worse after the channelization. While the Kissimmee was not a significant source of pollution for Lake Okeechobee before channelization, in the 1970s and later the river contributed about 25% of the nitrogen and 20% of the phosphorus flowing into the lake. References in popular culture In protest to the canalization of the river and its resultant damage to the habitat, Florida author Piers Anthony based the plot of the tenth Xanth novel, Vale of the Vole, around the straightening of the "Kiss-Mee River," an obvious parody to "Kissimmee." The river was mentioned in a lyric of Josh Turner's song "Alligator Stroll". Restoration Efforts to restore the Kissimmee River to its original flow were approved by Congress in 1992, and began with modification to the headwater lakes in 1997. The United States Army Corps of Engineers had initially hoped to complete the project in 2015. In 2006, the South Florida Water Management District had acquired enough land along the river and in the upper chain of lakes to complete restoration. In all, of the Kissimmee River will be restored. A 2009 report from the Corps of Engineers went into detail with the issues and plans for the Kissimmee River restoration. Already, wildlife is returning to the restored sections of river. When flooding began again, muck and smothering aquatic weeds were flushed out. Sandbars reemerged. Encroaching dry land trees began dying back. Once-dormant plants began to reestablish themselves. The species included pink-tipped smartweed, horsetail, sedges, rushes, arrowhead, duck potato and pickerel weed. Flooding and continuous flow increased levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, creating near perfect conditions for aquatic invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, works, crayfish and freshwater shrimp. This, in turn, boosted fish populations and it led to a rise in bird and alligator populations. The entire food chain benefitted. This is one reason that the Kissimmee River restoration is considered to be the largest true ecosystem restoration project in the world, attracting ecologists from other states and countries. See also Camp Mack's River Resort References External links Kissimmee River information from the South Florida Water Management District Kissimmee River Restoration Project information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Canals in Florida Rivers of Florida Tributaries of Lake Okeechobee Rivers of Osceola County, Florida Rivers of Polk County, Florida Bodies of water of Highlands County, Florida Bodies of water of Okeechobee County, Florida Bodies of water of