The Southwest Florida Management District recently signed two agreements with Sarasota County to move forward on projects that will help reduce flooding associated with heavy rains in the Hudson Bayou and Matheny Creek watersheds.
Hudson Bayou Watershed
The Hudson Bayou Watershed spans approximately 3.8 miles in Sarasota County and includes the South Pelican Drive area, which experiences chronic flooding.
The project will construct a pond downstream of the area to provide additional stormwater storage. The project will also improve the flow of runoff to the pond by installing larger culverts and widening the channels between flooded areas. The project is also expected to improve water quality by increasing the amount of time runoff stays in the new storage pond.
This project is estimated to cost up to $1,044,000. Funding is divided between the District’s Manasota Basin Board and Sarasota County. The Basin Board has approved $200,000 this fiscal year. Additional funding in future fiscal years, including $150,000 requested for FY2008, is contingent upon Basin Board approval.
The project is expected to be complete by January 2009.
Matheny Creek Watershed
The Matheny Creek Watershed spans approximately 2.7 miles in Sarasota County and includes the Siesta Heights area, which experiences frequent flooding due to a combination of heavy rains, inadequate drainage and high tides.
The project involves installing larger culverts, wider grass swales and a sediment trap, which will improve water quality by removing large pollutants and sediments before discharging into Matheny Creek.
This multi-year project is estimated to cost up to $1.1 million. Funding will be divided between the District’s Manasota Basin Board and Sarasota County. The Basin Board has approved $212,500 this fiscal year. Additional funding in future fiscal years, including $212,500 requested for FY2008, is contingent upon Basin Board approval.
The project is expected to be complete by January 2009.