Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District (LA-MSID) Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Caloosahatchee River Estuary Storage & Treatment (C.R.E.S.T) Project on Monday, October 19, 2026.

 

The Caloosahatchee River Estuary Storage & Treatment (C.R.E.S.T.) Project is a multi-phase infrastructure project designed to expand stormwater storage, improve water quality, and protect Lehigh Acres residents while removing nutrients from the Caloosahatchee River.

Phase III marks the completion of the project’s stormwater storage component. This phase included the excavation of approximately 635,000 cubic yards of material, creating 585 acre-feet of new stormwater capacity and enhanced local ecosystem diversity. This added storage provides critical flood protection during major rain events, allowing the LA-MSID to better manage water across multiple drainage basins, including Bedman Creek and the Carlos Waterway, while maximizing water quality benefits.

Together, all three phases create a multi-purpose stormwater facility that delivers long-term environmental and infrastructure benefits to Lehigh Acres, parts of Hendry County, and the Caloosahatchee River.

The completion of C.R.E.S.T.  represents a significant investment in the community, achieved through strategic funding and creative cost-saving measures. LA-MSID actively secured legislative appropriations and grants to leverage local resources and minimize the financial impact on residents.