DELRAY BEACH, FL (Sept. 18, 2026) – The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is monitoring water levels in its southeastern Palm Beach County service area following significant rainfall and forecasts of more to come.
At this time, all 500 miles of LWDD canals and water control structures are operating as designed to move water as quickly and safely as possible. LWDD canal levels are all well within normal ranges.
The agency utilizes an automated water control system, with staff monitoring fluctuating rain and water levels.
While the LWDD system is operating normally, residents and businesses across the county are experiencing rising water levels in lakes, ponds and swales. When these areas reach capacity, water will flood streets, which become additional storage areas for the excess rainfall. Neighborhood drainage systems are designed this way to help prevent water from entering homes.
Street flooding is already occurring in several localities throughout the county, especially low-lying areas and older neighborhoods. Water will drain gradually on its own, however, the duration of flooding will depend on future rainfall.
Based on a small number of reports to the LWDD and field staff surveying different communities, blocked neighborhood drains and drainage infrastructure are exacerbating the situation. Communities are responsible for inspecting, repairing and ensuring their private, internal drainage systems are clear of debris and functioning properly.
This critical work helps ensure communities can drain to the LWDD system. LWDD field staff have responded to affected communities to speak to residents about what they can do to help ensure flood control.
Key Information for Residents:
- Community flood control structures operate via gravity and are always “open,” even if you can’t see water moving.
- Clear debris from storm drains around your home when it’s safe.
- Contact your HOA, municipality or whomever manages your internal drainage systems to report any blocked drains. LWDD does not clear private drains.
- Ensure your community has an Authorized Flood Control Contact on file at the LWDD so the agency can provide important information when necessary. This should be the person or persons authorized to manage your community’s drainage system. This can be done online: www.lwdd.net/authorization-contacts.
- Email or call the LWDD Emergency Operations Center if you see any issues with LWDD canals or structures: eoc@lwdd.net or (561) 498-5363. Emails and calls are immediately transmitted to staff and will be returned as soon as reasonably possible.
For communities that have Emergency Operable Structures, no authorization has been given at this time to open any structures. These structures are only operated in extremely rare and severe circumstances surrounding a major storm, in accordance with state water quality laws.
Emergency Operable Structures were not designed to provide relief during a storm event, and unauthorized opening can cause significant flooding and water quality violations.
Before a storm predicted to have significant impacts to our area, LWDD will email the Authorized Flood Control Contact provided to the agency by each community with any necessary instructions on Emergency Operable Structures. At the same time, communities are responsible for requesting authorization to operate their structures by providing detailed information on the condition of their system, and their water levels, including how high water has risen above their state-permitted drainage elevation.
Please remember to avoid driving on a flooded road. Also, LWDD is not an emergency response organization. For any life safety issues, please call 911.
LWDD Moving Water, Urges Communities to Clear Drains and Structures
/in NewsDELRAY BEACH, FL (Sept. 20, 2026) – The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) continues to move water from significant rainfall and is monitoring weather forecasts and canal levels.
At this time, all 500 miles of LWDD canals and water control structures in southeastern Palm Beach County are operating as designed to move water as quickly and safely as possible. The agency utilizes an automated water control system, with staff monitoring fluctuating rain and water levels. Canal levels are all well within normal ranges and have additional capacity to receive drainage.
At the same time, LWDD has received reports from communities in the most saturated areas of lakes overflowing their banks and street flooding.
Responding LWDD field staff have found some communities have internal drainage systems that are blocked or are experiencing other issues, especially within the neighborhood water control structures themselves. These issues are likely slowing the flow of water to the LWDD system.
Following are recommended measures for property managers, HOA boards and residents to consider:
These measures will help your community prepare and respond to storms but will not prevent all flooding. When lakes, ponds and swales reach capacity, water will flood streets, which become additional storage areas for the excess rainfall. Neighborhood drainage systems are designed this way to help prevent water from entering homes.
For communities that have Emergency Operable Structures, no authorization has been given at this time to open any structures. These structures are only operated in extremely rare and severe circumstances surrounding a major storm, in accordance with state water quality laws.
Emergency Operable Structures were not designed to provide relief during a storm event, and unauthorized opening can cause significant flooding and water quality violations.
LWDD is not an emergency response organization and has no ability or authority to inspect, drain or repair private neighborhood drainage systems. For any life safety issues, please call 911.
Email or call the LWDD Emergency Operations Center if you see any issues with LWDD canals or structures: eoc@lwdd.net or (561) 498-5363. Emails and calls are immediately transmitted to staff and will be returned as soon as reasonably possible.
Ensure your community has an Authorized Flood Control Contact on file at the LWDD so the agency can provide important information when necessary. This should be the person or persons authorized to manage your community’s drainage system. This can be done online: www.lwdd.net/authorization-contacts.
Please remember to avoid driving on a flooded road.
Email info@lwdd.net with further questions you may have.
(This photo shows the bleed down orifice in the middle of a community structure operating as designed on Sunday, Sept. 20. A blockage of this opening can cause flooding.)
(The conceptual image above depicts a neighborhood water control structure. Ensuring it is clear of debris, especially the bleed down orifice, is critical to its operation. Actual community structures may have a different design. Click on the image for the full version.)
LWDD Closely Monitoring September Rainfall; Canal System Operating Normally
/in NewsDELRAY BEACH, FL (Sept. 18, 2026) – The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is monitoring water levels in its southeastern Palm Beach County service area following significant rainfall and forecasts of more to come.
At this time, all 500 miles of LWDD canals and water control structures are operating as designed to move water as quickly and safely as possible. LWDD canal levels are all well within normal ranges.
The agency utilizes an automated water control system, with staff monitoring fluctuating rain and water levels.
While the LWDD system is operating normally, residents and businesses across the county are experiencing rising water levels in lakes, ponds and swales. When these areas reach capacity, water will flood streets, which become additional storage areas for the excess rainfall. Neighborhood drainage systems are designed this way to help prevent water from entering homes.
Street flooding is already occurring in several localities throughout the county, especially low-lying areas and older neighborhoods. Water will drain gradually on its own, however, the duration of flooding will depend on future rainfall.
Based on a small number of reports to the LWDD and field staff surveying different communities, blocked neighborhood drains and drainage infrastructure are exacerbating the situation. Communities are responsible for inspecting, repairing and ensuring their private, internal drainage systems are clear of debris and functioning properly.
This critical work helps ensure communities can drain to the LWDD system. LWDD field staff have responded to affected communities to speak to residents about what they can do to help ensure flood control.
Key Information for Residents:
For communities that have Emergency Operable Structures, no authorization has been given at this time to open any structures. These structures are only operated in extremely rare and severe circumstances surrounding a major storm, in accordance with state water quality laws.
Emergency Operable Structures were not designed to provide relief during a storm event, and unauthorized opening can cause significant flooding and water quality violations.
Before a storm predicted to have significant impacts to our area, LWDD will email the Authorized Flood Control Contact provided to the agency by each community with any necessary instructions on Emergency Operable Structures. At the same time, communities are responsible for requesting authorization to operate their structures by providing detailed information on the condition of their system, and their water levels, including how high water has risen above their state-permitted drainage elevation.
Please remember to avoid driving on a flooded road. Also, LWDD is not an emergency response organization. For any life safety issues, please call 911.
2026 Wet Season Coordination Call Presentation Now Available
/in NewsThank you for attending the 2026 Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) Wet Season Coordination Call.
Your participation will help ensure the flood control system operates as designed to protect residents, businesses and agriculture.
The presentation to communicate what you as property managers and HOA board members need to know about your water management responsibilities is available below:
The LWDD plans to host this Wet Season Coordination Call each year at the start of the wet season. In addition, the LWDD will host a similar coordination call as needed before and after a storm or major rainfall event.
Email info@lwdd.net with further questions you may have.
Kind regards,
Gabe Margasak
Public Information Officer
info@lwdd.net
NBC6: South Florida’s worst drought in decades dries up habitats, fuels wildfires
/in NewsNBC6: By Guamay Martell
Water is life for us all.
It connects our ecosystem and without it, green turns brown. And, what once looked vibrant turned dull longer than expected.
This is a shift seen across much of the Sunshine State as South Florida endured one of its driest periods in decades.
2026 began with a rainfall deficit and for many at home, the difference may have been subtle.
The South Florida Water Management District works year‑round to keep daily impacts to a minimum, but that doesn’t mean drought goes unnoticed. Its effects show up beyond our backyards, it’s felt in tourism, in agriculture and in the wildlife that depends on this delicate balance.
(Click here for the NBC6 report.)
Follow the Rules When Draining Your Pools
/in NewsDear Property Managers, HOA Boards and Homeowners,
We hope this letter finds you well. The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) occasionally receives questions and complaints regarding the proper procedures for draining swimming pools.
Please be advised that discharging pool water into LWDD canals is strictly prohibited for several important reasons, including:
Local municipal regulations and/or permits apply when draining a swimming pool. Coordinating with your municipality and/or homeowners’ association is essential to ensure approved practices are being followed before beginning any work.
Once all required approvals have been obtained, please keep the following best practices in mind when draining a pool:
The purpose of this outreach is to promote awareness and prevent potential negative impacts. We respectfully ask property managers and HOA representatives to remind residents to follow the rules when draining swimming pools.
Thank you for your time and cooperation in helping protect our shared water resources.
Sincerely,
The Lake Worth Drainage District