Advancing Everglades Restoration: L-5 Remnant Canal Project Reaches Blasting Milestone
Forgen’s L-5 Remnant Canal Improvement project reached a major milestone with the successful completion of three test blasts and its first production blast, advancing critical water infrastructure work in support of Everglades restoration.
November 9, 2026
Restoring the natural flow of water throughout the Everglades requires more than improving existing infrastructure. It takes carefully planned construction efforts that help move water where it is needed most.
As part of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), Forgen’s L-5 Remnant Canal Improvement project is helping advance this effort by expanding approximately 6.2 miles of canal to increase water capacity, improve water delivery into Water Conservation Area 3A, and support water quality improvements farther downstream.
A key part of this work involves blasting rock to deepen and widen the canal. After successfully completing three test blasts, the project reached another exciting milestone on October 22, 2026, with its first production blast, covering approximately 1,200 linear feet.
Preparing for Production Through Test Blasting
Before production blasting could begin, the project team needed to verify that its proposed blasting methods would meet design requirements, safety standards, and client expectations. This process began with three test blasts, each performed within a 100-foot section of the canal.
Working alongside its blasting subcontractor, Forgen used these smaller-scale blasts to evaluate the proposed drilling pattern, the size of the resulting rock, and the vibration levels generated during blasting.
As Project Engineer Romina Cano explained, the test blasts provided an opportunity to evaluate the approach before applying it on a larger scale.
“It’s like a preview. It gives us a chance to see how it works.”
The test blasts served two important purposes. First, they helped the team determine whether the resulting rock would be the appropriate size for crushing and reuse as project material. Second, they allowed the client to evaluate whether the blasting approach would meet safety requirements, control vibration levels, and achieve the required final design grades.
Blasting requires careful consideration of how much explosive material is used and how the blast is designed. Excessive vibration can create risks for surrounding structures, making it important to establish an approach that meets project requirements while achieving the desired results.
The test blasts allowed the team to assess these factors before moving into full-scale production.
A Measured Approach to Blasting
Rather than immediately moving to a larger blast, the team used the test phase to gradually evaluate and refine its approach.
Romina described how the team approached this process:
“Start small, build an understanding of what works, and build from there.”
By beginning with smaller blasts and evaluating the results, the team could better understand how the blasting approach affected rock sizing and vibration levels. This information helped establish the parameters for subsequent blasts while maintaining the project’s safety and design requirements.
All three test blasts met the project’s design requirements and client expectations. Each covered a 100-foot section of the canal, providing the team with the results needed to proceed.
The successful tests were an important step forward, but they were also part of a broader approval process. Following the test blasts, the team submitted its evaluation results for client review. Production blasting could begin after the required approvals were obtained.
From 100-Foot Test Sections to a 1,200-Foot Production Blast
Following the successful test blasts and required approvals, the project reached a significant milestone on October 22, 2026, with the completion of its first production blast.
The blast covered approximately 1,200 linear feet, a substantial increase from the 100-foot test sections and an exciting step forward in the project’s progress.
For the team, the transition to production blasting represented the application of the planning, testing, and evaluation completed during the earlier phase. The results of the test blasts helped establish the approach needed to move forward with the larger scope of work.
Romina highlighted the significance of the transition, noting the difference between the smaller test sections and the first production blast.
“We started with a 100-foot test, proved the approach, and scaled to 1,200 feet for production blasting. Seeing it perform at that scale is amazing.”
The first production blast marks an important step in the canal improvement work as the team continues advancing the project’s design objectives.
Supporting Long-Term Everglades Restoration
The L-5 Remnant Canal Improvement project is part of a larger effort to restore more natural water flow patterns throughout the Everglades. Decades of man-made canals and drainage systems have altered how water moves through South Florida, creating challenges for the region’s unique ecosystem.
By increasing the capacity of the L-5 Remnant Canal, the project will help improve water delivery into Water Conservation Area 3A and support water quality improvements farther downstream.
Through careful planning, testing, and execution, Forgen is contributing to critical infrastructure improvements that support the broader goals of Everglades restoration.
As work progresses, each milestone brings the project closer to improving water movement throughout the region and helping protect the Everglades for future generations.
With each milestone, Forgen continues to advance critical water infrastructure that supports Everglades restoration and helps protect this unique ecosystem for generations to come.
Building Solutions That Last
From complex infrastructure removal to environmental restoration, Forgen is committed to delivering solutions that make a lasting impact.
Learn more about Forgen’s projects: Forgen’s Portfolio
