Encroachment on Right-of-way

Residents Using Public Land

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Many people in southeastern Palm Beach County live adjacent to a Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal. To enhance their backyard, residents look to install landscape materials or structures such as swing-sets, fences, and patio decks. Often without realizing it, these enhancements are installed on LWDD’s rights-of-way which is publicly managed land.

Effective flood control depends on LWDD’s extensive network of canals to move stormwater away from homes after major weather events. Vegetation and other structures on the canal rights-of-way can severely hinder LWDD’s ability to keep residents safe during and after severe storms. Trees and large shrubs can topple over in high winds blocking emergency access along the canal bank or fall into the canal channel blocking the flow of water. Encroachments not only endanger the residents adjacent to the canal but also individuals living miles inland.

Maintaining water flow within the canal channel and access along the right-of-way is vital for public safety. It requires daily maintenance by LWDD crews as well as the removal of identified encroachments. LWDD encourages all property owners to contact us prior to the installation of landscaping or structures to ensure it is not located on public land. No matter how expensive the installation or beautiful, unauthorized encroachments will have to be removed. Considering installation and removal, this can be a costly mistake for homeowners.

If you live adjacent to a canal, contact LWDD staff at info@lwdd.net to verify the location of your next project and help us keep you and your neighbors safe.

2 men standing in a field

Drones Used For Flood Control

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Approximately four years ago, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) began implementing the flying of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) commonly known as drones to monitor the canals, rights-of-way and flood control structures within its 200 square miles of the service area.

The drones are used as a professional tool to gather data, take images and video. The ‘bird’s eye-view’ provides a unique perspective that can quickly identify issues so that corrective actions can be taken before they develop into costly repairs. Due to their small size, the drones can reach areas difficult to inspect from the ground. They perform quickly and in a repetitive manner providing accurate and consistent data. Drone flights can cover large geographical areas using a two-man crew in a stationary location. This helps minimize inspection costs and avoids exposure of personnel to possible environmental risks and injuries.

LWDD deployed its drones after Hurricanes Irma & Michael. The results were very beneficial in post-storm assessments by aiding recovery teams to efficiently identify damage sites and prioritize response efforts. The data captured by the drone flights can be mapped and used for future emergency response planning by water managers.

LWDD’s operators strictly adhere to the Federal Aviation Association’s (FAA) regulations and are cognizant of surrounding homes during flights. The use of UAS systems is one of the more recent additions to LWDD’s flood control toolbox. For more information on the various methods used for flood control, visit https://lwddnet.wpengine.com/managing-water/overview.

Backyard landscaping encroaching on right of way

Mistake May Cost You

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Homeowners, be aware that plantings, hardscaping, and structures within LWDD’s canal rights-of-way are not allowed. Unpermitted encroachments within the right-of-way will have to be removed. Considering the expense of installation and removal, this can be a costly mistake. Don’t waste your time or money. It is always a good idea to contact us and verify property lines before any construction project. Send us an email at info@lwdd.net and be sure before you plant.

Man in truck

Use Of Herbicides

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With more than 500 miles of canals, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) must conduct continual maintenance of its waterways in order to provide its residents with effective flood control. An important maintenance function is the control of aquatic vegetation growth within the canal, which can block drainage discharge points and flood control structures.

Controlling the growth of aquatic plants is a never-ending task and requires the use of both herbicide treatments and mechanical methods to remove unwanted vegetation. LWDD strictly adheres to the regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the application of various herbicides associated with aquatic vegetation management. Employees responsible for the treatment of aquatic vegetation are trained and certified annually on the proper application and handling of any herbicides used. Although herbicide application is a very effective tool, LWDD is increasing its efforts to mechanically remove aquatic vegetation and reduce the use of herbicides in its maintenance practices.

Using mechanical means to remove aquatic vegetation includes the use of containment booms. Containment booms are floating ribbon-like structures that span the canal cross-section and extend one foot both above and below the water surface. As water flows through a canal or as winds blow across the water’s surface, floating debris will move through the canal network. The booms serve as a physical barrier, “corralling” the debris while allowing water to continue to flow unimpeded. The booms allow crews to effectively collect, treat and dispose of the material.

Due to South Florida’s subtropical weather and rapid vegetation growth, the use of aquatic herbicide may always be needed to some degree. However, LWDD will continue to look for ways to reduce its use of herbicides within the canal system while still providing for the safety and welfare of our residents.

FECON working

Canal Rehabilitation Update

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Over the years, certain portions of the Lake Worth Drainage District’s (LWDD) canal rights-of-way have become encumbered by encroachments that can obstruct LWDD’s ability to provide flood control.  The Canal Rehabilitation Program was established in 2015 to identify these canal areas and systematically remove these encroachments. This work is necessary to facilitate effective flood control for public safety and provide unobstructed access for emergency flood control response and routine canal maintenance.

The rehabilitation program is divided into two phases. The first phase of these rehabilitation efforts is to remove all non-native vegetation within the canal right-of-way.  Any native vegetation that is determined to interfere with LWDD’s maintenance operations may also be removed. Phase 2 will address structural encroachments such as fences, sheds, patios decks, and some vegetation that could not be accessed during Phase 1.

To date, the LWDD has completed the removal of vegetation from 97.9 miles or 54% of the more than 180.8 miles of encumbered canal rights-of-way. The expected completion of vegetation removal is 2022.