U.S. Spilled Tons of Water from the Nuclear Plant on Crocodiles, a Year Later the World Was Shocked

The image you see is a nuclear and natural gas power plant, located about 25 miles south of Miami, Florida, with an operating capacity of 2,754 megawatts. It is the third largest power plant in Florida and the 11th largest in the United States. It provides enough electricity to power about 900,000 homes each year and has been in operation for the past 50 years.

This is the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant in Homestead, owned by Florida Power and Light. While it is a striking facility, what is more remarkable is not the plant itself, but the area right next to it. The plant occupies 11,000 acres of land, of which 6,000 acres are dedicated to a 168-mile canal system. These canals cool the plant’s thermal waste water. They are so large that they can be seen from space.

What’s even more special is that this canal system is not only for cooling purposes, but also for crocodiles. That’s right, wastewater from a nuclear power plant flows into these canals, and American crocodiles have made them their home. Surprisingly, instead of worrying, people are happy about this.

### Unique cooling system

Most nuclear power plants have giant cooling towers to reduce the temperature of the water before reusing it. However, Turkey Point uses a system of cooling canals instead of towers. Initially, the plant took cooling water from Biscayne Bay and discharged it back into the bay, but this had a negative impact on the environment, leading to a ban. Thus, the current canal system was born.

This system consists of 32 canals, each about 5 miles long. The hot water discharged from the plant takes about two days to circulate through this system, cooling it before returning to the plant. Infrared satellite imagery shows that the water cools as it travels farther from the plant, similar to the cooling system of a car engine.

### Wildlife Sanctuary

What’s amazing is that this canal system not only cools the area, but also serves as an ecological sanctuary. There are more than 60 species of animals in the area, 17 of which are listed as endangered, including indigo snakes, flamingos, otters, raccoons, dugongs, and sea turtles.

One of the most notable events is that American alligators have come and nested here. This is a rare occurrence, as this species is endangered in most other areas. Thanks to the isolated environment with little human interference, the alligators have found a safe place to breed. The company that operates the plant has established a monitoring and protection program for the alligators, helping them thrive without being threatened.

### The Alligator Resurgence

The alligator population in Florida had previously dwindled to less than 300 due to overhunting and habitat loss. However, thanks to the Turkey Point conservation program, the population has grown to about 2,000 adults. As of 2023, more than 9,282 juvenile alligators have been tagged there.

Biologists track alligators by collecting data on their size, weight, and biomarkers. Some have been recorded traveling as far as 280 miles, from Turkey Point to Tampa. The program not only helps conserve alligators, but also provides important data for predicting future breeding and distribution trends.

### Environmental Challenges

While the system has many benefits, it also faces its own set of problems. In 2016, a study found tritium levels — a radioactive isotope — 215 times higher than normal in waters near the plant, raising concerns about potential wastewater leaks. Debate over the environmental impact continues as the plant is licensed to operate until the 2050s.

In addition, high water temperatures due to climate change reduced the number of alligator nests in 2015. Other animals have also been affected by poor water quality. However, compared to other areas, alligators at Turkey Point still have better living conditions thanks to strict conservation measures.

### The future of Turkey Point and American alligators

Thanks to government protection and researchers, Turkey Point has become one of three major breeding areas for American alligators in the United States. From just one or two nests in the 1970s, the number of nests has increased to 33 by 2022. With continued support from biologists, the alligators here have the opportunity to continue to thrive.

So, although originally a cooling system for the power plant, the canals at Turkey Point have inadvertently become an important conservation area, giving the American alligator a chance to recover. And who would have thought that one of the safest places for alligators is right next to a nuclear power plant?