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The Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) Program is removing deep accumulations of muck from the bottom of the lagoon.
The muck in the IRL increases turbidity, inhibits seagrass growth, reduces dissolved oxygen, releases nutrients, and destroys healthy communities.
Muck dredging has a more immediate benefit on the lagoon water quality compared to upland infrastructure projects that reduce pollution at the source. Water quality improves as soon as the muck is removed.
Upland infrastructure projects that reduce sources of pollution must happen too, but if muck is left in the lagoon, it will continue to cause problems even if all upland pollution is stopped.
The SOIRL Plan has 20 muck removal projects, each with its own unique set of characteristics and challenges. Four of these projects have been completed including: