Page 14 - Talk of Tequesta - September '19

Page 14, The Talk Of Tequesta

oN The WaTer

The River Center Hooks Another Successful Tournament!

The Junior Angler Fishing skills. Our participants reeled in over 3,000 fish! Fishing Headquarters, Marine Industries Association of Palm
Tournament returned for its In hopes of accommodating all interested participants, both Beach County, Bass Pro Shop, West Palm Beach Fishing Club,
sixth year this summer with fresh and saltwater photo submissions were accepted. Some D.O.A. Lures, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Florida Fish and Wildlife
42 anglers participating in the kids enjoyed fishing from the lake in their backyard for a trophy Conservation Commission and the Loxahatchee River District.
five-week competition. This bass, while others preferred heading offshore in hopes of reeling The River Center is located at 805 N. U.S. Highway 1 in
tournament spans multiple in snappers. It was important for our tournament to cater to Jupiter at Burt Reynolds Park. Hours of operation: Sept. 1 to May
weeks to allow anglers time to each angler’s preferences. The excitement of the tournament 31, Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday
catch as many fish as possible. culminated in a family fish fry at the River Center on Aug. 9, through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; June 1 to Aug. 31, Tuesday
Points are awarded not only where the winners were announced, and prizes awarded. A hearty through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This unique environmental
for the number of fish caught, congratulations goes out to the grand prize winner, Cameron center presents some of the largest aquatic exhibits in the area
but also for the number of Burlage who managed to reel in and photograph more than 416 with an interactive exploration of the river, diverse wildlife
different species represented in fish and caught 45 different species! and its majestic environmental value. In addition, guests learn
the submissions. The more fish you catch and the more species With such tremendous turnout and interest in the tournament, the where their water comes from, how it is consumed and recycled
you catch, the better your chances are to win! These innovative River Center hopes to continue building on this accomplishment. back into the community. There are multimedia and live aquatic
guidelines encourage contestants to spend time throughout the We are already looking forward to next year’s competitive and exhibits, and a touch tank teeming with aquatic life. For more
summer exploring the diversity of habitats and fish species in our educational summer adventure. The River Center would like to information about the River Center, please call (561) 743-7123
Palm Beach and Martin Counties, all while honing their fishing thank our 2019 sponsors for their support of our junior anglers: or visit www.lrdrivercenter.org.

NorTherN NoTes

Streets, Swales And Stormwater Management

By O’Neal Bardin Jr., Executive Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Streets flood control systems are connected, what’s happening upstream through the soil within several hours or days. When the swale
Streets are an important part or downstream from your neighborhood also has an impact. becomes full, the cleaner surface water will spill over the berm
of Northern Palm Beach County Keep It Clear and slowly run into a local water body. Eventually, the remaining
Improvement District’s overall Many stormwater blockages in streets occur due to clogged ponded water will either evaporate or infiltrate into the soil.
Stormwater Management storm sewer inlets. If there is an inlet in the street adjacent to Maintain Proper Swales
System. Both the storm sewers your home, residents are asked to keep this drain clear of all • Let water pond. Runoff should temporarily pond in the swale
located below the street, ditches obstructions including leaves, grass and debris. Debris at storm for 24 to 36 hours, sometimes even up to 72 hours.
or swales located along the sewer inlets also build up after a storm event, which is a good time • Mow the swale but keep it at a good grass growth. Tall grass
street, and the roadway itself to check the inlet to make sure that the system will work well in slows water movement.
serve to convey stormwater to the next storm. • Remove and compost leaves and grass clippings from swales.
designed locations. At times Too Deep To Drive? • Minimize use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides within
blockages can occur, which can If during or after a rain event you arrive upon a roadway where 50 feet of a swale.
cause undesired flooding conditions that may cause roads to you cannot determine the depth of the water in the street – for your • Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs or garden debris in
become impassable. It is important to understand the basics of own safety – do not drive down the street. Find an alternate route. swales— this adds pollutants which can wash into downstream
how streets are used to convey stormwater, in order to identify Swales waters.
when problems may occur. Chances are if you’ve lived in South Florida long enough, • Do not pave the swale — this reduces the filtration and
Streets And Stormwater Management you’ve heard at least one person refer to a “swale.” A swale infiltration of runoff.
Many streets are designed and built with curb and gutter along is a graded and engineered grassy area of land appearing as a • Do not park vehicles in the swale— this compacts the soil
the street and with storm sewers underneath the pavement. The linear, shallow, open channel, that stretches from the edge of so less runoff soaks in. It also destroys the vegetation in the swale
curbs and gutters direct stormwater from the pavement into the the sidewalk in front of homes (or the property line if there is no that is needed to filter the pollutants out of the water.
storm sewers. These storm sewers not only collect water from sidewalk) to the edge of the street. Swales are typically vegetated • Do not alter the design of the swale. Any changes will require
the roadway, but also connect to other drainage systems to collect with flood tolerant, erosion resistant plants. Swales are one of a permit as they may affect drainage.
water from yards and subdivisions and transport the stormwater the most commonly used stormwater practices. For many years, Please keep in mind that there is a direct link between what we
to lakes, canals and other outlets. swales have been used to direct runoff from rural highways and do around our home and the water quality of our canals, ponds,
Did you know that in very heavy rains, some water standing residential streets. Today, swales not only direct stormwater but lakes and wetlands.
in streets or swales is part of the flood control design plan and also help filter runoff and reduce pollutants. NPDES tip: It is important to never dump any debris,
is expected? Your neighborhood lake’s water level may seem to A swale slows down the rapid flow of stormwater runoff by including but not limited to landscape waste, garbage or chemicals
rise alarmingly, but that’s not likely to last. If the system in your ponding water between its sloping sides, often called berms. The into a storm sewer inlet. While bulky materials can cause flooding,
neighborhood is working properly, levels will return to normal ponding not only slows the rate of flow but allows pollutants chemicals and other wastes that are dumped into a storm sewer
soon after the rain has stopped. A heavier, more widespread and to settle out of the water. Ponding facilitates water quality eventually drain into lakes and canals, which threaten fish and
longer-lasting storm will require more time for local, secondary improvements through infiltration, filtration and sedimentary wildlife and pollute the water. Please check our website for
and regional systems to absorb the excess water. Because these deposition. Collected stormwater is expected to drain away information regarding illegal dumping.

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