HOME SECURITY CAMERAS OFTEN JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE STILL WORKING. >> YOU’RE TAKING A LOOK AT OUR GULF COAST DROUGHT MONITOR RIGHT NOW. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, MOST OF OUR AREA IS STILL UNDER THAT SEVERE DROUGHT. AND YOU KNOW WHAT, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO. AND AS WE’VE BEEN TELLING YOU, THIS IS A BIG ISSUE. THERE ARE FEW PLACES WHERE IT’S MORE VISIBLE THAN IN CAPE CORAL’S CANALS. THE CITY’S WATERWAYS, NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN THEIR STANDARD LEVELS. TODAY CITY LEADERS ARE WORKING ON A FIX. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER JACKI GOT THEIRS IN CAPE CORAL EXPLAINING WHAT THE CITY DOING. >> THE SERIOUS DRONE ALL ACROSS OUR GULF COAST HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED CAPE CORAL’S, FRESHWATER CANALS. HAPPENING TODAY. CITY LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE MORE FUNDING FOR A PROJECT THAT WILL HELP REFILL THEM TODAY. CITY LEADERS ARE SET TO APPROVE FUNDING UPDATES ON A DEAL WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. THE FUNDING IS IN SUPPORT OF THE NORTHEAST RESERVOIR PROJECT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO KEEP CAPE CORAL’S CANALS SUPPLIED WITH WATER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. EVEN WHEN THERE’S A DROUGHT, THE PROJECT CALLS FOR BUILDING A NEW PUMP STATION AND WATER MAIN TO TRANSFER EXTRA WATER FROM A 570 ACRE RESERVOIR THAT RESERVOIR CAN STORE UP TO 1.5 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER. THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT APPROVED IN APRIL OF 2023. SET ASIDE 6 MILLION DOLLARS OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD UNDER THE UPDATED PLAN. ANOTHER 6 MILLION DOLLARS IS BEING ADDED BRINGING THE TOTAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT TO 12 MILLION DOLLARS. THE TIMELINE IS ALSO BEING PUSHED BACK WITH THE COMPLETION NOW EXPECTED BY APRIL 30TH 2029 WORK WILL SPAN IN BOTH LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES INCLUDES NEW WATER MAINS IN UNDERGROUND PIPE TUNNELS ALONG US. 41, THOUGH, WITHIN FDOT RIGHT AWAY. CITY OFFICIALS SAY. >> THESE CHANGES ARE NEEDED AS LOW WATER LEVELS CONTINUE TO AFFECT VOTING IRRIGATION IN DAILY ROUTINES FOR RESIDENTS ACROSS CAPE CORAL. TODAY’S CAPE CORAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 04:00PM IN HELD AT CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CAT ON GULF COAST NEWS TO LET YOU KN
Cape Coral to increase funding for canal water supply project
Cape Coral city leaders are expected to approve additional funding for a project to refill freshwater canals affected by drought, with completion now set for April 2029.
Updated: 11:24 AM EST Jan 21, 2026
Cape Coral city leaders are expected to approve more funding today for a project aimed at refilling the city’s freshwater canals, which have been severely impacted by drought conditions across the Gulf Coast.The funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection supports the Northeast Reservoir Project, which is designed to keep Cape Coral’s canals supplied with water throughout the year, even during droughts. The project calls for building a new pump station and water main to transfer extra water from a 570-acre reservoir, which can store up to 1.5 billion gallons of water.The original agreement, approved in April 2023, set aside $6 million over a two-year period. Under the updated plan, another $6 million is being added, bringing total funding for the project to $12 million. The timeline is also being pushed back, with completion now expected by April 30, 2029.Work will span both Lee and Charlotte counties and includes new water mains and underground pipe tunnels along U.S. 41, built within the Florida Department of Transportation’s right-of-way.City officials say these changes are needed as low water levels continue to affect boating, irrigation, and daily routines for residents across Cape Coral.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral city leaders are expected to approve more funding today for a project aimed at refilling the city’s freshwater canals, which have been severely impacted by drought conditions across the Gulf Coast.
The funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection supports the Northeast Reservoir Project, which is designed to keep Cape Coral’s canals supplied with water throughout the year, even during droughts.
The project calls for building a new pump station and water main to transfer extra water from a 570-acre reservoir, which can store up to 1.5 billion gallons of water.
The original agreement, approved in April 2023, set aside $6 million over a two-year period. Under the updated plan, another $6 million is being added, bringing total funding for the project to $12 million.
The timeline is also being pushed back, with completion now expected by April 30, 2029.
Work will span both Lee and Charlotte counties and includes new water mains and underground pipe tunnels along U.S. 41, built within the Florida Department of Transportation’s right-of-way.
City officials say these changes are needed as low water levels continue to affect boating, irrigation, and daily routines for residents across Cape Coral.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.