Editor’s note: Read in tomorrow’s blog how you can visit Three Sisters Springs for free this weekend.
The District recently completed the Three Sisters Springs Bank Stabilization Project in Crystal River, which restored the shoreline and created safer conditions around the spring.
Before the project, visitors to Three Sisters Springs could easily spot exposed tree roots and an eroded shoreline. The shoreline surrounding the springs was eroded and undercut from years of manatee and human activity. The erosion had caused sediments to enter spring vents and trees to collapse. It has meant a loss of habitat and dangerous conditions for visitors.
That’s why the District restored the shoreline, which included placing limestone boulders along the shoreline. The property is now open after being closed in the summer for the project.
Before the boulders were put in place, undercut areas of the bank were filled with soil bags and smaller rocks. This combination helps reinforce the shoreline and prevent future erosion. In addition, a variety of native wetland plants were installed on the restored shoreline. Over time, these plants will help with shoreline stabilization, reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff and improve the appearance of Three Sisters Springs.
The project is in partnership with the City of Crystal River, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.