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Resident Alice Finst on bank of LWDD canal looking at danger sign.

Water Safety Around Drainage Canals

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South Florida is an aquatic playground during hot summer months. The Lake Worth Drainage District’s canal system can appear to be an ideal place to cool-off and swim or spend a day fishing. However, it is important to understand that these inviting waterways can be dangerous.

District canals were not created for recreational use. They are designed to collect and convey stormwater to provide both flood control and water supply for residents and businesses within our boundary. Operation of this flood control system includes large water control structures which when opened can create a sudden change in a canal’s water elevation, as well as strong currents that may not be visible on the water’s surface. This current can catch swimmers and boaters by surprise. If close to an open structure, the undertow can create a strong enough force to pull swimmers and small boats under.

Canal rights-of-way do not have protective barriers, and banks may give way due to the soft sandy soil and rocks below. Once a person is in the water, it can be very difficult to climb out due to the steep side-slope of the canal bank. Depending on the time of day or location of the canal, cries for help may not be heard.

Many invisible dangers and submerged hazards exist in the canals like broken glass, scrap metal, bottles and cans, as well as wild animals. It is not unusual to see alligators, snapping turtles and snakes living in and near canals. Diving into a drainage canal is particularly dangerous because canal depths can vary significantly, and subsurface aquatic vegetation can tangle around extremities.

Stay safe and follow a few simple rules. Do not swim in a canal, instead head to the pool or beach. Keep a safe distance from the canal bank to avoid falling in the waterway. Always stay clear of water control structures. Visit the Drowning Prevention Coalition’s website for more water safety tips at http://discover.pbcgov.org/drowningprevention/.

L-50 Canal east Boca Raton After Hurricane Irma

LWDD’s Canal Rehabilitation In The City of Boca Raton

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At the request of Mayor Scott Singer on behalf of the City of Boca Raton, the Lake Worth Drainage District Board of Supervisors agreed at its July 11th Board Meeting to postpone vegetation removal along the L-48, L-49 and L-50 Canal rights-of-way within the City of Boca Raton. This postponement will allow the District and City the opportunity to work together and consider options for necessary canal rehabilitation on these canals prior to final action by the District’s Board of Supervisors on October 17, 2018.  The District will be moving forward with the following necessary canal work.

L-48 Canal:

  • Removal of stacked vegetation that was previously cut from right-of-way
  • Stump grinding vegetation previously cut along the south bank
  • Dredging silt from a portion of the channel adjacent to I-95
  • Excavation of shoaling east of Southwest 9th Avenue as may be necessary

L-49 Canal:

  • Placement of erosion control mats (jute fiber) along the top of canal banks west of 12th Avenue
  • Stump grinding of rubber tree previously removed west of Southwest 9th Avenue

L-50 Canal:

  • Inspection of outfall pipe located west of Southwest 8th Avenue, and remedial work of such as may be necessary
  • Removal of shoaling between 9th and 12th Avenues

Residents are reminded to take proactive measures for hurricane preparedness and sustainable tree maintenance by pruning trees away from drainage canals and refraining from planting trees or vegetation on drainage or utility easements and public rights-of-way.

Additional information and video on the District’s Canal Rehabilitation Program can be found on our website at https://lwddnet.wpengine.com/canal-maintenance/canal-rehabilitation. The City of Boca Raton’s website provides civic alerts at https://www.myboca.us/.