Some further information about this wetland area is available
online.  Apparently it is meant to deliver water to the headwaters of
Taylor in order to protect Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow nesting habitat.

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/pd/envdocs/ISOP/DraftEA.htm
describes the area as follows.

"    A 575 cfs temporary pump
     station would be constructed at
     the S-332B site authorized in the
     1994 C-111 GDM*. This would
     pump water out of the L-31N
     Canal and discharge it through
     five sixty inch diameter, half-mile
     long pipes across adjacent fallow
     farm lands into a 2700-foot
     square detention area at the Park
     boundary, from which it would
     seep into the Park. The detention
     area and concrete pump station
     pad would remain as permanent
     features for the C-111 project, as
     would the 100-foot long intake
     canal that would be constructed
     in the oolite rock substrate by
     blasting and excavation. The
     discharge pipe system would be a
     temporary feature that would be
     removed on completion of the
     permanent S-332B pump station."

The wetland area belongs to South Florida Water Management District, which
has a web page with considerable information on their various projects,
and the replumbing of the Everglades.  See http://www.sfwmd.gov/

Evidently, the wetland area will be enlarged as the project progresses.

I've made some minor corrections to Larry's directions below.

> I found two juvenile blue morph Snow Geese at the new wetlands area
> south of Chekika Recreation Area.  These were seen at about 10 a.m.
>
> I was told that the water level in this area  will be controlled to
> simulate the wet and dry seasons.  The water that has been pumped into
> this area will be allowed to slowly diminish for the winter months.
> This will create different water levels for different species.  The
> water was much higher a month ago, at least 11 or more species of duck
> were seen then.  Now the water level has gone down and there are many
> more wading birds.  I saw hundreds of waders today, with many more
> arriving as I was standing there.  It is a very nice area to check out,
> bring a scope.  The lighting is better in the morning.
>
> Directions:  Chekika is about 15 miles north of Homestead.  Go west on
> s.w. 168 st. from Krome ave. (s.w. 177 ave.)  follow the signs for
> Chekika.  Go about 6 miles to a T- intersection, turn left here and go
> about 5 miles or so until you can only make a left on the paved section

This is actually at 3 miles (216th St.)

> of road.  Go east on this road for about 1 mile and make a right turn on

Go east 1/2 mile and make a right (SW 232 Ave).

> s.w. 232 ave.  Go another mile or so until you see the wetlands area on
> the right or west side of the road.  Park here and scope the area.

There are also two other access points farther down the road.

>
> Larry Manfredi
> Homestead, Fl.
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> http://www.southfloridabirding.com
>

--
John H. Boyd III                               [log in to unmask]
Dept. of Economics                             Phone: 305-348-3287
Florida International University               Fax: 305-348-1524
Miami, FL 33199                                http://ecojb.fiu.edu/