BCI Engineers and Scientists

DeSoto County identified Harlem Heights as a subdivision with serious flooding problems. Harlem Heights was designed with roadside ditches of inadequate conveyance. Stormwater from the area discharged into a canal that contributes directly to the Peace River. The canal lacked access for county maintenance and caused floodwaters to back up into residents’ homes.

BCI was secured to assist the County in developing a flood abatement plan for the community. BCI designed, permitted and developed construction plans for a comprehensive retrofit. A 3.5-acre stormwater pond was designed to attenuate runoff and meet Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) water quality treatment requirements.

Right-of-way was acquired for the stormwater pond and associated 20-foot maintenance berm along an adjacent canal. The acquired property was on the opposite side of the canal from the subdivision. This required the storm sewer system to be piped under the canal. In addition, a bridge crossing was designed to cross the canal and provide access to the pond and the canal maintenance berm from the Harlem Heights subdivision.