The Tampa Bypass Canal and Palm River are a 14-mile-long (23 km) flood bypass operated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District . The canal includes several concrete flood control structures and was constructed during the 1960s and 1970s. Its purpose is to redirect flood waters from large amounts of rainfall from the Hillsborough River to Tampa Bay to prevent floodwaters reaching homes and businesses. Despite its original purpose it is now used as a drinking water source for the City of Tampa . During construction of the canal the Floridan aquifer was accidentally breached.
6-715: When there is a large amount of rainfall and flooding is expected, this structure redirects the rising waters along the Hillsborough River into the constructed canal and down to McKay Bay . This protects homes and businesses in Temple Terrace and Tampa from flooding. The Tampa Bypass Canal works together with the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area, which is land owned by the District. This land provides an area for
12-418: A power plant fueled with refuse. The lake was man-made and was once used as a cooling pond for a city incinerator. McKay Bay is at the northeast corner of Hillsborough Bay , which is the name given to the portion of Tampa Bay on the east side of Tampa's Interbay Peninsula. It is named after James McKay Sr. The Lake is undredged and shallow. It is surrounded by mangrove and salt marsh wetlands. At low tide,
18-698: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . McKay Bay McKay Bay is the name given to the northeastern corner of Tampa Bay , a body of water in Tampa, Florida . The McKay Bay Greenway runs through the area on the east side of McKay Bay and connects to the Tampa Bypass Canal . McKay Bay Nature Park is located at 685 North 34th Street in Tampa. The area also includes the McKay Bay Resource Recovery Plant ,
24-464: The exposed area is a feeding ground for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. Avian residents include the American avocet , black-necked stilt , black skimmer , white pelican, Northern shoveler , canvasback , green wing teal , ruddy duck and glossy ibis . McKay Bay Nature Park is a 38-acre park on McKay Bay that is part of the larger 200-acre McKay Bay Park and Greenway. The park
30-508: The largest undeveloped areas in Hillsborough County, this area is managed for its water resources and flood management functions. But it has also become a favorite recreational area and a regionally important wildlife area. It is used as a rowing venue for USRowing . 27°56′31″N 82°24′50″W / 27.942°N 82.414°W / 27.942; -82.414 This Hillsborough County, Florida location article
36-595: The storage and detention of overflow water from the Hillsborough River and the Tampa Bypass Canal. Because it is used for water overflow storage, there are no homes or businesses built here. The land in the Lower Hillsborough Flood Detention Area represents a variety of natural habitats along portions of the Hillsborough River and the connecting floodplain areas. Habitats include river swamps with cypress trees and hardwoods, cabbage palms and oak hammocks, and some areas of pine lands and palmetto prairies. As one of
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