Get In Touch

Now booking for Spring 2025! Get your community’s lakeshore restoration scheduled today!

Stormwater Management Systems in South Florida - Concrete Pipes

Over time, a concrete pipe loses its original dirt foundation due to erosion. This leads to settling and separation in the pipes as seen in this picture. If not repaired, the end piece will eventually separate completely and fall into the lake. The South Florida Water Management District and local County Code Enforcement will begin issuing citations and possibly fines before, during, or after this occurs.

Heavy equipment is needed to reattach the end cap to the main pipe. A specialized gasket ensures a good seal. This repair can get very expensive, especially if large excavators or cranes are involved.

Once the pipe is properly repaired, any eroded land at the top of the main pipe must be restored, graded, and sodded. Then a polypropylene geotextile is secured around the entirety of the pipe- right at the shoreline.

A rip rap “collar” is placed over all of the geotextile in order to hold it in place. (If the pipe is excessively clogged with sediment, it is a good idea to have it cleaned out as well.) This collar should help prevent erosion and support the pipe for decades to come. The pipe is now in compliance with the Water Management District and local municipalities.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Recent Posts

Stormwater Management System

June 7, 2024

Each planned community in Florida is required to have its own stormwater management system. It is a structured approach to manage and control the runoff water from rainstorms. These systems are designed to mitigate the negative impacts of stormwater, which can include flooding, erosion, and water pollution. Here are the key components and purposes of such a system: Retention and Detention Ponds: These ponds are designed to collect and store stormwater. Retention ponds hold water indefinitely, while detention ponds temporarily store water and slowly release it to prevent flooding. Swales and Ditches: These are shallow, vegetated channels that help move rainwater away from developed areas and towards larger bodies of water or stormwater management structures. Storm Drains and Inlets: These structures collect runoff from streets and other impervious surfaces, directing it into the stormwater management system. Permeable Pavements: These surfaces allow water to infiltrate through them, reducing runoff and promoting groundwater recharge. Landscaped areas: are designed to absorb and filter stormwater, using plants and soil to remove pollutants. Underground Systems: These include pipes and vaults that collect and convey stormwater to other parts of the system. It also includes outfall structures, weirs, and wells.

Maintenance Plans & Reporting

June 7, 2024

In South Florida, a long-term maintenance plans for lakes in private communities are essential to ensure that these stormwater management systems function effectively over time. These maintenance plans are typically required as part of the permitting process and are designed to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to protect public health and safety. Here are the key components of these maintenance plans: Regular inspections are required, often on a quarterly or annual basis, depending on the specific requirements of the permit and the characteristics of the stormwater system. Inspections should cover the entire lake system, including inlets, outlets, embankments, control structures, and the lake itself. Inspection have reporting requirements set forth by each county in South Florida. Reports should be documented and kept on file, with copies submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities if required. Floating debris and trash should be removed regularly to prevent blockages and maintain aesthetic and environmental quality. Additionally, beneficial littoral (seasonally-flooded) plants should be managed to maintain their health and effectiveness in filtering pollutants. Invasive species must be controlled or removed. One of the most important factors (and most overlooked) is that the littoral plant around the shoreline must be maintained to prevent erosion and provide habitat for wildlife. This includes spraying herbicides, hand-pulling, and planting new littoral plants as needed to stay in compliance.

Lakes with Specific Volumes

June 7, 2024

Engineers are the ones that determine the volume that lakes (or retention/detention ponds) need to be in planned communities in Florida through a comprehensive analysis of several factors. This process involves hydrologic and hydraulic calculations, regulatory requirements, and specific site conditions. The first factor is Hydrologic Analysis in which Engineers use historical rainfall data to determine the amount and intensity of rainfall events that the system needs to handle. This data is often provided by government agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Secondly, watershed characteristics help determine the size, shape, land use, and soil type of the watershed (the area that drains into the lake) are analyzed. This helps determine how much runoff will be generated during a storm (using a period of years as an average). Rain runoff coefficients are different on each land surface (e.g., asphalt, grass, rooftops) and generate different amounts of runoff. Engineers assign runoff coefficients to various land uses within the community to estimate the total runoff. A hydraulic analysis looks at peak flow calculations. They calculate the peak flow rate which is the maximum rate at which stormwater will enter the lake. The volume of the lake must be sufficient to store the runoff from design storms (e.g., a 25-year or 100-year storm event). This involves calculating the required storage volume to ensure that the lake can hold the water without causing flooding. Regulatory Requirements Engineers must comply with local, state, and federal stormwater management regulations. In Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and various Water Management Districts (e.g., South Florida Water Management District) provide guidelines and requirements for stormwater systems. Regulations typically specify design storm criteria, such as the volume of runoff to be managed based on certain storm events. Engineers design the lakes to meet or exceed these criteria. Soil permeability and the presence of high groundwater tables influence the design of stormwater lakes. Engineers conduct soil tests to determine infiltration rates and groundwater levels. Also, the presence of existing lakes, rivers, or wetlands can impact the design and volume requirements of new stormwater lakes.