New Sulphur Springs Pumping Station Designed to Revive Lower Hillsborough
By Kevin Wiatrowski, Tampa Tribune
« Photo courtesy BaySoundings.com
TAMPA -- For nearly a century, Tampa's Rowlett Park dam has blocked much of the fresh water flowing down the Hillsborough River so city residents can use it to brush their teeth, flush their toilets and water their lawns.
As a result, the river below the dam became largely a salty finger of Tampa Bay, eliminating many of the plants and animals that thrived in a mix of saltwater and fresh water.
Five years ago, state and city officials embarked on projects they hope will make the lower Hillsborough more like its old self by pumping in millions of gallons of fresh water from a network of other sources.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn threw one of five such projects into gear Monday morning when he officially opened the new pump station at Sulphur Springs.
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