How Flat Terrain Affects Florida’s Drainage Across The State
Updated: Sep 28
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Why Flat Terrain Makes Florida Drainage Different
Much of Florida has very little elevation change, so stormwater has little natural slope to follow and outfalls can be far away or shallow.
High water tables in many areas also limit how deep ponds and pipes can go and how much rain the soil can absorb.
JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Common Flat-Site Drainage Challenges
Little fall between the site and the nearest outfall
High seasonal groundwater limiting pond and pipe depth
Intense summer storms and tropical rainfall
Water quality treatment requirements in addition to flood control
Design Tools for Flat, Low-Lying Sites
Careful grading so water moves away from buildings
Swales and dry retention where soils drain well
Wet ponds or exfiltration systems where groundwater is high
Permeable paving to infiltrate runoff on-site where allowed
Raised finished floors on flood-prone sites
Who Reviews Florida Stormwater
Florida's five regional water management districts and FDEP administer Environmental Resource Permits for stormwater
FDEP construction permit coverage generally applies to sites disturbing one acre or more
Project: Hometown Bank Class A Replacement, Galveston, TX
This flat, low-lying coastal Texas site shows the same drainage challenges common across Florida.
Bank demolition and new Class A building in Galveston
Reviewed by the City of Galveston
Read the full Hometown Bank case study
Challenges
Coastal floodplain rules required a significantly higher finished floor
The drive-through had to work with the raised floor
Limited land left little room for a detention pond
Objectives
Meet coastal floodplain requirements.
Solve stormwater without losing usable land.
Deliver a clean first City submittal.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Full civil engineering and stormwater design
Permeable paving across the site to infiltrate stormwater on-site
A design that qualified for the City of Galveston detention pond exemption
Drive-through redesigned to work with the raised finished floor
Results:
No traditional detention pond needed
Floodplain elevation requirements met with a functional drive-through
Clean first City submittal with no mid-review changes
Another Example: Cocoa, FL
On a small-bay warehouse in Brevard County, JRH sized detention pond storage for the full roof and pavement area while keeping truck operations clear.
Flat-Site Drainage in Florida, Texas and North Carolina
Florida
Texas
The Gulf Coast has similar flat terrain; see How to Size a Detention Pond in TX, NC & FL.
North Carolina
The coastal plain faces similar issues; the NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual covers stormwater control measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is drainage harder on flat Florida sites?
Little elevation change and high water tables limit how water can drain and how deep ponds can be.
Who reviews stormwater permits in Florida?
Florida's water management districts and FDEP administer Environmental Resource Permits.
When is FDEP construction permit coverage needed?
Generally for sites disturbing one acre or more.
Can permeable paving replace a detention pond?
Sometimes; on a Galveston bank site, permeable paving helped the design qualify for a detention pond exemption.
How do high water tables affect pond design?
They limit pond depth, so ponds may need more surface area.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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