Improve Water Flow Through Canals

I’m constantly reading about Marco Island’s impaired waterways with suggestions on fertilizers and stormwater reuse, but never about improving the flow of water through our canals which if implemented as noted below would not only improve the waterways, but also aquatic life, improve property values, reduce air and water pollution, increase the tax base for the city and improve the recreational activities. The solution is “Free Clam Bay.” This beautiful bay, which can be seen from North Collier Blvd was once directly connected to the gulf which allowed water to freely flow into the miles of canals in this part of the island. Currently, Gulf water must flow in through the Big Marco River, into Collier Bay and then half a mile of canals into Clam Bay and the canals on the other side of Collier Blvd. This does not allow for the flushing of the canals and has resulted in stagnant water and a degradation of aquatic life. In addition to improving water quality, a new canal to the gulf will result in shorter travel routes to open water (up to 30 minutes) for recreational boaters reducing air and water pollution. It will turn approximately 70 single-family houses and the South Seas Condos into direct water access from indirect, thus increasing their values and increasing the tax base for the city. The canal would be on vacant county land between the South Seas complex and the Tigertail Beach parking lot and would run from Clam Bay through the Tigertail lagoon and then to the Gulf. This canal would provide an additional inlet for the Tigertail lagoon to improve its aquatic life. A jetty on the canal mouth would halt silting in. The county could increase recreational facilities by installing a dock and kayak put-in on the canal by the current bathrooms for non-motorized craft to explore Clam Bay, Tigertail Lagoon, and the Gulf. The island currently has no other put-in for non-motorized craft. The county could run pontoon shuttles from the parking lot to the beach, thus reducing the distance and increasing access to the beach. It’s time to take a holistic approach to our island’s waterways.