Thompson River Dredging and Remediation

The Thompson River is a vital part of the City's stormwater management system that needs significant restoration. The City completed approximately $439,000 in restoration improvements to the Thompson River in 2004 based on the priority improvements identified in the 2003 Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Canal System Restoration and Maintenance. The Thompson River was also identified as a potentially vulnerable critical stormwater feature in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection-funded 2025 Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. While the City has conducted routine maintenance on the Thompson River over the past two decades, including significant bank restoration in 2024, sediment accumulation and bank erosion have progressed beyond what is considered routine maintenance. This project consists of dredging the river to establish proper cross sections, riverbank regrading, installation of sod revetment mat systems, erosion control, environmental protection measures, and site restoration. The work will further the initial 2024 riverbank restoration project and establish long-term stormwater infrastructure stabilization. The project is funded through a State of Florida grant and must comply with all applicable grant requirements, permitting conditions, reporting requirements, environmental regulations, and procurement requirements. Following completion of this phase, the City anticipates one additional future capital project to complete the long-term restoration of the Thompson River.