Canals

Canal and Lake Bank Stabilization

Lakes and canals can be found throughout the City of Coconut Creek. Maintaining and protecting the banks of these waterways can be a daunting task. This brochure provides tips and guidelines for maintaining local community lake and canal banks, ensuring that you will be able to enjoy them as an amenity for years to come.


Types of Canal and Lake Banks
There are different construction types of canal and lake banks in Coconut Creek. Three of the most common ones are geofabric bags (commonly known as geotubes), seawalls/bulkheads, and stabilized earth banks. Each construction is unique and has differing maintenance needs.

Geofabric

Geotubes
Geotubes are permeable, soil-filled, engineered fabrics that have been installed at several locations throughout the city such as Donaldson Park, Windmill Park and South Creek. Frequent inspections for tears and maintaining sod coverage is essential to extending the life of geotubes. Maintaining a clean surrounding free from sharp objects, such as furniture and toys, may also help eliminate the potential risk of rips and tears. Over time, the integrity of the geotube will wear down and repairs or replacement may be necessary to maintain the canal or lake bank.

Seawall

Seawalls or Bulkheads
Seawalls or bulkheads (concrete and metal) can be found in the South Creek community along many properties. They should be inspected by qualified professionals every few years to ensure their structural integrity. In many instances, minor cracks and holes can be fixed with marine grout. If left unchecked, minor issues can lead to steel corrosion and structural failure that may require professional and costly repairs. Furthermore, structural failures could allow water to flow around the seawall or bulkhead, which will cause soil erosion leading to the collapse of the canal or lake bank.

Stabilzed Earth Bank

Stabilized Earth Banks
The vast majority of properties within South Florida and Coconut Creek adjacent to canals and lakes have stabilized earth banks. They generally have a clean look with minimal vegetation to provide water views. However, due to weathering and canal level fluctuations, natural erosion is of constant concern. Sod (grass) should be regularly inspected and maintained to the water line. Herbicide usage should be applied carefully to not destroy existing vegetation. This is because the plants’ roots help hold the natural bank’s shape, slow erosion, and minimize the amount of soil seeping into the waterways. Over time, soil and sod may need to be restored to replace eroded material.

Some banks may benefit from aquatic plants to further protect a lake bank from erosion. This is known as littoral shelf vegetation. Before aquatic vegetation is planted, approval must be received by the parties responsible for maintaining the lake bank.


Canal Maintenance Responsibilities

Maintenance Responsibilities

Who is responsible for maintaining canal and lake banks throughout Coconut Creek? This can sometimes be confusing and difficult to determine. Some lakes and canals are privately owned and some are publicly owned. In areas such as Wynmoor, Centura Parc, and parts of The Township, most waterways are maintained by the homeowners association (HOA). For other areas, such as canals in South Creek, the waterways are publicly owned. Much like grass swales and landscaping along public roadways are maintained by the adjacent property owner, canal and lake banks along public waterways are also maintained by the adjacent property owner. However, such maintenance does not include dredging, which is conducted by the public agency that owns the waterway. To find information on waterbody ownership, visit the Broward County Property Appraisers website at BCPA.net and select Maps & Aerials. For any questions regarding lake maintenance, please call the Utilities and Engineering Department at 954-973-6786.

BCPA.net

Other Waterway Information

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) The South Florida Water Management District has direct control over the Hillsboro Canal and C-14 Canal. These canals generally border the northern and southern ends of the City. SFWMD is tasked with ensuring adequate water supply and flood control, which requires regular fluctuations of water levels to prepare for droughts or heavy rainfall events.

South Creek canals are directly connected to the C-14 canal near Atlantic Boulevard and, therefore, experience regular water level fluctuations from SFWMD.

FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT SFWMD.GOV
PHONE: 561-686-8800 | 800-432-2045 (Florida Only)
STREET ADDRESS: 3301 Gun Club Road - West Palm Beach, FL 33406


Cocomar Water Control District

The Cocomar Water Control District (Cocomar) manages water supply and flood protection throughout many parts of the City through a series of canals, lakes, flowage easements, and control structures. They also provide algae and aquatic vegetation control and debris removal throughout their flowage easements. Water levels and control structures generally north of Coconut Creek Parkway are managed by Cocomar.

COCOMAR WATER CONTROL DISTRICT
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 954-831-0751
EMERGENCY: 954-831-0765

Did You Know?

Broward County requires all drainage systems be inspected by a Professional Engineer (P.E.) per their 5-Year Surface Water Management License.


City-wide Maintenance and Responsibilities

A map of City-wide Maintenance and Responsibility
of Waterways and Preserves can be found here:


Questions or Concerns?

For any questions or concerns, please contact the City of Coconut Creek’s Utilities and Engineering Department at 954-973-6786.

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