Cloward H2O, an expert in aquatic design, contributed to the aquatic engineering design of new critical-care manatee rehabilitation pools in partnership with ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Florida.
This project marks a significant step forward in rescue infrastructure for marine animals, designed specifically to meet the needs of injured and vulnerable manatees.
Manatees are remarkably resilient animals, but during rehabilitation, they rely on specially designed aquatic environments to recover effectively. These pools are engineered to ensure proper water quality, a stable temperature, and optimised circulation, tailored to manatee needs.
Such precise control is vital for treating conditions like cold stress, watercraft injuries, and other serious health issues.
Cloward H2O’s role centred on designing systems that run continuously and reliably behind the scenes, ensuring the habitat stays stable, safe, and conducive to healing at all times.
Every element, from filtration to flow dynamics, is carefully considered to minimise stress on the animals while supporting veterinary care efforts.
See also: Tampa Electric & The Florida Aquarium: raising the conservation bar together
A second chance for manatees
What makes this project particularly significant is its direct contribution to wildlife conservation. These systems are part of a larger effort to provide rescued manatees with a second chance at life and ultimately return them to their natural habitat.
It highlights how thoughtful aquatic engineering can directly support wildlife conservation by creating environments where vulnerable animals can recover and thrive.
Credit ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Allen Clawson, P.E., principal and managing partner at Cloward H2O, says:
"Work like this really highlights how engineering can have a meaningful, real-world impact. Every system we designed was ultimately about creating the right conditions for recovery, where stability, water quality, and reliability directly support the health of these animals.
"You know that what’s happening behind the scenes is helping give manatees the time and environment they need to heal. That’s what makes it so rewarding, seeing how thoughtful design can contribute to conservation in a very real, hands-on way.
"We’re proud to be part of efforts like this and to collaborate with teams who are dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating wildlife. It’s always a great reward to make a difference in such a way.
ZooTampa is a recognised global leader in the conservation and care of Florida’s most iconic species.
It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and actively participates in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), a collaborative effort among non-profit, private, state, and federal organisations focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, releasing, and monitoring manatees.
Cloward H2O also recently shared how it was part of the project team that brought the 11-acre expansion of North Carolina's Greensboro Science Center to life.
