Three’s Company
The Lake Worth Drainage District is committed to ensuring preparedness year-round, primarily focusing on providing effective stormwater and flood protection for nearly half of the residents in southeastern Palm Beach County. This dedication has been exemplified over the past 110 years through continuous service to the community.
The success of these efforts is heavily reliant on a collaborative framework involving multiple stakeholders. Flood control is effectively managed through an interconnected, three-tiered drainage system.
At the local level, neighborhood drainage systems, classified as tertiary systems, are operated and maintained by property owners or residential associations. The Lake Worth Drainage District oversees the secondary flood control canals, while the South Florida Water Management District is responsible for primary flood control. This cooperative arrangement enables all three entities to work in concert to safeguard residents, particularly during significant rainfall events.
Homeowners Associations and Property Management Teams are charged with the management and maintenance of neighborhood drainage systems, which include storm drains, culverts, and retention ponds within their respective communities. These organizations bear a substantial responsibility, as their operational decisions significantly influence the well-being of the residents. Inadequate management may result in prolonged flooding in residential areas, leading to distress in the community.
The Lake Worth Drainage District’s role encompasses the management of stormwater from all communities, facilitating its movement through an extensive system. Currently, the District maintains over 500 miles of canals and more than 1,000 miles of associated rights-of-way. The Lake Worth Drainage District utilizes 20 major water control structures to regulate water levels within its jurisdiction. Through rigorous management practices, the Lake Worth Drainage District ensures it possesses the capacity necessary to address the stormwater needs of all residents in southeastern Palm Beach County.
The operational responsibilities undertaken by the Lake Worth Drainage District are mirrored on a much larger scale by those of the South Florida Water Management District, which administers water management efforts for South and Central Florida. The SFWMD is responsible for managing over 2,175 miles of canals, 2,130 miles of levees and berms, 915 water control structures, 620 project culverts, and 89 pump stations. The South Florida Water Management District maintains all requisite equipment and operates with specialized expertise to ensure that this extensive water management infrastructure is adequately prepared to respond to environmental challenges.
All in all, the task of protecting our residents has a unique structure that allows everyone to play a role in keeping our communities safe. Visit our website, lwdd.net/managing-water, to learn more.
