London Waterway Expansion Final Design

The B- and L-sections of the City of Palm Coast, Fla. have struggled with flooding problems. The challenges experienced in this northern area of the City required an experienced firm to create a plan that would alleviate the drainage issues causing the flooding.

DRMP’s engineers used a unique multi-purpose approach to not only alleviate drainage issues but to also provide environmental and recreational benefits to the local community. To do this, the team created a concept to convert a 19.5-acre piece of city-owned property into a lakeside neighborhood passive park that will increase flood storage capacity for Palm Coast residents and improve water quality for the environment.

The design features the construction of an 11-acre naturally contoured lake with curvy edges for flood storage; preserved vegetation to promote terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem interaction; two open overlooks; and plantings to encourage desirable native vegetation to improve habitat for various species and for erosion protection along the shoreline.

The lake will also provide stormwater treatment and improve the quality of water being discharged into the London Waterway, Hulett Branch downstream, and the receiving Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve. The proposed work required coordination and permitting with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

DRMP’s unique approach to the project will help the City meet its stormwater treatment goals and allow the residents of the area to use the lake as a recreational facility.