MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

B670
Structure Operations 020
Project Type Basin Initiatives
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Northwest Hillsborough, Coastal Rivers, Pinellas-Anclote River,
Withlacoochee River, Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager CRANE, DAVID
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
GANUN, JIM, BARTLETT, MIKE
Description
The B670 budget provides funding for the annual inspection, operation and maintenance of District water control
structures. The District owns, maintains and operates ten water control structures in the Peace River Basin, most
controlling regional lake systems which are central to the Lakeland-Winter Haven area of Polk County; these also
provide flow to the Peace River. Structures on the eastern chain-of-lakes system in Winter Haven are maintained and
operated by agreement with the Lake Region Lakes Management District (LRLMD). The District retains ownership of
the four structures, P-5, P-6, P-7 and P-8, and reimburses the LRLMD for O&M costs related to these structures.
These four facilities are primarily water conservation structures, but their operation is critical for flood management and
mitigation. The Peace Creek Canal, (which is currently under the auspices of the Peace Creek Canal Commission),
flows from Lake Hamilton and Structure P-8 near Dundee, south and east for 21 miles across broad flat flood plains.
Saddle Creek Canal flows south from Lake Hancock and Structure P-11. These two systems converge near Bartow
and form the headwaters of the Peace River. During high rainfall events, waters typically fill the canals and floodplains
and discharge very slowly to the south, often creating localized flooding. From the confluence of these systems, the
river flows approximately 87 miles into Charlotte Harbor in Charlotte County. Proper operation and maintenance of
these Upper Peace Basin structures is critical for water conservation, aquifer recharge, floodplain management and
downstream water supplies. Structure G-90 on Lake June-in-Winter in Highlands County is another important Peace
Basin structure. The structure discharges flows from Lake Placid and Lake June into Jack Creek and Josephine
Creek. Discharge capabilities are limited due to the potential for flooding downstream developments. An Emergency
Action Plan (EAP) has been developed for the structure. The document contains detailed information for notification
procedures in the event of a developing emergency situation and should be reviewed, updated and tested on a yearly
basis.
Benefits
Structure Operations involves three areas of responsibility: inspections, maintenance (including construction and
repair), and operation. A comprehensive structural/operational inspection program of water control structures, both
above and below water, is required to discover deficiencies related to human safety (both public and District
personnel), operational viability, and structural integrity of the structures. The objectives and benefits of the District's
inspection program, and Structure Operations activities in general, are: (1) early discovery of structural/operational
deficiencies and maintenance problems deficiencies, thereby forestalling costly repairs; (2) to find and mitigate safety
hazards to District personnel and the public; (3) to prevent/preempt structure failure with thorough, regular inspections,
thereby reducing the potential for loss of life and property; and, (4) to comply with applicable state/federal regulations
and guidelines for inspection, operation and maintenance of water control structures. The program has one full-time
inspector, who performs routine monthly inspections and oversees the reporting/work-order processes. The District
also utilizes engineering consultants for inspection services on the more critical structures on a two-year rotational
basis. Structure Operations section work orders are generated from inspection reports and the section's Five-Year
Plan. Structure Maintenance activities range from routine servicing and replacement of equipment, to repair and
construction of water control structures, to perform gate operations under established guidelines in response to
developing weather events. The Structure Operations section is additionally responsible for monitoring water levels
and rainfall totals across the District, and directing structure gate operations which are accomplished either manually
or by remote control.
Costs
The FY2008 budget of $367,950 includes $180,000 to repair or replace the four 72" corrugated metal pipes at P-8
structure . Also at P-8, $28,000, is budgeted to replace the four gate lift devices which are in extremely poor condition.
$35,000 is budgeted to LRLMD for the operation and routine maintenance of structures P-5, P-6, P-7, and P-8.
Additionally, $75,000 is provided for emergency/miscellaneous engineering services, inspections, and the update to
the G-90 Emergency Action Plan. $4,000 is budgeted for the installation of a traffic guardrail system at the Structure
G-90. Approximately $54,000 is budgeted for Parts & Supplies, Rental of Equipment, Salaries, Central Garage,
etc. related to ongoing routine maintenance and operations. The proposed FY 2009 budget includes for non-recurring
expenses, $40,000 for consultant/contractual services related to Emergency Action Plan updating and emergency
miscellaneous consultant services, $35,000 for remotely Control of structure Lake Parker and $35,000 for operation
020 - Peace River Basin 163