Cone & Graham Inc. Begins Work on Crane Creek/M-1 Canal Restoration

Cone & Graham Inc. is honored to begin work on a vital environmental project in Brevard County—the Crane Creek/M-1 Canal Flow Restoration. This $19.5 million initiative, as reported by ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com, aims to significantly improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon by reducing nutrient-laden runoff. Approved by the St. Johns River Water Management District, this project is set to commence in March and will play a crucial role in restoring the lagoon’s health.

Reducing Nutrient Runoff and Supporting Ecosystem Health

The Indian River Lagoon has long faced challenges from stormwater carrying high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus—two nutrients that contribute to harmful algae blooms. This project will mitigate these impacts by re-routing water from the M-1 Canal westward to a constructed stormwater treatment area, where nutrients will be filtered out before the water flows into the St. Johns River Basin. Through these efforts, we expect to reduce annual nutrient inflow by approximately 24,000 pounds of nitrogen and 3,100 pounds of phosphorus.

Innovative Infrastructure for Environmental Restoration

Our team will install a variety of engineered solutions to enhance water flow and filtration within the canal:

• Control structures, known as weirs, which will manage water flow without compromising flood control.
• Stormwater pumping stations and 2-foot-wide underground stormwater pipes to direct water toward treatment areas.
• A stormwater treatment area west of Interstate 95, where water will be filtered before entering downstream ecosystems.

These infrastructure improvements will not only support cleaner water for the Indian River Lagoon but will also restore seven million gallons of freshwater flow per day to the St. Johns River, enhancing alternative water supplies for local communities.

A Collaborative Effort for Long-Term Impact

The Crane Creek/M-1 Canal project is supported by a collaborative funding approach, with contributions from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Brevard County’s Save Our Indian River Lagoon program, and federal alternative water supply funding. This partnership underscores the importance of cooperative efforts in achieving sustainable solutions for our natural resources.

Cone & Graham Inc. is committed to delivering projects that have a lasting positive impact on Florida’s environment and communities. We look forward to contributing to the restoration of the Indian River Lagoon and supporting the ecological health of Brevard County.

For more information on the project, view the original article by ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com here.