Volusia County

OUC deploys artificial reef with 400 tons of concrete

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A new artificial reef deployed in central Florida Saturday with nearly 400 tons of granite.

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Orlando Utilities Commission prepared about 800,000 pounds of concrete Thursday for transport. The concrete is heading from the Indian River Plant in Brevard County to the Ponce Inlet in Volusia County.

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Before the reef was deployed, OUC transported the material by tug and barge to Ponce Inlet and then sunk the material with a tractor.

Photos: OUC deploys artificial reef with 400 tons of concrete

OUC created the reef in partnership with the Coastal Conservation Association and Shell USA, Inc, which donated 50 tons of granite.

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This transport will help marine life in habitats off the coast of eastern Florida.

This is the second reef created with concrete from OUC’s St. Cloud Operations & Maintenance Center construction site.

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Earlier this year, OUC donated 50,000 pounds of utility junction boxes to the St. Cloud Fire department for space training.

See where the reef is closest to in the map below:

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