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

Hillsboro Canal BankStabilization Project

The South Florida WaterManagement Districtis a regional, governmentalagency that oversees thewater resources in thesouthern half of the state.It is the oldest and largestof the state’s five watermanagement districts.

Our Mission is to manageand protect water resourcesof the region by balancingand improving water quality,flood control, naturalsystems and water supply.

The South Florida WaterManagement District is

responsible for operatingand maintaining theregional water managementsystem that provides floodcontrol and protects watersupplies for South Florida’s7.7 million residents.Flowing along the countyline between Palm Beachand Broward counties, theHillsboro (G-8) Canal is amajor component of theregional system. The Districthas begun a multiyear effortto ensure a 7.6-mile section of the canal caneffectively move water as designed foranother 50 years.

Repairs Needed to EnsureFlood ProtectionThe SFWMD’s Operations, Maintenance andConstruction Division conducts regularinspections of the regional watermanagement system — which includes morethan 1,600 miles of canals — to prioritizeprojects necessary for the system’s continuedoperation.

Through the inspection program, the Districtidentified the need to repair and protect thebanks of the Hillsboro Canal. Over decades of

service, extended sections of the canal bankshave eroded or detached from the bank slopeand fallen into the canal. These bank failureslimit the flow of water in the canal, creatingthe potential for flooding impacts in PalmBeach and Broward counties during a majorstorm or hurricane.

Bank erosion is also known to contribute tothe buildup of sediment around coastalstructures, such as the G-56 on the easternend of the Hillsboro Canal. Accumulatedsediment needs to be removed to ensure thatthese structures can provide adequate floodcontrol protection.

The Hillsboro Canal Bank Stabilization Projectwill address these issues through canal bank

repairs and dredging that will improve thestability of the canal banks and restore thecanal to its intended capacity. The Districtis designing a cost-effective solution thatwill also maximize flood protection forsurrounding areas.

JANUARY 2012

Bank erosion on the Hillsboro Canal contributes to the buildup ofsediment around coastal structures, such as the G-56 (above) located

on the eastern end of the canal just west of Military Trail.

The Canal Bank Stabilization project willrepair banks along the Hillsboro Canal anddredge a 7.6-mile section – from about Mili-tary Trail to 3 miles west of U.S. 441 – toensure water can be moved through the canalto maximize flood protection.

HILLSBORO CANAL BANK STABALIZATION PROJECT

Need to Clear Portions of the Right-of-WayThe Hillsboro Canal’s right-of-way extends several feet landwardfrom the top of the canal bank. The placement of encroachmentssuch as trees, docks and fences within the District right-of-wayrequires a Right-of-Way Occupancy Permit, which is a revocablelicense (Chapter 40E-6, Florida Administrative Code). Someresidents who live along the Hillsboro Canal have plantedvegetation or added structures such as boat docks within theDistrict’s right-of-way along the canal.

To guarantee the integrity of the Hillsboro Canal Bank StabilizationProject, the District will need to remove some of theseencroachments. Residents may be able to replace some of the

structures following completion of the canal bank stabilizationproject, provided the structures meet the regulatory and projectoperation/maintenance requirements.

Many — but not all — of the structures that could be removed havebeen permitted by the District. These permits protect the District’sability to effectively and safely use canal and levee rights-of-way inthe regional system while providing for compatible public andprivate uses.

A Right-of-Way Occupancy Permit:• Conveys no property rights to the permittee but

acknowledges that the requested use is consistent with theapplicable rules and District missions

• Is required prior to connecting with, placing structures in oracross, discharging into or making use of the canal andlevee system or “Works of the District” and certain othercanals and works

• Can be revoked if the permitted use interferes or willinterfere with the construction, alteration, operation ormaintenance of present or proposed works or lands of theDistrict

• Applies to rights-of-way acquired for the canal and leveesystem that makes up the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’Central and Southern Florida Project and other canals andworks

For More Information …More information on the Hillsboro Canal Bank Stabilization Projectis available at www.sfwmd.gov/pbco.

Palm Beach County residents with questions may contact LauraCorry, SFWMD Outreach Representative, at lcorry@sfwmd.gov or(561) 682-6012 or Pam Mac’Kie, SFWMD IntergovernmentalRepresentative, at pmackie@sfwmd.gov or (561) 682-2655.

Broward County residents with questions may contact CaroleMorris, SFWMD Intergovernmental Representative, atcmorris@sfwmd.gov or (954) 452-4814, ext. 4987.

Approximate Timeframe for Project Implementation• Design – January 2012 through March 2013

• Construction – June 2013 through March 2015

South Florida Water Management District3301 Gun Club RoadWest Palm Beach, Florida 33406561-686-8800 • 800-432-2045www.sfwmd.gov

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24680West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680

EN01/15/12

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Planting vegetationor trees along thecanal’s right-of-waymay cause portionsof the bank to fallinto the canal, limit-ing water flow andcreating the poten-tial for flooding dur-ing major storms.

The Hillsboro Canal’s right-of-way extends several feet landward fromthe top of the bank. The placement of encroachments such as a boatdock have caused the bank slope to erode or become detached andfall into the canal.