In preparation for Hurricane Dennis, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is removing a large tree and several smaller trees that are blocking the Peace Creek Canal in Bartow. The trees recently fell into the creek because the area is so saturated.
The District has budgeted $10,000 to complete the work today. Hess Construction Company is the contractor removing the debris. The company is one of the contractors the District used to remove hurricane-related debris and their work crews are still in the area.
The work is consistent with the District’s areas of responsibility for flood protection. If debris in the waterways is not cleared out, the potential for flooding and damage to bridges and stormwater management infrastructure would be increased.
This comes after the District, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), spent just over $1 million to remove hurricane-generated debris from the canal. This was part of a larger $8 million project to remove debris from the Peace River and its tributaries within Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Polk Counties. Portions of the Alafia River and Flint Creek in Hillsborough County were also included.