further release into the South Fork hold true….
.now…what to do with 2feet of muck coating the bottom of the South Fork??
Paul Vallier
Outstanding information
Thank you!!
Hello Paul, thanks for reading. The much must be removed. It is actually scheduled to be as part of CERP but I believe only after all the Indian River Lagoon South Projects are complete which will be at least in the the 2030s.
Thanks for the update! Hopefully we’ll next see water in the reservoir & STA!
Mike Downing
Yes. I hope! Thanks Mike. Certainly the rain will come….