The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has activated the Tampa Bypass Canal System in response to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby to help protect the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.
The Hillsborough River has reached the activation criteria and the District has closed Structure S-155 as of 6 p.m. tonight. The Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) is now considered activated, and the empty reservoir will begin to fill with floodwaters. This action stops all or part of the flow of the Hillsborough River before it reaches the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa and stores it in the HFDA. The stored water can then be safely moved down to McKay Bay using the Tampa Bypass Canal. The Hillsborough River will still receive a significant amount of water from downstream tributary Cypress Creek and local runoff.
Earlier today, the District closed navigation on the Hillsborough River at Structure S-155 to meet Federal safety standards. Due to the high velocity of water from Tropical Storm Debby, boat barriers were put in place where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The S-155 structure is located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75. It can be seen from I-75 as you cross the Hillsborough River.
The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Floodwaters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with floodwaters from the river and the surrounding 450-square-mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which has five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.
In addition to providing flood control, the Tampa Bypass Canal also serves as a water supply source to help meet the drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay area.
For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system.