Restoration work underway to stem McCoys Creek flooding

The project will restore McCoys Creek's western headwaters to keep water from rising out of the creek.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:31am

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A major restoration project has begun on McCoys Creek in Downtown Jacksonville to help address long-standing flooding issues. The McCoys Creek Branches project aims to restore the creek's western headwaters, remove barriers that have pushed water downstream more quickly, and create wetlands to slow stormwater before it reaches the main channel. The work will also clean up contaminated soil and plant thousands of trees and native plants to improve water quality and provide habitat.

Why it matters

McCoys Creek has been plagued by flooding for years, with nearby streets often inundated during heavy rains. This project is intended to help mitigate that flooding risk by restoring the creek's natural functions and addressing environmental damage from past land uses. The improvements could also enhance public access and transform how people experience the waterway, shifting it from a problem area to one that supports recreation and neighborhood connectivity.

The details

The current project removes barriers that have hardened the creek's banks and pushed water downstream more quickly, increasing flood risk. Nearly 4,800 linear feet of the creek's headwaters will be restored, along with about 15 acres of streams and wetlands and nearly four acres of open space planned for future recreation. Crews will also clean up contaminated soil from a former ash-dumping site and plant more than 10,000 trees, along with tens of thousands of native plants, to improve water quality and provide habitat.

  • The McCoys Creek Branches project began on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

McCoys Creek

A shallow urban waterway in Downtown Jacksonville that drains several neighborhoods and has long been plagued by flooding issues.

Jacksonville

The city in Florida where the McCoys Creek restoration project is taking place.

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What’s next

The project is expected to take several months to complete, with the goal of improving flood mitigation and enhancing public access to the creek.

The takeaway

This restoration project represents a significant investment in addressing long-standing flooding and environmental issues along McCoys Creek, with the potential to transform the waterway into an asset that supports recreation, connectivity, and habitat for wildlife.