The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is closing navigation on the Hillsborough River at Structure S-155 to meet safety standards.
Due to the high velocity of water from recent above-average rainfall, boat barriers will be put in place where I-75 crosses the Hillsborough River, restricting navigation in that area. The S-155 structure is part of the Tampa Bypass Canal System and located north of Morris Bridge Road and east of I-75. It can be seen from I-75 as you cross the Hillsborough River.
The Hillsborough River is approximately 3 inches below the water level that would result in the closing of S-155, which would begin to fill the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area. The District will continue to monitor water levels in the area.
The Tampa Bypass Canal System, constructed in response to massive flooding caused by Hurricane Donna in 1960, and is made up of three elements: the Hillsborough Flood Detention Area (HFDA) or Reservoir, the Tampa Bypass Canal and the Harney Canal. Flood waters from the Hillsborough River are impounded into the 16,000-acre HFDA. As the reservoir fills with water from the river and the surrounding 450-square mile watershed, the flows then enter the 15.7-mile Tampa Bypass Canal, which is made up of five flood control structures located along the canal. The flows are then safely diverted to McKay Bay, protecting the cities of Temple Terrace and Tampa from river flooding.
For more information on the Tampa Bypass Canal System, visit WaterMatters.org/projects/tampa-bypass-canal-system.