As the end of Hurricane Season approaches, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. No more listening for storm alerts and watches. No more storing of canned-goods, batteries, and water. No more worrying about flooding. Wait; not so fast, localized flooding in South Florida is always a possibility. It is just a fact; mother nature tries every day to return our area to the original swamp lands of yesteryear, and every day the Lake Worth Drainage District’s canal system works to keep that from happening.
Occurring any time of the year, our tropical rainstorms can be intense and seriously threaten property and life. In response, District staff monitors canal elevations daily and coordinates the operations of water control structures. Water control structures act like dams, allowing stormwater to be released or held back depending on the conditions. The automated technology used to operate the District’s water control structures is called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). As the water rises in the canal and reaches a pre-determined elevation, SCADA will slowly open control structures releasing water for flood control. Similarly, as water elevations return to normal levels the control structure gates will close, holding water back for conservation and water supply demands. In anticipation of severe weather, District staff can override the automated SCADA system and make manual adjustments.
Additionally, SCADA technology eliminates the need for District staff to venture out during dangerous weather conditions to operate control structures. If needed, staff can adjust a control structure via a mobile device from any location, thus significantly reducing response time. Another advantage to SCADA, is the capture of operational data by the system which can be used to evaluate future water supply needs and historical flood control responses. This data can be shared with regional water management partners for enhanced flood control coordination and water conservation measures.
With approximately 500 miles of canals and 20 major water control structures, the Lake Worth Drainage District is one of the largest water control districts in Florida. We are proud to provide our residents with this enhanced water management technology and dependable flood control
Dry Season Landscapes
/in News, Water ConservationWater is a critical factor for healthy and attractive landscapes. The absence of adequate rainfall or irrigation can lead to drought stress and reduced plant growth. Drought stress happens when the plant’s roots cannot absorb the quantity of water needed to support normal growth processes. Even though South Florida receives an annual average of over 50 inches of rain, this rainfall is seasonal. Some plant species encounter drought stress during our dry season which lasts from approximately November to May.
During times of reduced water, plants react by cutting down on photosynthesis and other processes to reduce their water consumption. With progressive water loss, the leaves of some plant species may turn pale or brown. Foliage often withers away, and the entire plant may die. This can be a frustrating and a costly occurrence for a home gardener. So why fight mother nature? There are hundreds of landscape plants that can tolerate drought stress. A few familiar to most gardeners are the Blanket Flower with bright gold and red flowers, Firebush with colorful tube-shaped yellow-and-orange flowers and Buttonwood which can be used as an attractive hedge. Many drought-tolerant flowering plants are a favorite among butterflies and hummingbirds which can add more beauty to your landscape.
Creating a landscape design using drought-tolerant shrubs, trees and flowers can help you avoid plant loss and extensive water-use. For more information on drought-tolerant landscapes, visit the University of Florida’s website at http://www.gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/landscaping-for-specific-sites/planning-your-landscape-to-conserve-water.html
Landowners Meeting & Election
/in NewsMaking Holidays Happier For Kids
/in Current Projects, NewsGiving back to the community is important to LWDD. This year staff collected gifts for the non-profit Spirit of Giving Network’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive. The Spirit of Giving Network, in partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton, works with organizations to help make holiday wishes come true for children in Palm Beach County. For more information about the Spirit of Giving organization, visit their website at www.spiritofgivingnetwork.com.
Hurricane Michael – What Could We Expect?
/in Hurricanes, News, O & MDistrict Engineer Tommy Strowd provides an update on Hurricane Michael and the impacts the LWDD area could see if we experience a similar storm event.
Technology & Flood Control
/in Hurricanes, News, O & MAs the end of Hurricane Season approaches, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. No more listening for storm alerts and watches. No more storing of canned-goods, batteries, and water. No more worrying about flooding. Wait; not so fast, localized flooding in South Florida is always a possibility. It is just a fact; mother nature tries every day to return our area to the original swamp lands of yesteryear, and every day the Lake Worth Drainage District’s canal system works to keep that from happening.
Occurring any time of the year, our tropical rainstorms can be intense and seriously threaten property and life. In response, District staff monitors canal elevations daily and coordinates the operations of water control structures. Water control structures act like dams, allowing stormwater to be released or held back depending on the conditions. The automated technology used to operate the District’s water control structures is called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). As the water rises in the canal and reaches a pre-determined elevation, SCADA will slowly open control structures releasing water for flood control. Similarly, as water elevations return to normal levels the control structure gates will close, holding water back for conservation and water supply demands. In anticipation of severe weather, District staff can override the automated SCADA system and make manual adjustments.
Additionally, SCADA technology eliminates the need for District staff to venture out during dangerous weather conditions to operate control structures. If needed, staff can adjust a control structure via a mobile device from any location, thus significantly reducing response time. Another advantage to SCADA, is the capture of operational data by the system which can be used to evaluate future water supply needs and historical flood control responses. This data can be shared with regional water management partners for enhanced flood control coordination and water conservation measures.
With approximately 500 miles of canals and 20 major water control structures, the Lake Worth Drainage District is one of the largest water control districts in Florida. We are proud to provide our residents with this enhanced water management technology and dependable flood control