Day Seven, the kayakers leave the upper chain of lakes and enter lock S65. They drop four feet to finally arrive on the Kissimmee River. Back on land, our hikers hit the trail at the Kicco Wildlife Management Area.
Meanwhile, back on land, our hikers hit the trail at the Kicco Wildlife Management Area.
From this point on, the hikers will be on land the government purchased for the Kissimmee River restoration, flood control and public use.
“Probably began in the early 1990s and success was declared just last fall when we were able to put the final piece under contract," said Bill Graf from the South Florida Water Management District of the restoration.
All of this area was under water, but because of flooding upstream, it was channeled in the 1960s. You can see a meandering oxbow that was bypassed when the river was dredged.
As day seven ends, so does the trail of The Trust For Public Land and Dale Allen's trip.
“We’ve bought land along Shingle Creek and Lake Toho, but I’ve never seen it, so for me it was a chance to see some of the work on the ground first hand," said Dale Allen from the Trust for Public Land.
Taking his place for the trip’s remainder is Doug Hattaway. He is quickly falling into step.
“I’m happy to be, it’s wonderful,” Hattaway said.
Day seven ends at the historic site of Kicco. On day eight, we will be looking at some of the construction efforts in the river’s restoration.