Plan Formulation Branch

Flood Control and Flood Plain Management Section

Mission

To serve on behalf of the federal government addressing issues that deal with the water resources within the boundaries of the Jacksonville District. Water resources issues raised by the general public, local governments, state government, tribal governments, U.S. territory governments, and/or other federal agencies. These issues specifically relate to flood control, outdoor recreation, water quality enhancement, water supply, environmental restoration, wastewater management, flood hazard evaluation, flood plain topics, hurricane and storm damage reduction, hurricane evacuation, or any combination of the above.

ome neighborhood drainage systems are only designed to handle, or are capable  of handing, a few inches of rainfall. The Corps can perform studies of these and other community flooding problems. We also perform environmental improvement studies involving water resources. Also, the Corps can act in concert with other governmental agencies to perform hurricane evacuation and damage studies. Finally, we can perform studies of floods and flood plain issues.

Inspecting a Drainage System

A rainfall drainage system must be regularly inspected in order to maintain its effectiveness. A semi-annual inspection, as well as an inspection following major rain events, may be advisable. Documentation might include photographs.

An inspection of a rainfall drainage system might include looking for:

• Erosion problems along the bank that might allow pollutants to reach and clog the waterway.
• A vegetation buffer (preferably natural vegetation of at least 50 feet) along the water body that might preclude pollutants from reaching the water body. Natural groundcovers and grass planting recommendations should be available from local sources.
• Vegetation within the water body that might impede water flow.
• Periodic silt removal from the water bottom that might improve water flow.
• Debris-clogged outfalls that might impede water flow.
• Disrepair of constructed components that might adversely affect water flow.
• Other conditions that might jeopardize the original effectiveness of the system, for example new construction along the waterway.

Related Links

• Federal:
  • Waterways Experiment Station
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • U.S. Geological Survey - Water Resources Information
  • National Weather Service - Southeast River Forecast Center
• State:
  • St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)
  • Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
  • South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
  • Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)
  • Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD)
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Miscellaneous:
  • Environmental Systems Research Institute
  • Society of American Military Engineers — Jacksonville Chapter