Bolles East Canal Conveyance Improvements
Challenge
Our team collaborated with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in Belle Glade, Florida, on a project aimed at enhancing water quality and infrastructure along the Bolles East Canal. The goals included widening and deepening the Bolles canal to improve stormwater management capacity and increase its conveyance ability so that the farmers can effectively water and de-water their fields, excavating farm canals which is vital for managing water resources effectively.
Solution
The project involved multifaceted tasks, including dewatering sections of the canal and the installation of cofferdams to manage water flow from the existing Bolles Canal. We used hydraulic pumps ranging from 12 to 30 inches in diameter for effective dewatering, which facilitated subsequent excavation activities.
Additionally, the project installed new culverts, access roads, a concrete structure with a 48” slide gate, and 2 modern concrete bridges to allow access over the Bolles canal. It also focused on strengthening flood control measures with robust embankments and drainage systems, contributing to sustainable water management, coastal resiliency, and resilience for the area’s local community and agricultural sectors.
Excavation operations included the removal of muck to expose the underlying limestone rock layer, which was essential for preparing the embankment foundation and to allow for excavation of the Bolles canal. We drilled and blasted the canal cross-section to facilitate excavation with heavy equipment like the CAT 374 excavator, achieving a depth of approximately 12 feet below the rock layer’s surface.
Excavated material was used to construct the embankment and farm roads adjacent to the Bolles canal, enhancing flood control and access for the landowners. This process involved meticulous placement and compaction of the material using Caterpillar D6 bulldozers. The completed embankment reached a minimum elevation of 15.5 ft, ensuring robust structural integrity and effective flood management. Additionally, the project included the excavation and enhancement of farm ditches, repurposing excavated rock for constructing farm roads, and installing drainage culverts to facilitate efficient irrigation and improve stormwater management.
Furthermore, the scope encompassed widening the canal to achieve a bottom width of 30 to 45 feet with an invert elevation of -5.0 feet NAVD. Alongside these enhancements, the project featured the installation of two boat ramps and the construction of two new pile-supported concrete bridges utilizing FDOT Slab Beams, which also contribute to the area’s coastal resiliency by reinforcing essential infrastructure.
Results
Despite the challenges posed by the project’s scale and environmental considerations, our team completed the endeavor ahead of schedule without any safety incidents. The successful collaboration with SFWMD underscored our readiness to manage complex heavy civil construction projects that enhance water conveyance, improve stormwater management, and ensure the sustainability of water resources in critical infrastructure.
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