City of Miami Gardens
Department of Public Works
Stormwater Utility

Flood Awareness Information

Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Functions

Floodplains in our City serve a beneficial purpose to our quality of life.　 These low areas are where rainfall goes to drain, and when the rainfall drains into the ground, this helps reduce flooding, and recharges our drinking water supply.　 Some examples of floodplains in Miami Gardens are the areas next to the Snake Creek and Biscayne Canals.

These floodplains also serve as filters of stormwater runoff as it seeps through the ground and into our aquifer. This acquifer is our only source of drinking water, and this filtering helps contain pollution before it reaches our aquifer! It is important that we appreciate our floodplains, and try to maintain, preserve and restore these areas whenever possible.

A swale (B) is a long narrow depression, which varies in depth from and is typically wider than it is deep. It is a strip of land in front of your homes and adjacent to the street. Swales provide an area for stormwater runoff from roads and other impervious areas to accumulate or pond. Allow water to pond in swales for 24 to 36 hours. Water in swales will eventually evaporate or infiltrate into the soil. Swales filter the stormwater and allow percolation of the water into the soil below.

Swales should have grass or any form of cover that allows percolation into the soil below. Rock or pebbles are not allowed due to compaction of the material and it does not allow the rainwater to percolate back into the ground. This condition floods your driveway and your neighbor.

　

Gravel or pebbles are NOT allowed in the swale. This will compact with the weight of the parked vehicles and rainwater will not percolate into the ground causing flooding conditions.



Neighbor's swales flooding area due to high grass swales, which

does not allow rainwater to percolate back into the ground.



Benefits of Swales:

 Reduce flooding, allow water to pond and protect properties.

 Provide filtering of runoff Reduce pollutants entering water bodies (canals, rivers, lakes, etc.)

 Improve the look of the neighborhood.

Maintenance of swales:

 Clear the swales of any debris including leaves, branches and other vegetation.

 Allow water to pond.

 Mow swales, but allow good grass growth Minimize use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

 Do not pave swales which will reduce the filtration and infiltration of the runoff.

 Do not park in swale which causes compaction of the soil and reduces infiltration.
For free flood assistance and inspections call:
Flood Plain Management Program
305-622-8000 ext. 3321
(C) City of Miami Gardens 2008
City of Miami Gardens :: 1515 NW 167 Street :: Bldg 5 :: Suite 200
Miami Gardens :: Florida :: 33169