Why Restore the Summer Haven River, Beaches, Inlet and Their Ecosystems?
Because Man-Made Changes Continue Threatening Them

Historical (1930s) easement deeds from property owners along the river granted dredging rights to the U.S. to maintain navigability

—Documentation of the NATURAL Summer Haven River as part of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).
 

However, also in the 1930s, a decision was made to redirect the ICW. Dredged material was deposited onto nearby marshland, artificially expanding and elevating what then became known as Rattlesnake Island. This human-driven reshaping turned what had been a small, marshy island of less than two acres into a landmass exceeding 200 acres today.
 https://www.nps.gov/foma/faqs.htm

“Much of the northern portion of Rattlesnake Island consists of sandy fill pumped in from dredging operations that maintain the boat channels in the Intracoastal Waterway.”
— National Park Service, Assessment of Coastal Water Quality at Fort Matanzas National Monument, page 3.
https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/466541

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Over the following decades, the changes from separating the Summer Haven River from it's estuary ecosystem has taken its toll on both. When flowing, it continues to feed water into Pellicer Creek. But allowing it to stop flowing degrades the ecology, water quality, marine life, fishing, oysters, and state park conservation and recreational assets.

The Summer Haven River -- when flowing -- is a magical arterial flow of life supporting nutrients, tidal action and serene beauty.

Help us find the permanent protective solution for this river, its entire estuary system and Summer Haven Beach for all to enjoy.