District: Project Fights Polk Flooding

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is making repairs to the Lake Hamilton outfall structure, also known as the P-8 structure, the P-8 canal and the Peace Creek canal to further protect residents from flooding risks. The P-8 water-control structure and canal were constructed in 1964 by the Peace River Valley Authority. The authority was dissolved in the late 1960s and the district assumed the responsibility for the operation and maintenance for the P-8 structure and canal.

Beginning in 2005, the district also assumed the maintenance responsibility for the Peace Creek canal from the P-8 canal downstream to its confluence with the Peace River near Bartow. The district, as part of its normal maintenance, hires professional engineering firms to inspect all of the water control structures in its 16-county area on a regular basis to assess their overall condition and to identify any needed maintenance or repairs.

Last year, the district's engineering consultant informed district staff that the four galvanized metal culverts at the P-8 structure were severely corroded. The consultant estimated the remaining service life of the culverts to be between one to three years, or until 2010. Based on the consultant's recommendations, the district elected to replace the four deteriorated metal culverts with aluminum culverts, which will provide a more reliable, cost-effective, and long-term solution. District crews recently completed the installation of the new culverts, rather than hiring a contractor, which saved taxpayer dollars and ensured a quality installation. In addition to replacing the culverts, the district is also reconstructing the P-8 canal embankments from the P-8 structure downstream to the Peace Creek canal.

In conjunction with the embankment work, an earthen plug that has existed at the confluence with the Peace Creek canal since its construction 1964 is also being removed to improve the P-8 canal's ability to move flood waters. The removal of the plug is a direct result of a district flood-protection study that indicated greater flood control could be obtained by its removal. Prior to 2005, the Peace Creek canal was not regularly maintained and deteriorated to the condition that existed at the time of the devastating 2004 hurricane season.

Since assuming maintenance responsibility in 2005, the district has diligently worked with adjacent property owners to obtain the necessary easements needed to properly maintain the canal. We expect to have the system in a readily maintainable condition within the next 12 months to 18 months, which will greatly improve flood-control benefits to area residents.

In the future, additional improvements, such as restoration of previously drained lands or off-stream water-storage areas, may also be considered to further improve flood protection benefits and provide water restoration through detention and aquifer recharge.

More recommendations for improved flood control best management practices will also be contained in the final district water-management plan when it is completed in 2009.

For more information on the district's water control structures, please callthe Structure Operations section toll free at 800-423-1476,extension 4515.

[ Michael L. Holtkamp, P.E., is director of the Operations Department at Southwest Florida Water Management District. ]