Keeping Our Drainage System Clear, Accessible and Ready

The District systematically clears vegetation along residential canals to maintain drainage capacity and provide access for maintenance equipment. Clear canals and accessible easements are important to protect roads and properties during heavy rainfall. During the vegetation removal work, the number and severity of easement encroachments became a focus for management. Some encroachments include fences that are 10 feet or more within the easement. To exacerbate the issue, some encroachments were mistakenly permitted by Palm Beach County.

Canal Vegetation Clearing

• Jupiter Farms - District crews have cleared vegetation along canals over the last 18 months
• Palm Beach Country Estates - Clearing is now underway using a rake attachment and debris will be ground in  place by a contractor - this process saves money and allows for soil amendment
• Operators have been directed to clear tree branches and brush from easements to allow District equipment access for maintenance
• The District will alternate canal brush clearing on the East and West sides on a two-year cycle

What to Expect After Vegetation is Cleared

• Routine brush may remain for about 1–2 weeks before District equipment returns to grind/mulch it
• Heavy vegetation may require specialized grinding equipment
• Contracted work may take approximately 2–3 weeks for procurement and mobilization
• Temporary piles do not mean the work has been abandoned or left unfinished

Easement Reclamation Plan

• The District is developing a Palm Beach Country Estates Easement Reclamation Plan, targeted for completion by the end of Fiscal Year 2027–28
• Use updated survey and GIS information to identify easement boundaries and encroachments
• Track encroachments by Property Control Number and establish priorities for easement reclamation based on drainage and maintenance needs
• Provide landowners with greater awareness of encroachments and support enhanced communication and website updates before priority reclamation work begins

Why Easement Access Matters

• Canal easements and rights-of-way must remain accessible for maintenance, inspection, and emergency drainage operations
• Clearing is performed within the easement so District equipment can safely operate
• Encroachments, including fences located within our easements can interfere with maintenance operations

Property Owners Can Help

• Before installing fences, landscaping, trees or other improvements near a canal or other easement, contact the District to verify boundaries and requirements
• Do not place yard waste, debris, or other materials within canal easements or in canals

What’s Next?

• Following easement reclamation, the District anticipates addressing canal sedimentation and maintenance dredging in Palm Beach Country Estates
• We are evaluating the appropriate mix of District personnel and contractors as specialized equipment and experienced operators are important considerations
• As current survey work and drainage modeling are completed, the District will have better information to identify canal maintenance needs and the limits of existing easements and rights-of-way.

Our Goals

• Maintain drainage capacity
• Preserve maintenance access
• Prioritize the most critical needs
• Provide advance notice for significant easement actions
• Protect the community's drainage infrastructure

For questions about canal maintenance, easements or planned improvements, please contact the District office.