Swales and Drainage Features in Miami, FL

Who This Service Is For

Swales and drainage feature services in Miami-Dade County are essential for developers, general contractors, property owners, and anyone needing to direct stormwater runoff away from structures and toward stormwater management systems in Miami-Dade County.

Whether you're developing a new property in Doral, fixing existing drainage problems in Aventura, or installing stormwater management systems in Coral Gables, swales and drainage features effectively direct water flow. We coordinate licensed contractors with the equipment and expertise to excavate drainage features that meet Miami-Dade County engineering specifications, DERM requirements, and SFWMD standards, with emphasis on on-site retention and groundwater recharge.

Miami-Dade County Drainage Feature Considerations

Swales and drainage feature excavation in Miami-Dade County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• DERM as Primary Reviewing Authority: DERM (Division of Environmental Resources Management) serves as the primary reviewing authority for drainage projects in Miami-Dade County. Projects must also comply with regulations from SFWMD and FDEP, which establish regional standards that local ordinances build upon. DERM requires proper design, permitting, and environmental protection measures.
• 25-Year, 72-Hour Storm Minimum Design: Miami-Dade County mandates that stormwater systems be designed for the 25-year, 72-hour storm minimum as the design storm requirement. This standard emphasizes flood protection while maintaining water quality standards that include both Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) and Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS) components. Drainage features must be sized to handle this design storm.
• On-Site Retention with Groundwater Recharge: Miami-Dade County's approach prioritizes on-site retention with groundwater recharge over simple detention and discharge. This means swales and drainage features are designed to encourage water infiltration into the aquifer rather than rapid removal from the site. Permeable swales and alternative swale materials are encouraged to enhance stormwater infiltration and environmental protection.
• Strict Pollutant Loading Calculations: Miami-Dade County requires strict pollutant loading calculations, reflecting the county's emphasis on water quality protection throughout the stormwater management system. Drainage features must be designed to reduce pollutant loading and meet WQLOS standards.
• Public Works Permits and Restrictive Covenant Agreements: For swales specifically, municipalities within Miami-Dade County (such as Coral Gables) require Public Works Permits for swale modifications, which are issued at no permit fee. A Restrictive Covenant Agreement is also required when making changes to swale areas. County and state roads have additional requirements beyond municipal standards.
• High Water Table and Dewatering: Miami-Dade's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects drainage feature design and may require deeper excavation or dewatering. DERM Class V Permits are required for temporary dewatering to ensure that sediment, turbidity, and contaminants are removed before discharge. Water table conditions determine feature depths and may affect drainage function, especially in areas like Miami Beach, Aventura, and coastal neighborhoods.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Drainage features may require SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance and stormwater management, especially for features near wetlands or surface waters. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
• Impervious Surface Regulations: Miami-Dade County has implemented ordinances addressing impervious surfaces and paving regulations, with permits required for new paving installations on properties. Drainage feature design must account for impervious surface area in the watershed and ensure proper stormwater management.

The Drainage Feature Excavation Process in Miami-Dade County

Our coordinated approach ensures your swales and drainage features are excavated properly and meet all Miami-Dade County specifications and regulatory requirements:

1. Engineering Design Review: We review engineering designs to understand drainage feature dimensions, depths, and slopes specific to Miami-Dade County's 25-year, 72-hour storm minimum design requirements and FPLOS/WQLOS standards. Design review ensures excavation meets exact requirements for stormwater management, on-site retention, and groundwater recharge.
2. Miami-Dade Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including DERM Plan Review Approval (for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24), Public Works Permits for swale modifications (in municipalities like Coral Gables), Restrictive Covenant Agreements for swale changes, SFWMD environmental resource permits for land disturbance, DERM Class V Permits for dewatering if required, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. Projects must use licensed Florida drainage engineers to ensure compliance.
3. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, compactors, dewatering systems) and experience for drainage feature excavation in Miami-Dade County, including expertise with high water table conditions, coastal soils, and regulatory compliance.
4. Dewatering Setup: For drainage features requiring dewatering, contractors set up dewatering systems in compliance with DERM Class V Permit requirements, ensuring sediment, turbidity, and contaminants are removed before discharge. This is especially important given Miami-Dade's high water table.
5. Feature Excavation: Contractors perform excavation to exact depths and dimensions, creating proper drainage channels designed for on-site retention and groundwater recharge. Excavation establishes feature shape and prepares areas for erosion control installation, accounting for Miami-Dade's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
6. Slope Construction: Drainage features are graded to proper slopes (typically 1-2% minimum) to ensure effective water flow and groundwater recharge, meeting Miami-Dade County requirements. Slope construction meets engineering specifications and ensures proper drainage function, especially important for permeable swales designed for infiltration.
7. Outfall Construction: Outfalls are constructed where drainage features discharge to stormwater systems or natural water bodies, meeting Miami-Dade County and DERM requirements. Outfall structures ensure proper water discharge and prevent erosion, with strict pollutant loading calculations as required by county standards.
8. Erosion Control and Final Inspection: Erosion control measures are installed meeting Miami-Dade DERM requirements, and final inspections ensure drainage features meet regulatory requirements including FPLOS and WQLOS standards. Features are ready for operation after final approval, with proper maintenance access for ongoing compliance.

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