December Harns Marsh Nature Tour Scheduled
2008-11-19 16:07:05
November 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East County Water Control District (ECWCD) will hold a nature tour of Harns Marsh by East County on Wednesday, December 3 at 8:30 a.m.
Nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park, the 578-acre preserve, known as Harns Marsh, is one of Lehigh Acres’ best kept secrets. A ghost trail still tells a tale of where the Orange River once meandered through a 59-acre cypress head.
Designed in 1981 by ECWCD, Harns Marsh is one of the area’s major stormwater retention/detention facilities. Its purpose is to eliminate, or at very least reduce, flooding of its downstream neighbors along the Orange River during a major storm.
During the Nature Tour, Cathy Olson, Conservation 20/20 Senior Supervisor for Lee County Parks and Recreation, and ECWCD staff will assist participants in spotting and identifying wildlife while explaining the operation and importance of Harns Marsh.
Nature Tour participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes while exploring Harns Marsh on a two-mile walk. The event is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend.
Getting there:
To reach Harns Marsh, head north on Sunshine Blvd., turn left on Olive Ave. N., left on W. 38th St. and continue west to the Marsh entrance.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East County Water Control District (ECWCD) will hold a nature tour of Harns Marsh by East County on Wednesday, December 3 at 8:30 a.m.
Nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park, the 578-acre preserve, known as Harns Marsh, is one of Lehigh Acres’ best kept secrets. A ghost trail still tells a tale of where the Orange River once meandered through a 59-acre cypress head.
Designed in 1981 by ECWCD, Harns Marsh is one of the area’s major stormwater retention/detention facilities. Its purpose is to eliminate, or at very least reduce, flooding of its downstream neighbors along the Orange River during a major storm.
During the Nature Tour, Cathy Olson, Conservation 20/20 Senior Supervisor for Lee County Parks and Recreation, and ECWCD staff will assist participants in spotting and identifying wildlife while explaining the operation and importance of Harns Marsh.
Nature Tour participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes while exploring Harns Marsh on a two-mile walk. The event is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend.
Getting there:
To reach Harns Marsh, head north on Sunshine Blvd., turn left on Olive Ave. N., left on W. 38th St. and continue west to the Marsh entrance.
About ECWCD
2008-11-04 15:20:01
The East County Water Control District (ECWCD) is an independent special taxing district (government agency) created, in 1958, to manage the drainage of lands within the eastern portion of Lee County.
Through the years, the District has evolved to preserve and protect water reserves through drainage, conservation, mitigation, navigational and water management practices in Lehigh Acres and the western portion of Hendry County.
The District is often times mistaken as the organization responsible for providing drinking water and wastewater service and infrastructure in Lehigh Acres; however, these responsibilities lie with Florida Government Utilities (FGUA).
ECWCD encompasses 70,000 acres of land – approximately 68,000 of these acres lie in eastern Lee County with the remaining acres in Hendry County. The land lies in vicinity bounded on the south by State Road No. 82, on the north by Greenbriar, on the east by Hendry County, and on the west by Lee County Mosquito Control District.
Within its boundaries, the District maintains 311 miles of canals, 20 lakes, 360 culvert crossings, 22 bridges and 66 water control structures. ECWCD maintains 1298 preserve acres as well as 578 acres of Harns Marsh—a major retention/detention area.
Maintenance of the district occurs through programs such as: canal cleaning, canal mowing, rights-of-way maintenance, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), aquatic plant control, drainage and flood control, and limited parks powers.
Funding for the operation of ECWCD and all maintenance of canal system is acquired through the collection of a non-ad valorem assessment to provide the necessary drainage and flood control protection to local residents. In 1963, the Special Act ratified the District’s creation and authorization to levy and enforce taxes was reaffirmed in accordance and under the provisions of Florida Statues, Chapter 298.
Whether residences or businesses border canals or not, everyone pays the same flat rate based on the amount of property they own, not its value. The current rates paid to ECWCD per year by property owners:
• Quarter Acre: $22.45
• Half Acre: $44.90
• One Acre: $89.80
The daily operations of ECWCD are overseen by the District Manager, Dave Lindsay and maintained by the 33-member support staff. Major management decisions are made by a publicly-elected, five-member Board of Supervisors.
Board meetings are open to the public and are typically held the fourth Monday of every month at the District Headquarters at 601 East County Lane, Lehigh Acres 33936.
Through the years, the District has evolved to preserve and protect water reserves through drainage, conservation, mitigation, navigational and water management practices in Lehigh Acres and the western portion of Hendry County.
The District is often times mistaken as the organization responsible for providing drinking water and wastewater service and infrastructure in Lehigh Acres; however, these responsibilities lie with Florida Government Utilities (FGUA).
ECWCD encompasses 70,000 acres of land – approximately 68,000 of these acres lie in eastern Lee County with the remaining acres in Hendry County. The land lies in vicinity bounded on the south by State Road No. 82, on the north by Greenbriar, on the east by Hendry County, and on the west by Lee County Mosquito Control District.
Within its boundaries, the District maintains 311 miles of canals, 20 lakes, 360 culvert crossings, 22 bridges and 66 water control structures. ECWCD maintains 1298 preserve acres as well as 578 acres of Harns Marsh—a major retention/detention area.
Maintenance of the district occurs through programs such as: canal cleaning, canal mowing, rights-of-way maintenance, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), aquatic plant control, drainage and flood control, and limited parks powers.
Funding for the operation of ECWCD and all maintenance of canal system is acquired through the collection of a non-ad valorem assessment to provide the necessary drainage and flood control protection to local residents. In 1963, the Special Act ratified the District’s creation and authorization to levy and enforce taxes was reaffirmed in accordance and under the provisions of Florida Statues, Chapter 298.
Whether residences or businesses border canals or not, everyone pays the same flat rate based on the amount of property they own, not its value. The current rates paid to ECWCD per year by property owners:
• Quarter Acre: $22.45
• Half Acre: $44.90
• One Acre: $89.80
The daily operations of ECWCD are overseen by the District Manager, Dave Lindsay and maintained by the 33-member support staff. Major management decisions are made by a publicly-elected, five-member Board of Supervisors.
Board meetings are open to the public and are typically held the fourth Monday of every month at the District Headquarters at 601 East County Lane, Lehigh Acres 33936.
ECWCD to hold Harns Marsh Nature Tour
2008-10-09 16:18:17
East County Water Control District would like you to join us for the
Harns Marsh Nature Tour
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Head north on Sunshine Blvd., turn left on Olive Ave. N., left on W. 38th St. and continue west to the Marsh entrance
Harns Marsh Nature Tour
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Head north on Sunshine Blvd., turn left on Olive Ave. N., left on W. 38th St. and continue west to the Marsh entrance
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ECWCD's Parks
2008-10-08 14:41:58
Harns Marsh
Lehigh Acres’ best kept secret is nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park.
A ghost trail still tells a tale of where the Orange River once meandered through a 59-acre cypress head.
This is just a fraction of Lehigh Acres’ best kept secret, otherwise known as Harns Marsh. The 578-acre preserve is one of the area’s major stormwater retention/detention facilities.
Harns Marsh has been used both as a campground for the local Boy Scouts for years as well as the public for exploration and wildlife observation, however cars must be left outside of the facility’s gate.
ECWCD and Lee County have slated Harns Marsh as a regional park. It is projected that the passive park with trails, boardwalks, fishing etc. will be built in 2011.
Designed, in 1981, by East County Water Control District (ECWCD), the intent of Harns Marsh, said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager, is to eliminate or at very least reduce flooding of our downstream neighbors along the Orange River during a major storm.
When the construction was finished in 1985, approximately 478 had been excavated to provide Lehigh with increased capability of stormwater storage, said Lindsay.
For many years this storage area was wet year round – which prevented maintenance.
“The drought of 2007 created an opportunity for the rehabilitation of Harns Marsh just like it did for Lake Okeechobee,” said Lindsay. “District crews were able to clean 182 acres of the North Marsh creating an additional 59-million gallons of storage within the marsh.”
The removal of silt, sediment, dead trees and invasive plants improves water quality and enhances storage.
A major goal of the District is to improve Harns Marsh into a better stormwater facility with improved water quality. Harns Marsh is split into two areas: the North and South Marsh. The North Marsh is the first stage in the flood control process and is used routinely in the wet season, while the South Marsh is only used in a major rain event
The first phase of Harns Marsh improvement involves the replacement of the inflow and outflow weirs on the South Marsh and the outflow weir from the North Marsh.
The second phase will consist of replacing the two main inflow weirs to the marsh. Construction of phase one should break ground in the winter of 2009 and the second phase in 2010.
GETTING THERE: Travel north on Sunshine Blvd., north on Olive and west on 38th
Jim Fleming Ecological Park
What once was desolate 3.5- acre parcel— one of the last remaining pieces of Lehigh Acres’ original wetlands— has been transformed into a pristine ecological park. It is situated on the quickly developing main drag of Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres.
In 1999, the Lehigh Corporation donated the 3.5 acre-parcel after great persuasion from Mr. Fleming. Construction on the pristine ecological park began in July 2007 after all necessary funding and approval came through.
Daily from dusk until dawn, community members can experience JFEP’s two pavilions, barbeque facilities and a stroll along the 500-foot boardwalk. The park also includes an 8-space parking lot, bike racks and several benches.
GETTING THERE: The park is located on the corner of Lee Blvd. and Xelda Ave.
Charley Matheny Park
Charley Matheny Park borders Lake Camille and provides community members with use of its pavilions, green space and barbeque facilities. Community members can fish and kayak in Lake Camille but use of gas motor boats and swimming are prohibited.
The land and funds for the park were donated in 1999 which allowed for the park’s 2002 completion. The pavilions were built by Lee County and dedicated to ECWCD.
GETTING THERE: The Park is located at Lake Camille on Joel Blvd.
Barbara Farrell Park
Barbara Farrell Park borders Lehigh Acres Community Park North and provides community members with use of its pavilions, green space and barbeque facilities.
The land and funds for the park were donated in 1999 which allowed for the park’s 2002 completion. The pavilions were built by Lee County and dedicated to ECWCD.
GETTING THERE: The Park is located at Williams Ave and 5th Street.
Canals and Lakes
ECWCD has numerous canals and lakes that are part of our vast water management system. Community members are free to partake in passive recreational fishing in both the lakes and canals for some of the area’s blue grille, shell crackers, and largemouth bass—just to name a few.
Row and paddle boats, like canoes and kayaks, are allowed in the district lakes and canals. Sail boats and small boats with electric motors are also allowed, but gas motor boats are prohibited. Boats should not be left in the canals or lakes overnight.
Lehigh Acres’ best kept secret is nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park.
A ghost trail still tells a tale of where the Orange River once meandered through a 59-acre cypress head.
This is just a fraction of Lehigh Acres’ best kept secret, otherwise known as Harns Marsh. The 578-acre preserve is one of the area’s major stormwater retention/detention facilities.
Harns Marsh has been used both as a campground for the local Boy Scouts for years as well as the public for exploration and wildlife observation, however cars must be left outside of the facility’s gate.
ECWCD and Lee County have slated Harns Marsh as a regional park. It is projected that the passive park with trails, boardwalks, fishing etc. will be built in 2011.
Designed, in 1981, by East County Water Control District (ECWCD), the intent of Harns Marsh, said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager, is to eliminate or at very least reduce flooding of our downstream neighbors along the Orange River during a major storm.
When the construction was finished in 1985, approximately 478 had been excavated to provide Lehigh with increased capability of stormwater storage, said Lindsay.
For many years this storage area was wet year round – which prevented maintenance.
“The drought of 2007 created an opportunity for the rehabilitation of Harns Marsh just like it did for Lake Okeechobee,” said Lindsay. “District crews were able to clean 182 acres of the North Marsh creating an additional 59-million gallons of storage within the marsh.”
The removal of silt, sediment, dead trees and invasive plants improves water quality and enhances storage.
A major goal of the District is to improve Harns Marsh into a better stormwater facility with improved water quality. Harns Marsh is split into two areas: the North and South Marsh. The North Marsh is the first stage in the flood control process and is used routinely in the wet season, while the South Marsh is only used in a major rain event
The first phase of Harns Marsh improvement involves the replacement of the inflow and outflow weirs on the South Marsh and the outflow weir from the North Marsh.
The second phase will consist of replacing the two main inflow weirs to the marsh. Construction of phase one should break ground in the winter of 2009 and the second phase in 2010.
GETTING THERE: Travel north on Sunshine Blvd., north on Olive and west on 38th
Jim Fleming Ecological Park
What once was desolate 3.5- acre parcel— one of the last remaining pieces of Lehigh Acres’ original wetlands— has been transformed into a pristine ecological park. It is situated on the quickly developing main drag of Lee Blvd. in Lehigh Acres.
In 1999, the Lehigh Corporation donated the 3.5 acre-parcel after great persuasion from Mr. Fleming. Construction on the pristine ecological park began in July 2007 after all necessary funding and approval came through.
Daily from dusk until dawn, community members can experience JFEP’s two pavilions, barbeque facilities and a stroll along the 500-foot boardwalk. The park also includes an 8-space parking lot, bike racks and several benches.
GETTING THERE: The park is located on the corner of Lee Blvd. and Xelda Ave.
Charley Matheny Park
Charley Matheny Park borders Lake Camille and provides community members with use of its pavilions, green space and barbeque facilities. Community members can fish and kayak in Lake Camille but use of gas motor boats and swimming are prohibited.
The land and funds for the park were donated in 1999 which allowed for the park’s 2002 completion. The pavilions were built by Lee County and dedicated to ECWCD.
GETTING THERE: The Park is located at Lake Camille on Joel Blvd.
Barbara Farrell Park
Barbara Farrell Park borders Lehigh Acres Community Park North and provides community members with use of its pavilions, green space and barbeque facilities.
The land and funds for the park were donated in 1999 which allowed for the park’s 2002 completion. The pavilions were built by Lee County and dedicated to ECWCD.
GETTING THERE: The Park is located at Williams Ave and 5th Street.
Canals and Lakes
ECWCD has numerous canals and lakes that are part of our vast water management system. Community members are free to partake in passive recreational fishing in both the lakes and canals for some of the area’s blue grille, shell crackers, and largemouth bass—just to name a few.
Row and paddle boats, like canoes and kayaks, are allowed in the district lakes and canals. Sail boats and small boats with electric motors are also allowed, but gas motor boats are prohibited. Boats should not be left in the canals or lakes overnight.
Public Meeting: Northern Everglades Caloosahatchee
2008-10-02 07:06:43
In an effort to protect the Northern Everglades Estuaries, a team of agencies and organizations including South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Florida Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with Lee and Martin counties and other affected municipalities have come together to announce the release of the Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan draft.
Community members are encouraged to view the plan at: https://my.sfwmd.gov/northerneverglades . Comments can be made via the website or by mail at: Janet Starnes, c/o SFWMD Lower West Coast Service Center, 2301 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901. The comment period will conclude on October 31, 2008.
A public meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, 2008 to discuss the Northern Everglades Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan. The meeting will be held at:
Lower West Coast Service Center
2301 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to view the plan at: https://my.sfwmd.gov/northerneverglades . Comments can be made via the website or by mail at: Janet Starnes, c/o SFWMD Lower West Coast Service Center, 2301 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901. The comment period will conclude on October 31, 2008.
A public meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, 2008 to discuss the Northern Everglades Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan. The meeting will be held at:
Lower West Coast Service Center
2301 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
ECWCD Still Reeling from Fay’s One, Two Punch
2008-08-25 16:28:55
August 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East County Water Control District (ECWCD) felt the effects of Fay last Monday and Tuesday with 7.47 inches of rain and was hit with an additional 5 inches of rain Friday and Saturday from Fay’s outer bans.
During Fay’s initial landfall, ECWCD experienced most of its rainfall on the eastern side of the District near Bell Blvd. and Joel Blvd. These areas experienced localized flooding as some canals came out of their banks.
The District also saw some road flooding in Wild Cat Farm area south of State Road 82, Sentinella Rd. area, and near Columbus and Meadow Rd.
Just when the ECWCD thought the storm had passed, Fay sent some outer bans of rain their way. The District felt the heaviest effects of Fay’s second phase, on Friday, in its northern region near Harns Marsh—the District’s largest retention/detention area. According to Lindsay, Harns Marsh approached capacity Saturday afternoon.
“This outer ban hit the District at a time when our system was not fully recovered from Fay’s first punch,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager.
Members of the ECWCD staff again worked overtime hours on Friday and Saturday to ensure the safety of the District. A team of three ECWCD field staff began working late Friday evening until 3 a.m. clearing aquatic foliage from the water control structures at Hickey Creek 2 on the northern end of Sunshine Blvd., and 9-mile One on Bell Blvd.
On Saturday a team of four continued raking foliage from the structures gates to ensure water could flow freely while Field Superintendents and the District’s engineering monitored the structures.
Fay has left an impact both in and out of District Boundaries because all of ECWCD’s water flows through Bedman Creek and the Orange River before heading to the Caloosahatchee River.
This weekend Bedman Creek came out of its banks while the Orange River experienced high water levels. ECWCD staff helped residents sandbag the Bedman Creek area in order to lessen the effects of flooding.
“As of this morning, water levels are receding, but our canal system needs time to recover,” said Lindsay.
Lindsay noted the ECWCD’s 2008 Water Control Plan helped put projects and structures in placed that severely lessened the impact of Fay on the District.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East County Water Control District (ECWCD) felt the effects of Fay last Monday and Tuesday with 7.47 inches of rain and was hit with an additional 5 inches of rain Friday and Saturday from Fay’s outer bans.
During Fay’s initial landfall, ECWCD experienced most of its rainfall on the eastern side of the District near Bell Blvd. and Joel Blvd. These areas experienced localized flooding as some canals came out of their banks.
The District also saw some road flooding in Wild Cat Farm area south of State Road 82, Sentinella Rd. area, and near Columbus and Meadow Rd.
Just when the ECWCD thought the storm had passed, Fay sent some outer bans of rain their way. The District felt the heaviest effects of Fay’s second phase, on Friday, in its northern region near Harns Marsh—the District’s largest retention/detention area. According to Lindsay, Harns Marsh approached capacity Saturday afternoon.
“This outer ban hit the District at a time when our system was not fully recovered from Fay’s first punch,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager.
Members of the ECWCD staff again worked overtime hours on Friday and Saturday to ensure the safety of the District. A team of three ECWCD field staff began working late Friday evening until 3 a.m. clearing aquatic foliage from the water control structures at Hickey Creek 2 on the northern end of Sunshine Blvd., and 9-mile One on Bell Blvd.
On Saturday a team of four continued raking foliage from the structures gates to ensure water could flow freely while Field Superintendents and the District’s engineering monitored the structures.
Fay has left an impact both in and out of District Boundaries because all of ECWCD’s water flows through Bedman Creek and the Orange River before heading to the Caloosahatchee River.
This weekend Bedman Creek came out of its banks while the Orange River experienced high water levels. ECWCD staff helped residents sandbag the Bedman Creek area in order to lessen the effects of flooding.
“As of this morning, water levels are receding, but our canal system needs time to recover,” said Lindsay.
Lindsay noted the ECWCD’s 2008 Water Control Plan helped put projects and structures in placed that severely lessened the impact of Fay on the District.
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ECWCD Prepares for Tropical Storm Fay
2008-08-18 08:21:28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2008
Operating under its Hurricane Plan, East County Water Control District (ECWCD) staff will work late into the evening tonight to ensure the District is prepared for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Fay.
ECWCD’s preparedness efforts began Saturday and continued through the weekend. Staff met at 1 p.m. Sunday to ensure the District’s 48-hour Landfall Criteria, outlined in the District’s Hurricane Plan, is met.
Staff began opening the gates to many of the District weirs— a low dam built across a body of water to raise its level or divert its flow. By opening the weir gates, the District is able to move water from the District’s canal system into the Caloosahatchee River in order to reduce the risk of flooding. Weir gates may be closed in some areas prior to the storm in order to protect the water storage that the District has already created.
District staff is currently refueling all vehicles and securing its headquarters to ensure a safe a quick response to the storm. Staff will stop working once sustained wind speeds hit 30 miles per hour.
“Our system is in very good shape due to the dry weather we have had in the past few weeks,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager”. “Our staff is diligently working to ensure all necessary measures are taken to prepare for the storm.”
Lindsay believes the canal system could withstand four to six inches of rain without experiencing any serious problems.
If community members notice any road flooding during the storm they should contact Lee County Department of Transportation at 533-9400.
If community members notice any canal flooding or obstructions of
ECWCD’s structures please notify ECWCD staff at 368-0044.
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August 18, 2008
Operating under its Hurricane Plan, East County Water Control District (ECWCD) staff will work late into the evening tonight to ensure the District is prepared for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Fay.
ECWCD’s preparedness efforts began Saturday and continued through the weekend. Staff met at 1 p.m. Sunday to ensure the District’s 48-hour Landfall Criteria, outlined in the District’s Hurricane Plan, is met.
Staff began opening the gates to many of the District weirs— a low dam built across a body of water to raise its level or divert its flow. By opening the weir gates, the District is able to move water from the District’s canal system into the Caloosahatchee River in order to reduce the risk of flooding. Weir gates may be closed in some areas prior to the storm in order to protect the water storage that the District has already created.
District staff is currently refueling all vehicles and securing its headquarters to ensure a safe a quick response to the storm. Staff will stop working once sustained wind speeds hit 30 miles per hour.
“Our system is in very good shape due to the dry weather we have had in the past few weeks,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager”. “Our staff is diligently working to ensure all necessary measures are taken to prepare for the storm.”
Lindsay believes the canal system could withstand four to six inches of rain without experiencing any serious problems.
If community members notice any road flooding during the storm they should contact Lee County Department of Transportation at 533-9400.
If community members notice any canal flooding or obstructions of
ECWCD’s structures please notify ECWCD staff at 368-0044.
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ECWCD Replaces 27 Culverts, 2 Weirs
2008-07-19 18:12:20
East County Water Control District (ECWCD) has just completed a year-long project that replaced 27 culverts throughout the District and an additional project that replaced two weirs.
Every five years, ECWCD conducts a Facility Review to evaluate the existing structures. The 2004 Facility Review identified a need to replace the 27 culverts—the District ranks its culverts on a scale from one to five, with five defining a failing structure.
In August 2007, ECWCD began replacing the failing metal culverts, which have been in place for 30 to 40 years, with concrete culvert pipes that have a life expectancy of 50 years.
“Properly working culverts are crucial to our canal system, because they ensure that stormwater continues to flow to the Caloosahatchee River and provides flood protection to Lehigh Acres,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager.
ECWCD’s board of supervisors worked closely with Lee County and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to get both projects underway.
ECWCD was awarded a grant from Lee County that covered 33 percent of the $1.5 million culvert project and acquired a low-interest loan from FDEP to cover the remaining costs; ECWCD is still waiting funding to replace three weirs also identified in the 2004 Facility Review.
Forty percent of the funding for the $393,00 weir replacement project was by SFWMD Alternative Water Supply Grant while the remaining costs came from ECWCD’s Capital Projects fund—overall a large savings for the District’s assessment payers.
The weirs, which were constructed by JP Murphy, are crucial to raising canal levels and are part of the East County Aquifer Recharge Program (ECARP).
ECARP began in 1995 (then known as ELCARP) when ECWCD, Lee County and SFWMD conducted a study to determine the benefits of raising canal levels to promote groundwater recharge; this weir replacement is the fourth construction phase to the program.
In the beginning of ECARP, temporary concrete blocks were placed on structures to increase canal levels. The replacement weirs are permanent structures capable of regulating water levels in the canals and ensure that there no adverse effects to surrounding areas.
The new weirs have been installed on Kite View between Ground Dove Circle and Marby Rd., which is in Willow Lake, in the canal in the area just east of Maple.
The District is diligently working to ensure that all of its structures are in proper working order. The 2007 Facility Review identified 25 culverts and 5 weirs that are in critical condition; the replacement of these culverts and weirs is currently planned in ECWCD’s fiscal year 2010.
Every five years, ECWCD conducts a Facility Review to evaluate the existing structures. The 2004 Facility Review identified a need to replace the 27 culverts—the District ranks its culverts on a scale from one to five, with five defining a failing structure.
In August 2007, ECWCD began replacing the failing metal culverts, which have been in place for 30 to 40 years, with concrete culvert pipes that have a life expectancy of 50 years.
“Properly working culverts are crucial to our canal system, because they ensure that stormwater continues to flow to the Caloosahatchee River and provides flood protection to Lehigh Acres,” said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager.
ECWCD’s board of supervisors worked closely with Lee County and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to get both projects underway.
ECWCD was awarded a grant from Lee County that covered 33 percent of the $1.5 million culvert project and acquired a low-interest loan from FDEP to cover the remaining costs; ECWCD is still waiting funding to replace three weirs also identified in the 2004 Facility Review.
Forty percent of the funding for the $393,00 weir replacement project was by SFWMD Alternative Water Supply Grant while the remaining costs came from ECWCD’s Capital Projects fund—overall a large savings for the District’s assessment payers.
The weirs, which were constructed by JP Murphy, are crucial to raising canal levels and are part of the East County Aquifer Recharge Program (ECARP).
ECARP began in 1995 (then known as ELCARP) when ECWCD, Lee County and SFWMD conducted a study to determine the benefits of raising canal levels to promote groundwater recharge; this weir replacement is the fourth construction phase to the program.
In the beginning of ECARP, temporary concrete blocks were placed on structures to increase canal levels. The replacement weirs are permanent structures capable of regulating water levels in the canals and ensure that there no adverse effects to surrounding areas.
The new weirs have been installed on Kite View between Ground Dove Circle and Marby Rd., which is in Willow Lake, in the canal in the area just east of Maple.
The District is diligently working to ensure that all of its structures are in proper working order. The 2007 Facility Review identified 25 culverts and 5 weirs that are in critical condition; the replacement of these culverts and weirs is currently planned in ECWCD’s fiscal year 2010.
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