Beginning October 1, the L-40 Levee and Canal will be closed from Loxahatchee Road north for two miles to boating, hiking, bicycling, and all other public use. The closure, due to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction of a reservoir just east of the Refuge, is scheduled to last 12 months. This project, known as the Site 1 Impoundment Project, will capture and store storm water that would otherwise be lost to tide during dry times and preserve clean water in the Refuge.

Loxahatchee Road itself will remain open.  Only the L-40 dike and canal will be closed from around the gate area.  Hunters and other visitors can still access the parking area and the marsh.