Entrance to Broken Sound Country Club

LWDD & Broken Sound Help Enhance Flood Control

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The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) in collaboration with the Broken Sound Master Association, began work on a canal rehabilitation project adjacent to the L-42 Canal on Yamato Road, between Jog Road and Military Trail. The project includes removal of the aging ficus trees adjacent to the canal and the Broken Sound community, restoration of the canal bank, and replanting of an enhanced native vegetation buffer.

Recognizing the City of Boca Raton’s desire to preserve and enhance native vegetation, the LWDD began coordinating with the Broken Sound Master Association and the City of Boca Raton in February 2019 to address the encroaching trees adjacent to the community. The existing ficus trees are not only a non-native species known for having poor wind tolerance, but most if not all are stressed, diseased or rotting, and require a significant amount of maintenance. Removal of the trees reduces future maintenance and decreases the risk of the trees falling into the canal channel and blocking stormwater drainage or falling into the neighborhood and damaging private property.

The Broken Sound Master Association engaged landscape architect Don Murakami to design an ideal landscape plan along the canal bank that would retain the aesthetic appeal of the community. LWDD Executive Director Tommy Strowd stated “This project is a model of public and private entities working together to enhance services for our mutual customers. It improves flood control for Broken Sound and the surrounding communities while preserving and promoting beautiful native vegetation within the City of Boca Raton.”

In order to complete the restoration process as quickly as possible, the project will be completed in three phases. First, in a coordinated effort, the LWDD will remove existing trees and vegetation from the canal right-of-way and Broken Sound Master Association will remove the remaining root systems that may be entangled with the neighborhood’s perimeter wall. Second, the LWDD will backfill and rebuild the canal bank. Finally, Broken Sound will replace the landscape buffer with Florida native plants and trees outside the critical maintenance area for the canal. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2020.

LWDD’s Mowing Program

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The Lake Worth Drainage District’s (LWDD) personnel perform daily maintenance tasks to ensure the 1,000 miles of canal rights-of-way are functioning as designed. One of these tasks is the quarterly mowing of canal banks and rights-of-way.  The quarterly mowing rotation provides for operational access to canals for emergency response and regular maintenance with minimal cost to taxpayers.

Mowing crews are divided into two groups. Each group utilizes special equipment. Flat-mowers maintain the top of the canal bank, while arm-mowers are used to maintain the side slope of the canals. Due to scheduling and equipment utilization, it is not unusual for the side slope of the canal to be mowed several weeks after the top of bank was addressed. LWDD mowing crews take care to avoid damaging private property located within the right-of-way. However, irrigation lines, sprinkler heads, and other items located within the LWDD’s rights-of-way are encroachments. Whether the encroachment is authorized or not, it is placed there at the owner’s risk and damages from LWDD maintenance operations will not be reimbursed.

The quarterly mowing rotation is frequent enough to meet LWDD’s operational needs while not burdening all the taxpayers within its boundary to pay for enhanced maintenance for the few residents living adjacent to the canals. Unlike a landscape company hired to care for the aesthetic look of your lawn, LWDD’s goal is to provide the access it needs for flood control operations. LWDD maintenance activities do not provide fertilization or irrigation of the vegetation, nor will LWDD crews trim around fence lines or guardrails. Some residential communities, with LWDD’s permission, may choose to maintain the right-of-way at their cost in order to provide the community with the higher level of maintenance they desire.

Additionally, some areas may be inaccessible to equipment and crews. Due to personnel safety, these areas may not be maintained regularly or may be maintained with the application of herbicides. You can view canal bank mowing/spraying activities on LWDD’s Mapping Portal (link: http://lwdd.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html).

Trash dumped on right-of-way

Drainage Canals Are Not Dump Sites

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Dumping, throwing, discarding, placing, depositing or disposing of vegetative debris or other trash in the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canals or along the rights-of-way is illegal. Under the “Florida Litter Law” (Link: Florida Statute 403.413), dumping material on public or private property is punishable by fine and potential jail time. For example, dumping in excess of 15 pounds, but less than 500 pounds for noncommercial purposes is a first-degree misdemeanor and is punishable up to a $1,000 fine and imprisonment of one year. As the weight and volume of the material increases so do the penalties.

Within LWDD’s service area, illegally dumped items are largely non-hazardous solid wastes that are inconvenient or costly to dispose of properly. Typical litter items include household trash, furniture, appliances, tires, and vegetative debris from lawn maintenance and tree trimming.  Dumping offenders most often include residents, construction and landscape contractors, waste removers and automobile and tire repair shops.

Some of the negative effects of illegal dumping can impact public safety, the surrounding environment, and the local economy. For example, using a drainage canal as a dump site can reduce the flood control capacity of the canal and threaten the health and safety of residents. Additionally, trash dumped on the canal right-of-way can impede access needed for regular maintenance or emergency response during severe weather. While landfills are designed to prevent waste from leaching into the ground or adjacent waterbody, this is not true for illegal dumping which can harm local areas. Finally, dumping is an eyesore that negatively affects surrounding property values and governments must redirect resources to clean-up materials and provide pollution mediation.

If you witness an illegal dumping incident in progress, call your local law enforcement agency or 911. Catching dumpers in the act is the best way for police to apprehend dumpers and deter future violations. Never confront someone who is dumping. Instead, try to get the vehicle license number or description of the vehicle used to commit the crime. Most importantly, share this information with your neighbors and encourage them to always dispose of trash properly. For more information on the proper disposal of trash visit Palm Beach County Solid Waste website. (Link: www.swa.org/408/For-Residents).

Iguana

Iguana Control for Property Owners

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Iguana

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a variety of options and techniques property owners can use to help reduce or eliminate nuisance iguana issues. There are several ways property owners can make the area less appealing. Many of these strategies are very simple and easily employed. This list of frequently asked questions was compiled from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website www.myfwc.com/iguana.

Does LWDD provide eradication services for iguana infestations?

LWDD is a single purpose special district with the authority to provide flood control and water supply to the residents within its boundary. Tax assessments are collected for the maintenance and operation of these facilities. Iguanas do not interfere with LWDD’s flood control operations; therefore, LWDD does not provide iguana eradication services.

What might be attracting the iguanas to my property?

Understanding why iguanas may be attracted to an area is the first step to prevention. Typically, iguanas will use an area for foraging or for nesting. To prevent iguanas from entering your property consider what might attract them. Never feed iguanas – either intentionally or unintentionally. Food left outdoors will attract iguanas and can create problems for both you and your neighbors by creating dense concentrations of iguanas. Pans of cut fruit and outside pet food will attract iguanas as well as other unwanted visitors like rats and raccoons.

How can I prevent the iguanas from nesting?

You can remove protective covers including dense thickets, brush or rock piles where iguanas congregate. Fill vacant iguana burrows with sand during the day when the animals are likely to be outside of the burrow. You do not want to fill these holes with any animals still inside.

Contrarily, some property owners have constructed artificial nesting habitats to attract iguanas. The purpose of this approach is to control reproduction. Iguanas lay their eggs in sand or mulch. By adding mulch piles or sand piles near sea walls, you can encourage iguanas to focus nesting in these controlled structures. Once eggs are deposited, they can be easily removed then disposed of in a sealed plastic bag.

What type of landscape material can I plant to deter the iguanas?

Iguanas prefer to eat some very popular landscaping material such as Hibiscus, Orchids, Roses, Nasturtiums, Impatiens and Purple Heart Plant. Iguanas prefer bright red, orange or yellow flowers and fruits and feed on tender leaves. Instead, plant species that are iguana-resistant, such as Milkweed, Pentas, and Citrus. Generally, plants with thick, tough or waxy leaves will discourage iguana consumption. These types of leaves are less palatable and often difficult to digest. If the food source is removed, iguanas will be less likely to inhabit an area.

What types of exclusion techniques can I use?

Exclusion techniques can also be deployed to keep iguanas from damaging your property. Consider protecting valuable plants with cages or screen enclosures. Iguanas are excellent climbers. They may get into and on dwellings via overhanging trees. Trim overhanging branches to remove the unintentional “bridge” to buildings. Sheet metal guards on trees, palms, and dock pilings can prevent them from climbing.

Wire barriers can prevent digging on your property. In areas where iguanas burrow or dig, consider installing chicken wire fencing. This fencing should be buried several inches underground or the iguanas may dig underneath the fence.

What types of deterrent techniques can I use?

Several options can help you deter iguanas from your property. Property owners can surprise iguanas by spraying them with a water hose until they leave the area. You can also make loud noises to startle iguanas and create an unwelcome atmosphere around your property. Other techniques include hanging CD-ROM discs near sea walls or on trees or other plants you want to protect. However, you will need to change the position of CDs on a weekly basis, so the iguanas do not become accustomed to their light reflections.

Is there an iguana repellent I can use?

While not proven, some property owners have experienced success with iguana repellents. A homemade spray repellent can be made using garlic, lime juice, habanero pepper, and dish soap. Iguanas loathe the smell of these ingredients and for the most part, try to avoid the areas and any kind of food source that contains the smell of these ingredients. Using iguana repellents requires the need to redo the application each time it rains as the repellent will be washed away.

Where can I get professional help?

Residents are encouraged to seek professionals to remove iguanas from their property. Property owners can search the internet or phone book to locate wildlife control companies. Costs can vary depending on the extent of iguana infestation and the species of iguana that has invaded your property. Be sure to get a written quote from several service providers before contracting with a provider.

Can I kill the iguanas on my property?

Iguanas and all other wildlife are protected by anticruelty laws, and inhumane treatment of them is prohibited and punishable by state law. Inhumane treatment includes the use of poisons to kill iguanas; no poisons are legal to use on iguanas or any other reptile in Florida. Property owners that desire to kill the iguanas themselves must do so safely and humanely by stabbing or shooting them directly in the brain or decapitating them without having them suffer. However, it is recommended homeowners contact their local law enforcement to inquire about regulation regarding the discharge of a firearm in their area.

Can a property owner or a professional service provider enter LWDD’s canal right-of-way to trap or provide iguana eradication services?

Prior to working on LWDD’s right-of-way authorization is required. Property owners and/or professional service providers should contact LWDD for authorization at 561-498-5363 or info@lwdd.net.

Where can I find more information on iguana control?

Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at www.myfwc.com/iguana.

clearing canal

Public Safety Projects

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Hurricanes, tropical depressions, and tornados are some of the severe weather events the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) must be prepared to deal with at any given moment. Managing over 500 miles of drainage canals and 1,000 miles of associated rights-of-way is a monumental task. It requires experienced staff working daily to maintain the free flow of water in the channel and unencumbered access along the canal banks.

Often mistakenly perceiving the LWDD rights-of-way as part of their backyard, property owners may enhance the rights-of-way with items like trees, fences, sheds or patio decks. These enhancements, or encroachments, can jeopardize public safety during severe weather. Trees and shrubs can fall into the canal, slowing the progression of drainage or cause blockages at major flood control structures. Additionally, structures placed on the right-of-way, like fences or sheds, can obscure sightlines for visual inspections and impede access for maintenance and emergency response.

To combat this problem, LWDD has undertaken a Canal Rehabilitation Program. The rehabilitation process includes the removal of encroachments and, if needed, reconstruction of canal banks. Canal rehabilitation is different than regular maintenance operations. Regular canal maintenance is performed on a scheduled basis and includes mowing, aquatic vegetation management, and encroachment removal. Canal rehabilitation is a more intensive operation and occurs on a more infrequent basis. After rehabilitation takes place, the canals are added to the regular maintenance schedule.

In many instances, areas may not have been addressed for several years due to operational priorities. Following Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 and Wilma in 2005, the focus switched to providing unencumbered emergency access along both sides of LWDD canals. The goal of rehabilitation is to return the canal and the right-of-way as close as possible to its original design, thus providing optimal flood control operations.

The health, safety, and welfare of our constituents are paramount, and a well-maintained canal system is the best defense against possible flooding. The District estimates the vegetative removal phase of the project will be completed in 2022.