In a state that receives approximately 58 inches of rainfall a year, it may seem irrelevant to discuss drought. However, droughts are a part of south Florida’s climate just like hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornadoes. But unlike these weather hazards that effect our state, droughts usually occur slowly and are often unrecognized by the average citizen until conditions become extreme.
Unlike a storm where street flooding is immediately visible, a drought can be a silent disaster often going unnoticed. Usually, the first indication to the general public that something is wrong occurs when the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) imposes water restrictions to force the conservation of the resource. Water restrictions usually last for a few months without adverse impacts. However, a prolonged period of drought can have disastrous effects, most importantly on public safety.
During major droughts, one management tool used to control water consumption is the reduction in water pressure in distribution lines. The reduction in pressure will reduce the flow, and over time, will result in less water usage. Although a nuisance to residential and commercial users, it can be an effective management tool. However, this can place an undue burden on fire protection systems in general, and more specifically, increase the risk of fire in high-rise buildings that rely on normal system pressures to operate effectively at higher elevations.
The complete termination of public utility water system services has never occurred in south Florida due to a prolonged drought. But it is not inconceivable that if drought conditions are severe enough, water may not be available at any pressure to continue normal water delivery. Line pressures could approach zero, essentially terminating the delivery of water to homes and businesses, as well as requiring extensive decontamination efforts when water pressures are restored.
The safety consideration of severe long-term drought cannot be understated. Florida suffered its worst drought in recent history from 1998-2002. The state received little rainfall during these years. Many of the state’s water basins and streams began to go dry making it near impossible for the underground aquifers to recharge. Because of the extremely dry conditions, much of the state also suffered from wildfires and an estimated 1.5 million acres of land were destroyed.
In the future, the mitigation of drought impacts demands that Federal, state and local entities work together so regulations can be more flexible in order to deal with a drought crisis. Water Managers should continue planning and developing new water storage areas and reservoirs to increase water supply availability. Finally, individuals must incorporate water conservation practices into their daily habits in order to significantly reduce the burden on already limited water supply. More information on drought management and water conservation can be found at the SFWMD website (Link: www.SFWMD.gov).
Drought: A Silent Disaster
/in Drought, NewsIn a state that receives approximately 58 inches of rainfall a year, it may seem irrelevant to discuss drought. However, droughts are a part of south Florida’s climate just like hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornadoes. But unlike these weather hazards that effect our state, droughts usually occur slowly and are often unrecognized by the average citizen until conditions become extreme.
Unlike a storm where street flooding is immediately visible, a drought can be a silent disaster often going unnoticed. Usually, the first indication to the general public that something is wrong occurs when the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) imposes water restrictions to force the conservation of the resource. Water restrictions usually last for a few months without adverse impacts. However, a prolonged period of drought can have disastrous effects, most importantly on public safety.
During major droughts, one management tool used to control water consumption is the reduction in water pressure in distribution lines. The reduction in pressure will reduce the flow, and over time, will result in less water usage. Although a nuisance to residential and commercial users, it can be an effective management tool. However, this can place an undue burden on fire protection systems in general, and more specifically, increase the risk of fire in high-rise buildings that rely on normal system pressures to operate effectively at higher elevations.
The complete termination of public utility water system services has never occurred in south Florida due to a prolonged drought. But it is not inconceivable that if drought conditions are severe enough, water may not be available at any pressure to continue normal water delivery. Line pressures could approach zero, essentially terminating the delivery of water to homes and businesses, as well as requiring extensive decontamination efforts when water pressures are restored.
The safety consideration of severe long-term drought cannot be understated. Florida suffered its worst drought in recent history from 1998-2002. The state received little rainfall during these years. Many of the state’s water basins and streams began to go dry making it near impossible for the underground aquifers to recharge. Because of the extremely dry conditions, much of the state also suffered from wildfires and an estimated 1.5 million acres of land were destroyed.
In the future, the mitigation of drought impacts demands that Federal, state and local entities work together so regulations can be more flexible in order to deal with a drought crisis. Water Managers should continue planning and developing new water storage areas and reservoirs to increase water supply availability. Finally, individuals must incorporate water conservation practices into their daily habits in order to significantly reduce the burden on already limited water supply. More information on drought management and water conservation can be found at the SFWMD website (Link: www.SFWMD.gov).
2020 Drainage Check-up
/in Flood Control, NewsNeighborhoods systems are designed to retain water in swales and onsite retention ponds. Excess stormwater may be discharged into LWDD canals through control structures with fixed or operable weirs to prevent flooding of property. To be ready for whatever nature sends our way, whether it’s a typical summer rainstorm, a hurricane or drought, a properly working drainage system is imperative.
The dry season for south Florida is approximately November through May, thus January is the ideal time of year for residential communities to conduct inspections of their drainage infrastructure and make any necessary repairs. To ensure you have a well-maintained drainage system, communities should:
No drainage system is 100% flood-proof. The most important actions a residential association can take to protect their community from flooding is regular inspection and maintenance of the community’s drainage system. More information on community drainage and flood control can be found on LWDD’s website (Link: www.lwdd.net ).
The Balancing Act
/in News, O & MLWDD’s water managers do a great job of balancing the need for water supply with the need for flood control. They ensure that excess water is discharged during rainy periods to minimize the risk of flooding while holding some water back for the dry season to recharge groundwater for human consumption. Visit our website (Link: https://lwddnet.wpengine.com/managing-water/overview] and learn more about the ways LWDD protects you against flood or drought.
LWDD & Broken Sound Help Enhance Flood Control
/in News, O & MThe 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.
Prepare Your Lawn For Drought
/in News, Water ConservationAlthough droughts are often thought of in terms of months or years, south Florida can experience drought conditions after only a few days without rainfall due to our sandy soil. The impact of drought conditions on lawns can be made more severe if water restrictions are implemented. But you can prepare your lawn for the dry season which is approximately October through May. Irrigation practices, mowing methods, fertilizer application, and pest control are the keys to preparing your lawn for drought.
Spots in the lawn that turn a brown/gray color, footprints that remain in the grass long after being made, and many leaf blades folded in half lengthwise, are some indications that the lawn needs water. Apply only enough water to wet the soil. One inch of water is enough for most Florida sandy soils. The next irrigation should be withheld until signs of wilt occur again. It may take up to six weeks to condition a lawn to survive several days or more without wilting between irrigation or rainfall. During this time the root system is developing and growing deeper into the soil.
Every time a lawn is mowed, there is stress on the grass metabolism which reduces root growth. Mowing frequency and the height of cut need to be carefully considered. Use the highest setting on the mower for drought conditioning. Never mow more than one-third the height of the lawn at any one time. Keep the mower blades sharp and properly balanced. A leaf blade cut by a sharp blade will heal over more quickly, losing less water, than a leaf blade shredded by dull mower blades.
All the drought conditioning accomplished by proper irrigation and mowing practices can be undone by excessive nitrogen fertilization. Shoot growth is enhanced, and root growth is reduced by excessive nitrogen. Conversely, Potassium fertilization can help lawns increase their tolerance to stress because it promotes increased root growth and thicker cell walls which improves drought tolerance.
Pest control on lawns should be done with a great deal of care because pesticides can add extra stress through phytotoxicity. Once a pest problem has been diagnosed, spot treatment is usually as effective as treating the whole lawn.
A drought prepared lawn can withstand more stress and will encourage the growth of a deep and extensive root system toughened through proper management practices.