Equipment building the bank on a canal

Canal Restoration & Maintenance – What’s Next?

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Nearly eight years ago, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) embarked on a large-scale Canal Rehabilitation Program. The Canal Rehabilitation Program includes removal of trees, vegetation, and structural encroachments located within the LWDD rights-of-way, as well as the restoration of canal banks to their original design to enhance drainage and provide adequate maintenance access.

The initial focus of the Canal Rehabilitation Program was removal of vegetation that threatened drainage and obscured right-of-way access. In 2024, LWDD will complete removal of vegetation from over 180 miles of canal rights-of-way. In the future, the rehabilitation program will shift focus to restoration of canal banks and removal of structural encroachments within the rights-of-way.

Over the decades, some areas of the canal system have experienced erosion or sloughing of soil materials from the canal side walls and/or the buildup of decomposing vegetation on the canal bottoms. These occurrences can modify the shape, location, and depth of the canal. The canal bank restoration projects will bring the affected canals back to optimum flood control function. Operational tasks may include dredging of the canal bottom, reshaping of the canal bank and realignment of the canal channel. Included in the project is the analysis of the LWDD’s canal system with computer-aided modeling. This data will assist water managers with planning for future water control and supply needs.

As seen in the diagram below, the typical design of an LWDD canal allows stormwater runoff to flow away from the canal channel. A proper canal bank design should direct stormwater runoff into the drainage system facilities of the neighborhood such as swales, street drains and stormwater ponds. Regional water management regulations do not permit stormwater to flow over the canal bank and into the canal channel directly. Community associations should note that poorly maintained grading of their property can create pooling or flooding issues during rain events. Additionally, failures in encroaching irrigation pipes, pool drains, or roof gutters may cause dangerous washouts in residential yards and on the LWDD rights-of-way. The association may be liable for damages resulting from the installation of unauthorized encroachments or lack of maintenance. It is in the best interest of the community to plan and budget for future repairs to property grading and the removal or relocation of encroachments.

LWDD looks forward to working with our community associations and residents as we take the next step toward enhanced flood control. For questions or to find out ways you can help with the Canal Rehabilitation Program, contact us at info@lwdd.net.

Graphic of canal design showing the rights of way and slop of canal banks

man with a brown bag over his head

When The Wind Blows and Rain Pours – Don’t Be This Guy

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Throughout the year the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) is available to assist residents, board associations and property managers with understanding the operation and maintenance of the drainage system within their neighborhood and the important role they have in providing effective flood control for the community. LWDD Field Representatives are each assigned a specific area within the LWDD boundary to provide this assistance. But when the wind starts to blow and rain pours, it’s all hands-on deck! The LWDD staff’s focus switches from day-to-day tasks to storm response. During this time there is less opportunity for staff to address the public’s education or outreach needs. So don’t be this guy:

This guy mistakenly assumes it is LWDD’s role to open and close the association’s discharge control structure in response to rainfall. The operation and maintenance of the discharge control structure is a coordinated function between LWDD and the community. It is the community’s responsibility to open and close the structure in accordance with LWDD’s instructions/authorization.

This guy will call LWDD staff during the storm requesting to be included in the email distribution list. Staff will do their best to accommodate this request. However, please take time to do this before the start of storm season on June 1. Your community association may pre-designate who should be contacted for emergency alerts and instructions. This registration can be found at   www.lwdd.net/authorization-contacts.

This guy doesn’t maintain the drainage infrastructure within the community. He incorrectly assumes that LWDD staff will come out to his community and inspect and make necessary repairs throughout the year. The drainage infrastructure within the community is the sole responsibility of the association. Drainage infrastructure may include items like stormwater ponds, underground pipes, discharge control structures, swales and street drains.

This guy doesn’t keep up with vegetative removal and wonders why his neighborhood streets are flooding. Debris blocking the grate of a street drain can quickly create a localized flooding issue for a neighborhood. Unkept landscaping can topple over in high winds, damaging buildings, cars and injury to residents. Depending on where vegetation lies, blockage to drainage flow can occur. Watch this short video that demonstrates a real-life street flooding event at https://youtu.be/d5vMXatzqVc.

This guy is uninformed and doesn’t know where the key to the community’s discharge control structure is located and has never tried to open the operable mechanism. He may not have the tools needed to access the structure if located below ground. He may break the operating portion of the structure due to lack of experience. This guy will find it near impossible to resolve the issues during the weather event.

Before the wind begins to blow and rain begins to pour, visit LWDD’s Storm Response webpage at www.lwdd.net/storm-response for the information you need to keep you from becoming this guy.

Outside HVAC unit raised above ground

Flood Protection Tips for Associations

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The increased severity of tropical storm events and shifting rainfall patterns pose many challenges. Whenever the volume of water on land overcomes the capacity of natural and built drainage systems to carry it away, flooding can result. But steps can be taken to mitigate some of the damage caused by flooding.

The following is not an all-inclusive list but a kick start for your community to begin planning and budgeting for future mitigation projects.

  • Drainage Systems – Aging and overloaded stormwater systems can be updated to allow water to be moved, stored, and drained more efficiently.
  • Gutters – Removing leaves and other debris from clogged gutters and downspouts can prevent water from pooling around a building’s foundation. Be sure to locate the down spout in the proper direction. A down spout should never directly discharge into a canal or other water body but instead be directed to grassed or rocked areas that will allow the stormwater to slowly seep into the ground.
  • Building Exteriors – A form of “dry flood-proofing,” the application of painted coatings and sealants that you apply to your foundation, walls, windows and doorways will help prevent flood water from leaking into your structure through cracks or penetrations where utilities may come through.
  • Re-grading Property– Adjusting the slope (grade) around a building’s foundation can help stormwater flow more easily away from the building and toward drainage systems like street drains or swale areas. Re-grading may be especially effective for older communities where the grade may have settled over time or been modified by landscaping.
  • Raising Building Systems – HVAC systems and electric panels raised or relocated to above flood levels can prevent future damage to expensive systems.
  • Permeable Pavement – Permeable pavement is a type of paving material that is highly pervious and allows rainwater to pass through it, which reduces runoff. By reducing runoff, permeable pavement manages stormwater and decreases flood risk.
  • Rain Gardens -This type of green infrastructure is designed and built to mitigate stormwater flooding. A rain garden is a garden in a depressed area of a landscape that is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rainwater while providing a pleasing look to the landscape.

The Lake Worth Drainage District is committed to assisting communities within our boundary to be more informed and more resilient to potential flooding. Please visit our website for more information at www.lwdd.net.

old photo from 1919 of dredge and car driving by

That’s A Good Question

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  1. Where can I find information about LWDD’s early beginnings?
  2. In 2015, the LWDD celebrated its 100th anniversary with the creation of the Centennial Video Series. The series consists of 10 short videos (about 5 minutes) each covering a decade of LWDD history. You can watch the series on our website at https://www.lwdd.net/resources/videos-publications. Enjoy!
Alligator

Frisky Alligators

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The Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canals and rights-of-way are abundant with wildlife even in urbanized areas. Residents may encounter various species living in and around the canal system. Most of the animals are harmless. Some can become a nuisance to residents like Muscovy ducks, raccoons and iguanas. However, some animals are dangerous and even life-threatening like alligators and some types of snakes.

The Alligator is particularly dangerous during May and June when courtship begins and continues with females laying an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. An estimated 1.3 million alligators inhabit all 67 counties in Florida and can be found anywhere there is standing water. While alligators and people usually coexist peacefully, there have been recorded attacks and occasional fatalities. The key to staying safe is being alert to the possibility of an alligator’s presence.

Be cautious and assume that drainage canals and ponds are home to alligators. Do not swim or wade in areas where alligators are likely to inhabit, especially at dusk or night when they naturally feed. It is important to keep children away from the water’s edge and do not allow family pets to swim or explore waters if you are unsure about the wildlife inhabiting the waterbody. Feeding alligators in Florida is illegal. When people feed alligators, they lose their natural fear of people and associate humans with food.

Alligators are an important part of Florida’s ecosystem, but should always be regarded with caution. Aggressive alligators can be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/snap/.