Overflowing canal (Golden Gate: renting, insurance, house)

[TheYogi]

I just moved to Golden Gate Estates and our property backs up to a canal. Along the side and front of our house (it's a corner lot) is a ditch that runs into the canal. The canal water is so high after the last couple of storms that it has backed up into the ditch and the water is so high in the ditch that it is overflowing its bank into the street and our yard. Is this normal? Is there something wrong with the canal system? If this is normal, does it happen very often?

Thank you

[tmozer]

All the drainage canals and ponds are as full as I have seen in the past two years of being here. Obviously there has been a lot of rain........

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by TheYogi

I just moved to Golden Gate Estates and our property backs up to a canal. Along the side and front of our house (it's a corner lot) is a ditch that runs into the canal. The canal water is so high after the last couple of storms that it has backed up into the ditch and the water is so high in the ditch that it is overflowing its bank into the street and our yard. Is this normal? Is there something wrong with the canal system? If this is normal, does it happen very often?

Thank you

Normal-yes. It happens about once a year but much depends on where you live. Depends on the rain.

I have a similar issue. It is all part of living in GGE.

[Beth Mone`]

Yogi

I've seen almost all the estates flood in different years. There's no where for the sheet flow to go, once the estuary rivers and canals fill up, it floods.

One way you can tell if your land is flood prone is if you have cypress trees around you. The won't grow in areas that don't flood.

Much of the earlier development didn't account for the continued growth along the coast. In addition, the changes they are making to the watershed in the Picayune and Fakahatchee strands to restore the everglades are changing the water flow once again.

Don't worry it will gone soon.

Good Luck

Beth

[TamRE]

Areas most prone to flooding are barrier and offshore islands, areas near rivers, creeks, or canals, and low areas including those with elevations of less than 10 feet above mean sea level.

Did you purchase the home or are you renting? Do you know your flood elevation? Do you have flood insurance?

Some communities that have a homeowner association are dredging out the canals or are putting in new drainage systems to help alleviate current flooding problems. A neighbor or someone in the community should be able to tell you how often this happens. I don't think there is much if anything you can do as a homeowner other than have flood insurance to cover your house in case flooding does occur inside the home.

[FLBirdwatcher]

I just got back from touring GGE to see how bad the flooding is. It is really selective where and which got flooded. One house will be flooded, but the one next to it may not be. On White there were some that had standing water, and some that had none. The same on Golden Gate Blvd. It seems there were more flooded close to canals. Some of the flooding was due to the drainage ditches in front yards overflowing into the yard. North of Golden Gate Blvd seemed to have more than south.

We were lucky that our main yard didn't get flooded. Our ditch is full with lots of tadpoles. There was some water in our driveway for a few days, but I could drive over it without a problem. We saw a floating ant hill today. When we tried to break it up it separated like oil on water. It made several little ant hills. It must have had oil in the dirt, and there must have been air pockets that helped it to float. Lots of birds are out enjoying the feast. It has been an adventure.