COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT:
title
18th Street Canal Dredging
body
DEPARTMENT:
Public Works & Utilities
SUMMARY:
The City of Edgewater Public Works & Utilities Department is requesting City Council approval to proceed with dredging operations at the mouth of the 18th Street Canal to restore hydraulic capacity and reduce flood risk within the Florida Shores drainage basin.
Based on preliminary engineering evaluations prepared by Halff, significant sediment accumulation was identified within the canal outfall. This accumulation was further quantified through field assessment conducted by Bayside Dredging, which determined that approximately 4,500 cubic yards (CY) of sediment must be removed.
The proposed work will be completed utilizing established unit rates under the City of Tampa Outfall Maintenance Services Contract. Services include mobilization and demobilization of equipment and personnel, hydraulic dredging of accumulated sediment, dewatering operations via haul trucks, and transport of material to the City’s approved disposal site.
This project is critical due to the significant impacts experienced during recent storm events. During Hurricane Ian (2022), approximately 1,000 homes in Edgewater experienced flooding, many within the 18th Street Canal drainage basin. Floodwaters transported large volumes of sediment downstream, forming a substantial sandbar at the canal outfall near Veterans Memorial Park. Historical data indicates that while sediment deposition in this area has occurred over time, the accumulation increased dramatically following this storm event.
Subsequently, Hurricane Milton further contributed to sediment deposition, exacerbating the obstruction and significantly reducing the canal’s hydraulic efficiency. The continued presence of this sandbar restricts stormwater discharge capacity, increasing the risk of flooding throughout the basin.
The 18th Street Canal drainage basin is the City’s largest and most critical stormwater system, serving the Florida Shores community, which includes over 6,000 properties. The basin extends approximately 1.4 miles east to west (from US-1 to Willow Oak Drive) and 3.0 miles north to south (from 12th Street to 35th Street).
The City has proactively budgeted for this project in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and has engaged the necessary professional services to initiate permitting. Final regulatory approvals from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been received.
Completion of this project will restore proper flow conditions, enhance stormwater system performance, and provide critical flood mitigation benefits for residents and businesses within this highly impacted area.
Funding for this project will be provided through City funds to serve as the required local match for State Appropriation funding.
Completion of this project will restore proper flow conditions, enhance stormwater system performance, and provide critical flood mitigation benefits for residents and businesses within this highly impacted area.
BUDGETED ITEM: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ Not Applicable
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion to approve the 18th Street Canal Dredging Project utilizing the City of Tampa Outfall Maintenance Services Contract (Bid #101100422), authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary agreements and documents, and approve any required budget amendment to facilitate completion of the project.