Slough Restoration Project – Apalachicola Riverkeeper

The Slough Restoration Project, funded in 2020 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, will restore the connection of three slough systems in the Apalachicola River watershed during times of low flow by removing sediment plugs and reestablishing hydrologic connectivity. The excess sediment is the result of past dredging practices by the Army Corps of Engineers. The multi-year project area includes Douglas Slough (Apalachicola River to the Chipola River), Spiders Cut (Chipola River to the Brothers River), and East River (Apalachicola River to East Bay). Apalachicola Bay depends on the river and its flooded floodplain and floodplain sloughs because they support the bay ecosystem with freshwater, nutrients and detritus.

The project will enhance the hydrologic connectivity of the river to the floodplain and estuary; improve water quality; restore flowing water habitat and lower salinity in East Bay

Ken Jones is the Project Manager and the core project team includes Susan Anderson, Cameron Baxley, Michael Gangloff, Love Kumar, John Tracy, Andrew Gannon, Melissa Samet, Ajay Sharma, Matt Kondolf, Dan Tonsmeire, Scott Walls, and local subcontractors.