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Home , Canal, Flood, Flood control

S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T

Managing Before and After the

ON THE INSIDE I Our Three-Tiered Southern ’s geography and climate dictate that we may System occasionally experience flooding. South Florida Water Management I System Components District; federal, state, and local governments; developers; and I Why Permitting homeowners’ associations share the responsibility for managing Is Required excess water. Residents can help by learning about our regional I Drainage Problems to drainage system and reporting or correcting problems Look For both before and after a storm. I Understanding the Basics of Southern Florida’s terrain is —low and flat. From Okeechobee south to Florida Bay, the slope of the is only one inch per mile. Our climate is hot and wet with seasonal of 50 to 60 inches falling per year, mostly in the summer. Marshes and swamps once covered much of the southern portion of the peninsula. Then, with the creation of a regional flood control system, the area was opened for and development. More than 7.5 million people now call southern Florida home and depend on the South Florida Water Management District to oversee the operation and maintenance of our regional flood control system. A Three-Tiered System Our interconnected system achieves Flooding may happen in our area when maximum benefit when all components large amounts of occur over a short are well maintained and kept in good period of time or from a single, heavy working order. As in a chain of dominoes, storm, tropical system, or hurricane. After each component must properly function these , we rely on a man-made and connect to the next to allow for flood control system to drain excess water optimum drainage conditions. However, from the low, flat . even with well-engineered systems, flooding may still occur during and after Flood control is achieved through an extreme rain events. interconnected drainage system. Our The South Florida Water three-tiered system can be compared to Factors Affecting Drainage Management District a roadway system. Small streets in neighborhoods and towns carry traffic to Existing levels in surface and operates the major , larger, secondary highways. Secondary affect the ability of drainage or drainage superhighways, highways, in turn, connect and carry traffic systems to receive or store new rainfall. If surface waters such as canals, and for our region. These primary to turnpikes and superhighways, or our primary system. are already full, they cannot receive canals are the first tier in our or transport additional water. Just like our three-tiered drainage system. Similarly, neighborhood , swales, highways, when they cannot receive more and conduits, referred to as our tertiary cars from feeder because they are system, carry excess to jammed or have reached their carrying secondary canals. In turn, secondary canals capacity, water cannot flow into primary operated by water control districts, cities, canals if they are full or if the flow has or counties connect and carry excess water become blocked. Additionally, if the to our primary system. Primary underground water is already high, canals operated by the South Florida water cannot soak into the saturated Water Management District are the ground. After a heavy rain, water in drainage superhighways for our region. streets, swales, yards, and low-lying areas is expected and normal. Drainage Components During and after storms, excess rainwater and Connections is typically discharged through canals and Large and small structures, structures to the . However, , , gates, , pumps, , and even the phase of the moon and , even street grates can affect to the sea. When tides are all components of our are high, the same that allow drainage system. Water bodies for the flow of excess freshwater to the such as , lakes, and ocean become salinity barriers preventing lagoons also play a role in saltwater from entering, or intruding into water management. While they our underground, freshwater . do provide a beautiful view, their real function is to hold Protection through Permitting excess rainwater or to carry it off to regional storage areas or Development activities that affect how to the ocean. much rain soaks into the ground, how much water leaves a , and where Swales and grassed water it will go must be permitted by water storage areas are important management districts. Permits protect the features in water management water of the state and provide systems. In addition to storing for adequate drainage while ensuring that and conveying water, they help other people or are not recharge water in the adversely affected. underground and improve by catching Permits also address water quality issues and filtering nutrients. and protect . Water leaving a Drainage system components such as pipes, culverts, swales, and grassy areas need regular maintenance. Taking action to report or correct potential problems, especially before the rainy season, is an effective way in which you can help keep our interconnected system in A storm produces 4 to 6 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Due to our unique climate working order. and geography, standing water is normal and can be expected after a heavy rainfall. property can transport excess nutrients Helping to Maintain the System from fertilizers or animal wastes, To function properly, stormwater drainage herbicides, pesticides, oil, or systems must be kept in good working other substances that can pollute water order. Homeowners’ Associations, property and cause problems downstream. managers, and residents all play a role in Wetlands are vital natural resources managing flood situations by becoming protected by the state. They provide for familiar with the drainage system in their habitat, flood protection, own area and taking action when needed. , and water quality benefits. Just as northerners check their heating systems prior to winter, those who reside Drainage factors considered when issuing in southern Florida should inspect, permits are based on historical rainfall maintain and repair drainage systems data and generally address the following before the rainy season. Inspections three levels of storm conditions: should be repeated when a major storm • A Road Storm – 4 to 6 inches of rainfall threatens. This is what you should do: in a 24-hour period. Water remains • Find out if your neighborhood system is standing in yards, swales and ditches, but inspected regularly and check to see if the crowns of roads remain passable. trash, dead and are • A Design Storm – 7 to 10 inches of being removed. rainfall in a 72-hour period. Roads, as • Become familiar with the permits that well as swales, ditches and yards flood, authorize drainage in your area and note but buildings usually remain dry. changes that may go beyond the specifics • A Hundred-Year Storm – 10 to 20 inches or intent of the permit. or more of rainfall in a 72-hour period. • Keep a record of the names, addresses Many houses and businesses can be and phone numbers of your Homeowners’ expected to flood. Association or property manager, the local In every county, some areas remain drainage district, and the South Florida prone to flooding. Most are in older Water Management District to report neighborhoods where drainage systems potential problems. were in place before permitting requirements were Recognizing Drainage Problems established. Residents, property managers, or contractors should periodically check the components of the drainage system to • Weirs or other discharge control DID YOU KNOW? ensure peak performance. Inspections structures: Check for obstructions. should include: Anything that hinders water flow should I Maintenance and upkeep of community drainage facilities are • Stormwater , pipes and be removed. The structure should have a typically the responsibility of culverts: Grates should be unobstructed “baffle” or trash collector to prevent flow Homeowners’ Associations. and sediment under the grate should be blockage and hold back floating oils and removed. Pipe openings and connections from moving downstream. I Standing water in streets and to culverts should be free of sediment, • Dikes and berms: Worn-down berms yards is not considered unusual, trash, and debris. and rainfall-created washouts should be but rather a critical component • Swales and grassed water storage immediately repaired, compacted and of your neighborhood areas: Swales may need to be regraded replanted in compliance with the permit. drainage facilities. or replanted. It is a good idea to compare the existing slope to the permitted design Our Wet Way of I conditions and water plan before the work begins. All heights, Understanding our way of life is knowing levels are monitored around the depths, and lengths of side slopes must we live in a region where seasonal rains clock, 365 days a year, and floodgates are opened if heavy meet permit specifications. Grassed swales fall over low, flat lands that offer little rains are expected. also require regular mowing, and natural drainage. Most drainage is undesirable exotic vegetation should through interconnected waterways and I If you live in an area serviced by be removed. structures. Our three-tiered system a local drainage or water control • Ditches or canals: Trash, sediment, requires ongoing maintenance and repair district, it is noted on your county and dead vegetation should be completely for optimal performance. Action should be property bill. removed and properly disposed of so it taken before the rainy season. won’t affect any other water conveyance You can help to lessen the odds that your I A portion of the property system or water storage area. Right-of- home or community will flood by learning you pay to the South Florida Water Management District is way clearances should remain open about our regional flood control system for regional flood protection. and unobstructed. and reporting or correcting problems. Flood management is a shared • Lake systems: Trash and dead I “Freddy,” the friendly alligator, vegetation should be cleared from the responsibility and you can make appears on canal signs located shoreline. Shoreline grasses should be a difference. near all primary canals operated mowed, unless it is a preserve. by the South Florida Water Side slope or washouts on the Management District. banks should be repaired and replanted. Pipe or connections between lakes should be clear and open.

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the in the southern half of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state’s five water management districts. Our Mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems, and .

South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 561-686-8800 • 800-432-2045 www.sfwmd.gov MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24680 West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680

EN09/09/09