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WRDA > WRDA 2000 Initial Projects > Hillsboro (Site 1) Impoundment
WRDA 2000 Initial Projects:
Hillsboro (Site 1) Impoundment
Description - A 2,460 acre above ground reservoir with a total storage capacity of approximately 15,000 acre-feet in Palm Beach County
Purpose - To supplement water deliveries to the Hillsboro Canal during dry periods thereby reducing demands on Lake Okeechobee and Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Benefits - The benefits to the project will be a reduction in demands on the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Okeechobee during the early dry season as well as a reduction in the amount of water discharged to tide. By reducing the demands on Lake Okeechobee the littoral zone of the Lake and the marshes in the Refuge will suffer fewer damaging low levels
Land Status - 1,658 acres acquired by SFWMD. 800 acres remaining to be acquired
C&SF Restudy Component - "M" (Phase 1)
General Description: This water storage project has been sited and is located in southern Palm Beach County adjacent to the Hillsboro Canal and Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Water Conservation Area 2A. The purpose of this" /> project is to supplement water deliveries to the Hillsboro Canal during dry periods thereby reducing demands on Lake Okeechobee and Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
Criticality: This project is included in the initial authorization for several reasons: 1) a large portion of the lands required for the project have already been acquired by the sponsor, 2) benefits to the ecosystem will be gained from this project by capturing water that is normally sent to tide and returning it to the system early in the process, and 3) uncertainty in constructing this project is minimized by phasing the project and postponing the aquifer storage and recovery portion of the component until the ASR pilot project is completed.
Engineering Design: This project includes an above ground reservoir with a total storage capacity of approximately 15,000 acre-feet. The initial design of the reservoir assumed 2,460 acres with water levels fluctuating up to 6 feet above grade. An inflow pump station with a capacity of 700 cfs, an outflow structure with a capacity of 200 cfs and an emergency outflow structure with a capacity of 700 cfs are proposed. The final depth and configuration of these facilities will be determined through more detailed planning and design to be completed as a part of the ongoing Water Preserve Areas Feasibility Study.
The reservoir will be filled during the wet-season from excess water pumped from the Hillsboro Canal. Water will be released back to the Hillsboro Canal to help maintain canal stages during the dry-season. If water is not available in the reservoir, existing rules for water delivery to this region will be applied.
Benefits: The benefits to the project will be a reduction in demands on the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Okeechobee during the early dry season as well as a reduction in the amount of water discharged to tide. By reducing the demands on Lake Okeechobee the littoral zone of the Lake and the marshes in the Refuge will suffer fewer damaging low levels.
Related Projects: There are additional studies planned for this site. They include a small ongoing reservoir pilot project performed by the South Florida Water Management District and as part of this initial authorization, a pilot project for aquifer storage and recovery to address the uncertainty regarding applying the technology at this project location. Phase II of this project includes the construction of 30 5-mgd Aquifer Storage and Recovery wells.
Schedule: This project is currently scheduled for construction initiation in September 2004 with completion in September 2007. Of the 2,458 acres needed for this project, 1,658 acres have been acquired by the SFWMD to date. This schedule is based on a very optimistic real estate acquisition plan.
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