Biscayne National Park

Increased Reliability of Potable Water

The park is primarily water-based and attracts an average of 709,000 visitors annually. HECO Engineers have been tasked with the design and replacement of underground distribution system gate valves at Convoy Point, the only part of the park connected to the mainland. This project aims to increase the reliability of potable water to park facilities, especially during storm events.

HECO Engineers’ Role

Tasked with designing and replacing underground distribution system gate valves at Convoy Point.

Project Goals

• Increase the reliability of potable water to park facilities.
• Allow maintenance without shutting down all facilities.
• Improve resilience against storm and tidal events.

Project Outcome

The new design will result in increased reliability of potable water to park facilities during storm events and will help mitigate hazards from storm and tidal events.

 

Biscayne National Park History

Established on June 28th, 1980, Biscayne National Park in South Florida is situated just 20 miles south and across the bay from downtown Miami. It stretches across the upper half of the southern keys of the Biscayne Bay and is made up of 95% water. An average of 709,000 annual visitors come to the park to engage in a variety of activities such as fishing, boating, canoeing, and wildlife exploration. The waters themselves possess one of the world’s largest coral reefs and are home to over 600 species of fish, four different ecosystems, and wildlife ranging from sea turtles to dolphins and manatees.The eastern portion of the park features a series of keys that offer visitors countless opportunities for activities. Unexpected shallow waters and coral reefs created numerous ancient shipwrecks scattered across the keys on the   Atlantic side and serve as incredible grounds for snorkeling and diving opportunities.

Spite Highway is a hiking trail stretching over seven miles from end to end of the Elliot Key and serves as the central spot to a system of hiking trails across the key. Boca Chita Key is home to the world-famous and picturesque Boca Chita Lighthouse and serves as the main camping ground for the park. All of this, like the majority of the park, is only accessible by boat.

 

Design and Replacement of Underground Distribution System Gate Valves

Convoy Point represents the only part of the Park that is connected to the mainland. This includes the visitor center and the park administrative and headquarters buildings. HECO has been given the opportunity to perform a task order for the design and replacement of  the underground distribution system gate valves controlling the water distribution of Convoy Point. This includes the existing components and the design of replacement components where needed by addressing failing components, added redundancy and reliability, and code compliance. The project will  require the removal of old valves and band irrigation lines which are tied to the system and are failing.

The resulting design will enable the park to perform the required maintenance work on the system without closing all the facilities at the park. This will result in an increased reliability of potable water to park facilities during storm events and will help mitigate hazards from storm and tidal events.

 

• Bart Brooke recently had the opportunity to perform this site visit and scope out the nature of HECO’s role in the project. View his expert bio.
• This exciting opportunity is apart of HECO’s expanding services out east with the National Parks Service.
• HECO has completed over 250 task orders for the national parks service. Explore our NPS interactive map here: https://hecoengineers.com/national-parks