Wekiva Basin Study

CIP No. 1785376

Seminole County Public Works Department/Watershed Management Division has initiated the development of a Watershed Management Plan for the Wekiva Watershed (CIP#1785376). The plan is being developed by Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. The purpose of this notice is to inform you of an upcoming public meeting and briefly describe the project scope of work, present the steps undertaken to develop the plan, and request your input. 

The Wekiva Watershed comprises the western most areas in Seminole County that drain to the Wekiva River. This watershed is approximately 56.2 square miles (~36,000 acres) and resides within the St. Johns River Water Management District. This watershed is comprised of three drainage basins: LittleWekiva, Big Wekiva, and Yankee Lake.

Overview of the Plan

The primary goal of this study was to develop the tools necessary to effectively manage flooding and water quality within the Wekiva Watershed. This includes a thorough existing conditions assessment to establish a current baseline. Based on the existing conditions, conceptual projects are then to be developed to provide opportunities to abate flooding issues and improve water quality.

This current report includes a summary of existing conditions and provides recommendations for projects to be conceptualized for improvements. This was accomplished by completing the following objectives:

• Collect and compile relevant watershed related data and develop existing GIS representations of watershed characteristics.
• Compile flooding and water quality problem areas from various sources including; previous studies, county staff, and the public.
• Develop a detailed hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) model to evaluate flooding issues.
• Assess current flood protection level of service (FPLOS) for roads, primary drainage facilities, and structures.
• Develop a detailed pollutant loading assessment (PLA) model to identify water quality improvement target areas.
• Develop updated floodplain information.
• Perform a special hydrologic assessment of the Lake Markham and Lake Sylvan areas to assess possible causes for recent high stages.
• Evaluation of Little Wekiva River conditions and opportunities for additional sediment control.
• Based on the assessment and analysis data, provide recommendations for flooding and water quality improvements projects to be conceptualized in the next project phase.

Public Meeting Details

This public meeting is intended to share the results of the existing conditions report, present potential flood alleviation and water quality improvement projects, present potential updates to the floodplain maps and provide residents and stakeholders an opportunity to provide additional information and comments.

For your convenience, the County will be holding an in-person meeting, as well as a virtual public meeting using a Zoom platform. Persons interested in attending the virtual meeting can join online by visiting and registering at the project website. Additionally, the virtual public meeting pre-recorded video presentation and any other pertinent information will be available online from March 7, 2023 to March 23, 2023 at the project website.

Both the virtual Zoom platform and in-person meetings will occur at the same time on March 9, 2023, beginning at 6 p.m. See below for additional information on viewing options:

In-Person Live Meeting: Those who wish to participate can attend the meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the Neighborhood Alliance Church located at 301 Markham Woods Road, Longwood, 32779. Attendees will have an opportunity to come view an informational presentation on the project, speak with project team members, view project informational displays, and provide comments.

Zoom Registration Link (for home viewing):
bit.ly/Wekiva23

ADA Accommodation: Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in these proceedings should contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (407) 665-7940.

Project Location Map

Project Presentation

Contact Us

There are several opportunities to submit questions and comments regarding this project. Comments for this project will be accepted from March 9, 2023 to March 23, 2023. Please provide your feedback via the comment form on the website or by email to Mark Ellard mellard@geosyntec.com on or before March 23, 2023. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

We encourage residents of the watershed to attend the public meeting. In the event attendance at the public meeting is not possible, the following options are being provided to receive resident input pertaining to drainage problems or related issues.

By E-Mail:
mellard@Geosyntec.com

By Mail:
Wekiva Watershed Management Plan
Attn: Mark Ellard, PE, CFM — Study Project Manager
Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 155
Orlando, FL 32817

By Phone:
407-321-7030 (Mark Ellard)

The Seminole County Project Manager can be contacted as follows:
Shannon Wetzel — Project Manager
Watershed Management Division
Seminole County Public Works
O: (407) 665-2455 | F: (407) 665-5600
200 W. County Home Rd. Sanford, FL 32773
swetzel@seminolecountyfl.gov

In all cases, please provide the following helpful information:

• Name and phone number
• Address and/or location of drainage issue
• A brief description of the issue, including when/how often it occurs

Inclusion of photos or other relevant documentation is helpful. Please note that any material submitted will become the property of Seminole County and will not be returned. Due to the expected comment volume, individual responses to comments or information submitted will not be possible; however, responses may be made in certain cases where deemed appropriate.