Avoid Driving on Flooded Streets

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Driving on flooded streets can pose significant risks to drivers. Keep this phrase in mind, ‘Turn around and don’t drown.’ While you may believe you can safely navigate through high water, the dangers far outweigh any potential convenience. Listed below are five compelling reasons why you should never drive on flooded roadways.

1. Unseen Hazards

· Floodwater can conceal various unseen hazards. Dangerous objects such as potholes, debris, and downed powerlines. Driving over or through this debris may cause considerable damage to your vehicle. The risk increases dramatically when drivers struggle to navigate unfamiliar terrain.

2. Vehicle Damage

· Water can wreak havoc on your car engine. Even inches of standing water can cause your engine to stall. Water can infiltrate critical components such as air intake, transmission, and electrical systems leading to costly repairs. Be proactive and park cars on higher ground. The cost of repairing a water-damaged vehicle can far exceed the inconvenience of temporarily relocating your vehicle.

3. Swept Away

· Fast-moving water can be extremely deceptive. Just six inches of rushing water can knock a person off their feet, while 12 inches can sweep away a small car. The power of floodwater is unpredictable, even a calm section of road can quickly become dangerous. It only takes a moment for a vehicle to be swept off the road, putting all occupants at grave risk.

4. Impaired Visibility

· Flooding can significantly reduce visibility due to murky water and rainfall. When combined with other hazards like malfunctioning traffic signals and washed-out roads, driving becomes even more perilous. What might appear to be a shallow ponding can conceal a canal or community lake making the end of the roadway and the beginning of the waterbody undiscernible. A driver may unknowingly steer their car into a potential drowning risk.

5. Public Safety

· Driving through flooded streets does not just endanger you, it puts others at risk as well. Drivers who attempt to navigate flooded roadways increase the chance of

creating hazardous conditions for emergency responders. By staying home and avoiding flooded streets, you will contribute to the quick recovery and safety of your community.

In the face of flooding, patience is crucial. It is always better to wait for the water to recede than to risk your safety and the safety of others. Heed warnings, stay informed, and prioritize your well-being over any immediate need to travel. Remember, when it comes to flooded roads, the best course of action is to ‘turn around, don’t drown.’ For more information on driving and flooded roadways visit the National Weather Service website at https://www.weather.gov/tsa/hydro_tadd#:~:text=What%20Is%20Turn%20Around%20Don,to%20water%20over%20the%20roads

That’s A Good Question

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Q. What is the ‘bleed down orifice’ in a discharge control structure?

A. In stormwater retention ponds/lakes, a discharge control structure is used to regulate the flow rate of stormwater leaving a site to meet state water quality requirements. The bleed down orifice is an opening in the structure which is set at a designed elevation. As the water rises in the retention pond/lake, it discharges through the bleed down orifice until the designed elevation is achieved.

 

 

Discharging Stormwater from Ponds

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In coordination with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) permit, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) allows two types of discharge control structures in residential communities and commercial properties: Operable and Non-Operable. The terms “Operable” and “Non-Operable” do not refer to the structures’ ability to provide flood protection but rather to their design and functionality.

Non-operable structures, also known as “passive structures,” typically feature an overflow weir or a triangular “bleed down” orifice installed at the stormwater pond’s designed water-control elevation. These overflow orifices facilitate the gravity flow of water through the structure into drainage canals, maintaining the pond water at the designed water-control elevation. Due to their passive nature, water will flow through these structures during rainfall, except in very dry conditions when pond levels fall below the water-control elevation.

Emergency Operable Structures incorporate the passive flow mechanism mentioned above, as well as a vertical slide gate with a manual operating mechanism (usually a handwheel) that allows for controlled water flow from the pond to drainage canals. This structure can be opened to manually lower pond levels after a rain event or in preparation for major weather systems, such as tropical storms or hurricanes to allow for additional storage capacity within the community’s stormwater ponds.

These structures, both operable and non-operable, are vital infrastructure for the neighborhood’s flood control. The responsibility of maintaining these structures belongs to the HOA and property manager. It is important to maintain these structures regularly during the dry season. Information pertaining to the maintenance and upkeep of the discharge control structures should be transferred to new board members and property managers.

The Emergency Operable Structure can only be operated with permission from LWDD. This permission may be granted at the request of an individual community or business, but more often, LWDD provides blanket permission to all communities and businesses based on forecasted weather conditions. In these cases, LWDD will notify registered representatives by email, specifying the times to open and close the Operable Structure. Communities and businesses can register designated representatives to receive these notifications at https://www.lwdd.net/authorization-contacts.

For more information about your stormwater management system visit  www.sfwmd.gov, to obtain a copy of your South Florida Water Management District permit.

 

 

 

WHAT IS A “WELL-MAINTAINED” CANAL?

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The LWDD canals are crucial in flood control and water supply. With over 500 miles of drainage canals, the LWDD manages stormwater to support residents, businesses, and agriculture. Effective flood control hinges on the maintenance of these canals and their rights-of-way. But what does “well-maintained” actually mean? A canal or right-of-way that some property owners might view as unsightly is often considered well-maintained for flood control purposes by the LWDD.

Firstly, canals are not maintained for aesthetic reasons. They are not designed to be pristine waterways for recreational use; instead, they are maintained primarily for effective flood control. Key aspects of this maintenance include ensuring the free flow of water to divert excess stormwater from properties and keeping canal rights-of-way clear for regular maintenance and emergency access. This is achieved by removing aquatic vegetation and the mowing of canal banks.

The LWDD’s canal system hosts various species of aquatic plants. Some plants can slow water flow within the canal channels or large flood control structures. To manage this, the LWDD uses herbicides and mechanical removal methods. While algae in canals may not be visually appealing to some property owners, it does not pose a threat to flood control. Algae are small and can easily pass through drainage pipes and control structures. Moreover, the herbicides used to treat algae are chosen to minimize harm to the water body.

Canal rights-of-way and banks are maintained on different schedules. The low-maintenance team uses specialized equipment for smaller areas twice a year, while the high-maintenance crew mows the top of the banks approximately four times a year. The side slopes are maintained by arm-mowers about three times a year. Tall grass does not impede access to canals or control structures or disrupt flood control operations. Grasses and vegetation can grow several inches before the next scheduled mowing, and because these areas are not fertilized or irrigated, a quarterly mowing schedule supports natural seeding and regrowth.

Some property owners adjacent to the right-of-way may choose to enhance the appearance of their grass by irrigating and mowing more frequently. However, this additional maintenance is at their own expense, and no encroachments like trees or shrubs are permitted.

Effective flood control involves costs shared by all property owners within the Lake Worth Drainage District boundary, regardless of proximity to a canal. The non-ad valorem assessment rate for 2025 is $48.50 for parcels equal to or less than one acre, as determined by the Board of Supervisors. By ensuring well-maintained canal rights-of-way, the Lake Worth Drainage District fulfills its mission of effective flood control at an equitable cost for all residents.

 

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM-AGING INFRASTRUCTURE

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Flood control happens in unison. There is a three-tier system that plays a significant role in protecting our residents. Neighborhood drainage systems, or tertiary systems, are operated by property owners or residential associations. Secondary flood control canals are operated by the Lake Worth Drainage District, and primary flood control is provided by the South Florida Water Management District.

Most culverts, or water pipes that go under the surface, in the U.S. were originally estimated to last between 40 and 50 years before needing replacement due to wear and tear. However, many are now approaching the end of their lifespan, creating significant challenges exacerbated by factors such as population growth and poor planning.

When these culverts begin to reach their lifespan, they can create serious issues for the system. A neighborhood’s excess water drains into community ponds through street and yard drains. A collapsed culvert under a roadway could bring down the road and disrupt a neighborhood.  The cost associated with this can range anywhere from $40,000 to north of $1 million depending on what the actual issue is. This is a massive cost to spring onto homeowners.

It is crucial to ensure that both plans and funding are in place to address these issues. Property managers and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) should be diligent in maintaining storm drains, retention ponds and the pipes that connect to our canals to help manage and mitigate these challenges. Regularly the entire system needs to be checked and examined to check for vulnerabilities. Here is a list of recommendations that should frequently arise

  1. Clear debris, sediment, or trash out of all pipes, inlets, and culverts. Keep grates clear and remove obstructions.
  2. Keep grass areas and swales mowed regularly. Prevent any deposits of yard clippings or related vegetation and waste to prevent filling in overtime.
  3. Check canals and ditches for any signs of erosion and stabilize the areas with plantings or sod. Regularly compare the original design with the existing dimensions and slopes to monitor and address any changes.
  4. Maintain wet ponds and lakes by removing trash, dead vegetation, and debris. Inspect outfall pipes to make sure they’re clear and open. Repair washouts or eroded areas with sod or vegetation.
  5. Routinely inspect any other outfall structures and weir, looking for signs of obstruction or damage that needs to be cleared or repaired. Remove vegetation or trash.
  6. Have the culverts professionally inspected for root corrosion and other signs of failure.