Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study (Section 203) - Broward Basins

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is utilizing Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended, to advance the Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study – Broward Basins with support from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Broward County, and technical/federal assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Jacksonville District, for inclusion in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026.

The C&SF Flood Resiliency Study for Broward Basins Study presents the recommended plan to reduce inland flood risks within eastern Broward County and portions of southern Palm Beach County, respective to Reach A of the C&SF Flood Resiliency Study, under current and future conditions. The Recommended Plan reflects a risk-informed approach that balances economic performance, long-term regional resilience, life safety considerations, and environmental outcomes. The plan focuses on enhancing the reliability, functionality and capacity of main water control structures within the C&SF system to improve flood risk management. The C&SF Section 203 Study Area consists of approximately 420 square miles, within the eastern portion of Broward County and a small portion of southern Palm Beach County. The Study Area extends from the eastern side of the East Coast Protective Levee and the Intracoastal Waterway and encompasses nine upstream watersheds and six downstream watersheds, all exposed or vulnerable to flooding.

The C&SF Section 203 Study Action Area, representing the focus area for proposed solutions, encompasses approximately 302 square miles of managed upstream watersheds and includes nine water control structures owned and operated by the SFWMD. This area is bound to the west by the Everglades Protection Area and represents roughly two-thirds of Broward County’s urbanized area. It is characterized by a mix of suburban, coastal, and urban residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. The Action Area encompasses 1.35 million residents that contribute to significant economic activity, critical infrastructure, and regional economic output.

The objective of the C&SF Section 203 Study is to enhance the C&SF Project water control structures’ reliability, functionality and capacity to reduce flood damages and improve resiliency within the Action Area caused by inundation and changed conditions within the Study Area over the 50-year period of analysis of 2035 to 2085.

This C&SF Section 203 Study focuses on reducing inland and riverine flood risks driven by extreme rainfall, groundwater response, sea level rise, and tidal conditions that affect the discharge capacity within the managed C&SF canal system. Although portions of the Study Area are affected by storm surge and elevated tides, this Study focuses on the compound flooding conditions represented by estimated total water levels. A subsequent coastal storm risk management study is recommended to further evaluate surge-driven flooding, high tide flooding, and sea level rise impacts in these areas.

The C&SF Section 203 Study supports authorization of the Recommended Plan as a technically sound, and risk-informed investment that will enable the C&SF system’s water management infrastructure to effectively adapt to changing conditions while increasing community, economic, and ecosystem resiliency. The plan also reduces life safety risks by improving system performance under extreme conditions, supporting critical infrastructure continuity, and reducing the likelihood of infrastructure failure and service disruption.

Study Progress

The District has been working closely with the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) Civil Works for the final report review, and transmitted the Final Corrected Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment in September 2026. Also, in September 2026, the ASA determined that the recommended plan is feasible and complies with applicable Federal laws and regulations.

• Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (Main Report) 
• EA FONSI – Environmental Assessment Finding of no Significant Impact
• Appendix A: Annex A-2.1 Model Documentation Report  
• Appendix B: Environmental Resources 
• Appendix C: Plan Formulation 
• Appendix D: Benefits Analyses 
• Appendix E: Cost Engineering and Risk Analysis 
• Appendix F: Real Estate Plan 
• Appendix G: ESA Coordination and Consultation 
• Appendix J: Public and Agency Involvement 
• Appendix K: Cultural Resources Supporting Information 
• Appendix L: Air Quality 
• Appendix M: Technical Review Document

Project Milestones

Project Documents

• 20240717 Bartlett SFWMD Letter Intent
• 20240822 Connor_USACE_ASA_Letter_Acceptance
• 20250429 Bartlett SFWMD Final Report Transmittal Letter ASA Review
• 20250429 Fur Broward County Support Letter Transmittal
• 20260916 Forsgren - Bartlett ASA Feasible Federal Compliant Plan
• Broward Basins Flood Resiliency Study Placemat

For more information, email resiliency@sfwmd.gov 

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