Phillippi Creek Dredging News
In the aftermath of the 2024 storm season, Sarasota County Commissioners have voted to have $45 million dollars allocated to Phillippi Creek dredging.
As many residents already know, the main channel and oxbow canals have become heavily silted in over the past few years. These areas both provide crucial storm water runoff for all of South Gate and surrounding areas and their maintenance MUST be a priority to prevent the devastating flooding we all witnessed during last year’s hurricane season.
For the first time funding is available for dredging and if we do not take action our community will be overlooked. South Gate residents must show our numbers and speak up to make sure our interests are prioritized.
Right now, County Commissioners are deciding the future of Phillippi Creek—and under current policy, homeowners are expected to pay for dredging.
That’s wrong. Phillippi is the largest stormwater system in Sarasota County, and it silted up under the County’s management. This isn’t about boating—it’s about flood protection.
Latest News
How You Can Help
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The SGCA Civic Affairs sub-committee has been formed to help in the efforts to have the creek dredged. If you are interested in helping out please fill the form out here: Join the Creek Sub-Committee
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This is the first time in our community’s history that there are funds available for dredging, and we must take action to ensure that South Gate will be included in the plan.
If we don’t speak up now, South Gate WILL be left behind.
Project Updates
There are FOUR main projects for Dredging Phillippi Creek.
Project 1: Sarasota County High Spots
Scope: The county will preform emergency maintenance on various “high spots” from Tuttle Bridge to Beneva. This encompasses most of South Gate, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OXBOW CANALS of Mineola, River Ridge or Seclusion. We are continuing to push that these be added on once the permits are issued by the Army Corps.
Project Status: Army Corps is waiting on FDEP exemption or permit. A Request for more Information has been issued by FDEP.
Planning and Scope: Contractor Bids have been collected and will go in front of the Commissioners in October.
Begin Date: Unknown
Project 2: WCIND PERMIT- The MOUTH TO TUTTLE bridge
WCIND is managing and funding a project from the mouth to US-41. They were able to extend their permit to include all the way to Tuttle Bridge for the county, with the county covering the cost.
Project Status: Waiting on Army Corps of Engineers permits.
Planning and Scope: Bid packets are ready to fly once the Permit is issued.
Begin Date: Unknown
Project 3: South Gate oxbow Canals
The South Gate Oxbow Canals of Mineola, River Ridge, and Secclusion are not on any current Army Corps permit application. The hope is they will be able to be added to the permit once the permit is issued for Sarasota County’s High Spots.
Project Status: Data currently being collected. Survey crews were spotted last week on River Ridge.
Begin Date: We must continue to push to ensure these canals get dredged.
Project 4: Phillippi Creek Dam Removal
Sarasota County Commissioners voted on a proposal for the removal of the Phillippi Creek dam, a long-awaited project that directly impacts flood risks in South Gate. The community has long advocated for a full removal of the remnant structure that has caused issues in the creak for over 60 years.
Timeline:
2017 – Sarasota County (County), with cooperative funding from Southwest Florida Water Management District began to investigate the feasibility of removing the barrier structure.
January 2019 – The Phillippi Creek Barrier Removal Feasibility Study is released citing significant benefits in flood mitigation as well as water quality
April 2025 – The Sarasota County Commissioners approved a plan to begin the project.
This will require updating pricing and finalizing engineering
Any funds remaining will go to “construction” (demolition)
Watch the video from this meeting (25 minutes) of the approval and further explanation of the process