man picking up trash from storm drain

Prevent Flooding – Adopt A Storm Drain

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Everyone knows that trash is not good for our waterways, but many people unwittingly contribute to water pollution because they do not understand that “natural” trash like leaves, grass clippings and pet waste can become pollutants when they enter the water. Additionally, storm drains are part of the local flood control system helping to move storm water away from homes and businesses. They act as a conduit discharging storm water into local stormwater ponds and drainage canals.

When organic debris like leaves and grass wash down a storm drain, they decompose and release nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen. These nutrients are food for algae and other aquatic plants. Additionally, people can add to the nutrient load by applying fertilizers which can wash down storm drains after a rain.

Debris blocking storm drains can be a local flooding hazard. Even an average afternoon rainstorm can cause local street flooding if the water has nowhere to go. Just a small number of organic debris and trash on top of a drain grate can reduce drainage capacity. By keeping the storm drain clear of debris, it can function as designed allowing storm water to flow away from your home and discharge into flood control canals.

Some helpful tools for cleaning a storm drain include: a broom, a rake, a trash grabber, gloves, an orange cone and/or safety vest, a shovel or dustpan and a pail or yard waste bag. Never remove the grate or otherwise attempt to clean inside the catch basin. Clean only the surface of the storm drain grate and the area around it. If the drain seems to be plugged or have any problems, contact your community board/property manager or local municipality to address the issue.

Adopting a storm drain only takes a small amount of your time. Let friends and neighbors know about your commitment and invite them to adopt a storm drain too. When we all sweep up, rake up and pick up, we protect our properties and waterways.

interior of home flooded

The Chance Your Home May Flood

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Within the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) boundary, some homes and businesses are constructed in areas known as the 1 in 100-year flood plain but have experienced multiple floods in the same year. The assumption that if their area has experienced a 1 in 100-year flood, then for the next 99 years they do not have to worry about flooding is not correct.  While it’s unlikely that two large storms will happen in close succession, history has demonstrated that it is possible.

Confused by the term 1 in 100-year flood, many people begin to wonder what their flood risk really is. The definition of a 1 in 100-year flood is a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Understanding your flood risk can be a complex process, but the hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are striving to communicate risk more effectively, in part by transitioning away from the term 1 in 100-year flood and instead referencing multiple year flooding probabilities. For example, a home in the 1 in 100-year flood plain, may be better understood as a home with a 26% chance it will flood over the course of a 30-year mortgage. Providing a clearer understanding of the probability of flood risk allows decisions to be made to better protect people and buildings.

The USGS has published a flyer discussing in detail the probability of flood risk. You can download a copy at https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/106/pdf/100-year-flood-handout-042610.pdf

person standing in muddy grassed area

Water VIP: Soil Saturation And Drainage

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Many factors must be considered by the water managers at Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) when managing a rain event. One factor not often thought of by the average person is the varying water content in the soil which can have a significant impact on the drainage rate and flood control operations.

When dry soil is crushed in the hand, you can see how it is composed of all kinds of particles of different sizes. Most of these particles originate from the degradation of rocks; they are called mineral particles. Some originate from residues of plants or animals; these are called organic particles. The soil particles seem to touch each other, but a much closer look will show there are spaces in between the particles. These spaces are called pores. When the soil is “dry” the pores are mainly filled with air. After irrigation or rainfall, the pores are mainly filled with water.

When it rains, water is applied to the land, and it begins to seep into the soil. This process is called infiltration. The infiltration rate of a soil is the velocity at which water on the surface can seep into it. The rate of infiltration is affected by the texture of the soil. For example, the infiltration of water into a sandy soil is faster than into a clay soil because the texture of clay is much denser than the sandy soil. The infiltration rate of a soil also depends on the existing soil moisture content. The water infiltrates faster when the soil is dry, rather than when it is wet. You can see this when it has been raining for an extended period. Puddling or pooling of water will occur.

If all soil pores are filled with water the soil is said to be saturated and there is little to no air left between the soil particles. It is easy to determine if soil is saturated. If a handful of saturated soil is squeezed, some muddy water will run between your fingers. The period of saturation of the topsoil usually does not last long. After the rain has stopped, part of the water present in the larger pores at the top will move downward. This process is called drainage or percolation. In coarse textured sandy soils, drainage is completed within a period of a few hours. In fine textured clay soils, drainage may take 2-3 days.

The type of soil and degree of saturation is a consideration when managing  water. The flood control function is a balancing act. Water managers must provide adequate drainage for flood control while holding back water for future supply needs. The LWDD has over 100 years of experience in managing the flood control in southeastern Palm Beach County. For more information on water management visit our website at www.lwdd.net.

Man picking up debris from street storm drain

Protect Your Home From Flooding

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June 1 starts the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season and forecasters predict it will be busy. Now is the time to get ready for the rains coming our way.

If you live in Florida, you know that rain and potential flooding are natural conditions that could adversely impact people and property. At the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) stormwater drainage and emergency flood response is a core mission. LWDD staff is focused year-round on resiliency and flood protection for the more than 800,000 residents living within our boundary.

As hurricane season approaches, staff is inspecting and conducting maintenance on equipment and designating teams who will respond to emergencies, as well as testing and updating internal plans that guide our work. We also coordinate our operations with local government partners, like the South Florida Water Management District, Palm Beach County and other municipalities who maintain and operate drainage canals in our area. Additionally, staff communicates emergency instructions with residential communities and businesses that have permits to discharge stormwater into LWDD’s canal system for flood control.

Individual residents have a flood control role as well. You can take steps now to help protect your home from flooding.

  • Report clogged culverts or slow-moving water in canals or swales to your property management company or responsible local government. Report issues when you see them to allow adequate time for maintenance or repairs before a storm.
  • Keep grass clippings and other debris out of stormwater drainage systems to prevent clogging and loss of stormwater storage and treatment capacity.
  • Clean out rain gutters and extend downspouts at least four feet from structures. Direct the discharge away from canals to avoid washouts in canal banks.
  • Become informed and learn more about what to expect and how to protect your home. Sign-up to receive email notices at our website at lwdd.net/enotifications.
  • Drainage is a year-round focus for the LWDD team, but no system is flood proof. When hurricanes and other storms bring substantial amounts of rain in a short amount of time, flooding can result. However, partnerships between individuals, residential communities and govern­ment can help prevent flooding of homes during severe weather events.
Graphic of Women with Cloud above her head and word 'stormwater'

Flooding: Frequently Asked Questions

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How does flood control work?

Flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility and is achieved through an interconnected, three-tiered drainage system. 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. Neighborhood drainage systems are designed to retain water in swales and onsite retention ponds. With prior authorization from the Lake Worth Drainage District, excess stormwater may be discharged from neighborhood systems into District canals through control structures with fixed or operable weirs to prevent flooding of property.

I have standing water is my driveway, is this considered flooding?

Since the mid-1970s, development standards for drainage systems have been regulated through design and permitting to ensure flood protection. Average rainfall will flow into onsite stormwater retention ponds through swales and drains. During heavy rain events, systems are designed to protect house floor pads. Temporary flooding of streets, sidewalks and driveways is expected and is part of the drainage design. These low-lying areas will hold back stormwater keeping it away from homes.

Who do I call if I experience flooding from a storm or natural disaster?

If your neighborhood is part of a residential association, you should contact your property manager or board first. In many cases these individuals and LWDD have already communicated about conditions. Other property owners can contact the local government responsible for ensuring that ditches and canals are adequate, clean and functioning properly. This may be the Lake Worth Drainage District, your local municipality, Palm Beach County or the South Florida Water Management District. Before storm season, property owners should have the name and contact information for this entity easily available.

What is the Lake Worth Drainage District’s role in flood protection?

  • Working with local governments and residential communities during and after a storm to provide emergency discharge of excess stormwater.
  • Operating and maintaining more than 20 major and minor water control structures
  • Permitting drainage infrastructure discharging into LWDD canals.
  • Maintenance of approximately 500 miles of canal and 1,000 miles of rights-of-way for the free flow of water and emergency access
  • Assisting local governments in emergency response during disasters, when called upon.

How do stormwater ponds help reduce flooding impacts?

Stormwater ponds help control flooding by slowing down stormwater surges and absorbing rainwater before it reaches properties. They provide for the control rate of drainage through discharge control structures or weirs. They also help filter out nutrients and sediments collected by storm water as it runs over the ground before pollutants reach fragile waterways.

Who is responsible for maintaining my neighborhood stormwater pond?

Maintenance of private stormwater systems is the responsibility of the developer or homeowners association. You can find out who owns and maintains stormwater areas by visiting the Property Appraiser’s website at www.pbcgov.org/papa and searching for the parcel and its owner. Permits and design plans for a community’s drainage system can be obtained through the South Florida Water Management District. They offer an online permit search on their website at www.sfwmd.gov/permitting.

What can I do to reduce the potential of flooding?

  • Report clogged culverts or slow-moving water in canals or swales to your property management company or responsible local government. Report issues when you see them to allow adequate time for maintenance or repairs before a storm.
  • Keep grass clippings and other debris out of stormwater drainage systems to prevent clogging and loss of stormwater storage and treatment capacity.
  • Clean out rain gutters and extend downspouts at least four feet from structures. Direct the discharge away from canals to avoid washouts in canal banks.
  • Become informed and learn more about what to expect and how to protect your home and sign-up to receive our newsletter at our website lwdd.net. The monthly publication contains articles on important public safety topics like water management, quality and quantity.

Can the Lake Worth Drainage District control water levels in canals for flood relief?

Yes. Water levels in canals are monitored and control structures flood gates may be opened to release excess stormwater for flood control. However, control structures must operate to ensure sufficient water is released for flood control without letting so much water go that we threaten the stability of the underground aquifer and municipal wellfields. While the Lake Worth Drainage District operates control structures within its canal system, it does not control flood control discharge points which are managed by the South Florida Water management District.

Does flooding occur only during hurricanes?

No. Flooding may be experienced when we receive extreme volumes of rainfall in a brief period and rainfall exceeds the water management system design. Flooding may also occur when culverts and storm drains are blocked with materials and vegetation which slows down drainage. It is important to note that you do not need to be in a designated flood zone to experience flooding. If rainfall is severe or the free flow of water is hampered, flooding can occur miles inland from a canal or other waterbody. Residents should be aware that flood insurance is not automatically part of the homeowner policy. The choice to obtain flood insurance is a personal one and should be discussed with your insurance agent. Flood insurance information can be found at www.floodsmart.gov.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 561-498-5363 or info@lwdd.net for more information.