Swales are designed, permitted, to meet local and state water management standards at the time of construction. Swales constructed after 1984 are designed such that all or the vast majority of the water is gone in 36 hours. This is a requirement of the South Florida Water Management District. However, some of the water in deeper swales or swales constructed prior to 1984 may never disappear during the rainy season due to a high groundwater table. The groundwater table is a fluctuating upper surface of a saturated zone.
Drainage is an important issue for the people of Lee County.
We all need to understand the basics of how drainage works, when a drainage problem exists and how to protect our swales.