OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A years-long flooding concern along Boggy Creek in Osceola County is finally getting a major fix, thanks to a $3.5 million state grant.
Osceola County requested and was awarded the funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to conduct a targeted, one-time removal of shoals and invasive vegetation from Boggy Creek. The Florida Legislature passed the fiscal year 2026-2027 state budget — which included the direct appropriation — in May 2026, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in June 2026.
The Osceola County Commission is scheduled to vote to accept the final agreement with FDEP on Monday.
Boggy Creek feeds into East Lake Tohopekaliga — commonly known as East Lake Toho — one of the region’s prominent waterways. County officials have identified a combination of increased water flows, shoaling, reduced conveyance and unmanaged vegetation as the root causes of the creek’s problems, which have led to environmental degradation, impaired water quality, heightened flooding risks and structural strain throughout Boggy Creek’s natural drainage system.
Gator Airboat Rides sits along East Lake Toho and offers tours of the lakes. Jay Turner is one of the many who take people out on the water. He tells News 6 that while airboats can glide over vegetation with ease, other watercraft cannot and when growth clogs the creek’s tributaries, the consequences extend beyond navigation.
“It does impact these canals and the creeks, especially at this time of year when it grows pretty rapidly, and it could clog up canals and it’ll restrict water flow, which could be a problem,” Turner said.
The $3.5 million will fund the design, permitting and removal of shoals and invasive and nuisance vegetation within the creek. The goal is to restore water conveyance to East Lake Toho, rebuild native habitat, improve ecological health and strengthen the watershed’s long-term resiliency against future development and stormwater impacts.
The project will also restore safe navigation and provide better management access for agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to continue invasive species control efforts. Project outcomes will be measured by increases in acres of open water, reductions in water levels and improvements in water conveyance.
Ongoing maintenance of the creek following the cleanup is expected to be funded through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invasive plant management funding.
Turner says a cleanup of this scale is long overdue.
“I think it’s pretty cool. I’ve never heard of them in 30 years doing a $3 million cleanup project on Boggy Creek. So, yeah, I mean, it would be good anytime to go and clean up something — would make the water flow a little bit better,” he said.
Construction is estimated to begin sometime in 2027. The project serves Commission Districts 2 and 5.