Governor Ron DeSantis celebrates the official opening of the massive C-43 Reservoir as Florida reaches a new milestone in Everglades restoration efforts
Hendry County, Florida – In a significant moment for Florida’s environmental future, Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday officially celebrated the grand opening of the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir, a project described as one of the most important steps forward in the state’s decades-long effort to restore the Everglades. Joined by state leaders, environmental advocates, and local officials, Governor DeSantis highlighted how this massive infrastructure achievement will help protect water quality, support coastal ecosystems, and expand Florida’s water storage capacity for generations to come.
The 10,000-acre C-43 Reservoir is designed to capture and store stormwater runoff from the Caloosahatchee River, reducing the harmful impacts of excess nutrients on the fragile ecosystems downstream. By holding this water during wet seasons and releasing it during dry periods, the reservoir will help protect both marine life and communities that rely on clean water for tourism, recreation, and agriculture.
“During my time as governor, we have set new records for investing in conservation, water quality improvements, and Everglades restoration. Today, I was proud to announce the opening of one of the most consequential Everglades restoration projects that Florida has ever undertaken: the Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This project will have an impact far beyond the Caloosahatchee. The C-43 Reservoir is a landmark achievement in our broader mission to restore the Everglades, expand Florida’s water storage capacity, and leave this state better to God than we found it.”
Governor DeSantis made Everglades restoration and water quality a key part of his administration from the very beginning. On just his second day in office, he signed Executive Order 19-12, committing $2.5 billion over four years to these priorities. That target was surpassed during his first term, with a total of $3.3 billion invested—more than the state had committed in the previous twelve years combined.
Momentum has only grown during his second term. In the upcoming fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, Florida has set aside $1.4 billion for Everglades restoration and water quality improvements. This brings the total investment to $4.6 billion in just three years of DeSantis’ second term—putting the state well ahead of schedule to exceed his $3.5 billion second-term goal. In total, nearly $8 billion has now been dedicated to these efforts since 2019.
“Today I was excited to join the Governor for this major milestone in restoring Florida’s Everglades with the start up of the C-43 Reservoir,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership we’ve invested more towards restoration and are seeing meaningful results—on time, under budget, and with strong returns for Florida’s taxpayers.”
These investments are already making a clear difference across the state. Florida has completed or broken ground on over 75 Everglades restoration projects since 2019. The state has also achieved major nutrient reductions, cutting more than 1.8 million pounds of nitrogen and 770,000 pounds of phosphorus from Florida’s waters each year. Meanwhile, South Florida’s water storage capacity has tripled, now capable of holding 176 billion gallons thanks to projects like the C-43 Reservoir.
The newly operational pump station at the reservoir, which can move an impressive 650,000 gallons of water per minute, stands as a testament to the scale and complexity of these efforts.
Everglades restoration is a partnership between the state and federal government, with each side committed to funding half of the work. To speed up progress and minimize costs for taxpayers, Florida has offered to take a leading role on certain federally authorized projects. The state has already delivered on the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, breaking ground ahead of schedule and completing its portion in 2024. Ongoing discussions with federal partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are exploring ways for Florida to further accelerate progress, possibly through updated agreements or a block grant structure that would give the state more direct control over implementation.
The grand opening of the C-43 Reservoir marks more than the completion of a major project—it represents a milestone in Florida’s broader commitment to restoring its natural resources, safeguarding water quality, and strengthening the resilience of its environment for years to come.
