Maintenance

Mosquito Control Open-Channel Canals FY 2024-25 Work Plan

Volusia County has allocated $800,000 for the maintenance of 137 miles of Mosquito Control open-channel canals within the East Volusia Mosquito Control District for the FY 2024-25 budget year. These canals play a crucial role in both mosquito population control and stormwater drainage, as they help prevent water stagnation that contributes to mosquito breeding and mitigate flood risks by directing stormwater runoff.

Since Mosquito Control’s primary focus is pest management, they do not have the heavy equipment or personnel necessary to maintain these large open-channel canals. Instead, maintenance responsibilities are delegated to the Volusia County Drainage Task Team (DTT), which already conducts routine maintenance on the county’s stormwater systems.

Key Maintenance Tasks:

• Routine Canal Inspections & Surveys: Conducted after significant rainfall, before storms, and in response to citizen requests.
• Vegetation Control & ROW Spraying: Helps prevent overgrowth that could obstruct water flow.
• Mechanical & Hand Ditch Cleaning: Ensures canals remain unobstructed, with debris removal conducted both manually and using heavy equipment.
• Erosion Repairs & Bank Stabilization: Addresses structural issues caused by water flow and tidal influences.
• Chemical Ditch Maintenance: Utilizes chemical treatments to manage invasive vegetation and improve water flow.
• ROW Mowing & Slope Mowing: Maintains canal banks and adjacent rights-of-way for accessibility and functionality.

The work plan exceeds national recommendations for stormwater system inspections. While the American Society of Civil Engineers recommends inspections every three to six years, Volusia County inspects these canals three times per year, significantly increasing proactive maintenance efforts.

Additionally, the county has submitted multiple projects for potential funding under the USDA-NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program, including improvements for Groover Branch, Spruce Creek, and Lake Ashby Canal. If approved, Volusia County would oversee these projects, coordinating with incorporated cities to share potential cost matches.

Through this initiative, Volusia County aims to enhance stormwater flow, reduce flood risks, and improve public health by limiting mosquito breeding grounds—a vital step in balancing environmental preservation and community resilience.

Click here to view the FY 2024-25 Workplan, which includes a list of projects as well as the locations of the canals.