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Phillippi Creek Dredge

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Project Updates
View construction updates on Phillippi Creek and other projects in your area.
Traffic Impacts
Traffic and pedestrian impacts construction reports.
Water Atlas Page
Learn more about Phillippi Creek's water quality and other data.

Overview

Phillippi Creek is a 7.2-mile tidal creek and part of the Sarasota Bay Watershed. It plays an important role for adjacent communities, collecting and transporting stormwater to Roberts Bay. Over the past several years, areas of the creek have seen significant sediment buildup. Sarasota County's Stormwater Department is working with the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) to improve stormwater drainage and reduce flooding potential by dredging between the mouth of the creek and South Beneva Road.

Project Update 3/10/26

The Phillippi Creek High Spot project crews continue to make steady progress on the dredging project. Contractor is actively dredging and hauling of dredged material to the Lorraine Road site for future use.

Section Progress

Sections 4, 5, 9, and 10: Substantially completed
Sections 6 and 8: More than 50% completed
Section 11: Scheduled to begin in late March as crews mobilize the barge and equipment into the staging area north of Levee Trail Park
Section 7: Scheduled to begin in late spring 2026

Overall, the project is estimated to be 55% complete, and tentatively scheduled for completion in Summer 2026.

Safety Reminder

Residents and motorists should expect increased truck traffic near active dredging locations. For your safety, please:

Pay close attention to posted construction signage
Use caution when traveling through the area
Do not enter designated staging areas

Phillippi Creek Video Updates (Click to Expand)

VIDEO - Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Meeting: March 3, 2026 Phillippi Creek Dredge Update

VIDEO - The Phillippi Dredge Project is Underway!

VIDEO - Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Meeting: Stormwater Update 10/21/25

VIDEO - Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Meeting: Stormwater Update 10/8/25

VIDEO - Sarasota Board of County Commissioners Stormwater Workshop #4: Sept. 5, 2025

Sarasota Board of County Commissioners Meeting: Stormwater Update 6/3/2025

VIDEO - Stormwater Update: Improving flow in Phillippi Creek

VIDEO - Sarasota County Government Stormwater Workshop 5/21/25

VIDEO - Sarasota Board of County Commissioners Meeting: Stormwater Update May 6, 2025

Sarasota County Government Stormwater Workshop March 12, 2025

Sarasota County Government Stormwater Workshop January 21, 2025

Phase 1:

High-Spot Dredging (South Tuttle Avenue to South Beneva Road)

Summary:

Managed by Sarasota County to address critical areas of sedimentation between South Tuttle Avenue and South Beneva Road.
The Phase 1 dredging will provide a 50 feet wide by 4 feet deep Mean Low Water (MLW), along the creek centerline.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Permit (Permit No.:SAJ-2025-01036) issued on Oct. 8, 2025. The contract was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 21, 2025.

Funding:

Stormwater Environmental Utility funds.

Next Steps:

Construction began on Dec. 10, 2025. The contract period is 180 days. Phase 1 dredging completion is expected by the summer of 2026.

Lower (Tidal) Creek Dredging:

Summary:

Managed by WCIND to address sedimentation from the mouth of Phillippi Creek to approximately a quarter-mile east of U.S. 41.
The Lower Creek dredging will provide a 30 feet wide by 4 feet deep MLW, along the creek centerline.

Funding:

WCIND secured funding through County Navigation Improvement Funds (CNIF).

Next Steps:

ACOE Permit (Permit No.: SAJ-2024-03986-JLA) was issued on Oct. 8, 2025. WCIND has selected a contractor for Lower Creek dredging.

Phase 2:

Maximum Allowable Dredge

Summary:

Managed by Sarasota County to address sedimentation between the limits of WCIND dredge and Beneva Road.
Provide continuous dredge of 50 feet wide by 4 feet deep MLW, along the creek centerline. Dredge areas in addition to the 50 foot wide dredge, offset 35 feet from the edge of the creek, dredge two oxbows and areas adjacent to the current dam location (adjacent to the Southgate Community Center).
Areas outside of the 50’ channel (staying a safe distance from seawalls, docks, bridge embankments, etc.).

Funding:

Resilient SRQ Program funds.

Next Steps:

County staff continue coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to secure required permits, with a goal of obtaining approval by Fall 2026.

Dredging Operations

A minimum 10-foot buffer will be maintained from docks and other structures. As such, in some areas where the Creek narrows, the intended width of the dredge may not be achievable.

Project Area Benefits

~$41 million investment (Phase 1 and 2) in Sarasota County's stormwater system.
Commercial area: 2,108 properties within the Phillippi Creek basin
All residential and commercial properties located within Phillippi Creek basin will benefit from improved stormwater drainage.

Phillippi Creek Basin

FAQ

What is the importance of Phillippi Creek to Sarasota County Stormwater?

What policy does the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners have to maintain waterways, such as Phillippi Creek?

a. According to county code Article XXX Section 54-951, the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program (NWMMP) will provide services and facilities, including, but not limited to, boat traffic management, derelict vessel management, maintenance dredging for boating navigation, signage and boat traffic management, environmental enhancements, sediment source abatement, and boater safety and education, for certain waterways within the unincorporated County. The Waterways Management Program will provide services and facilities which constitute a higher level of service that is generally not provided by county governments for county purposes.

b. Background information regarding the county code listed above: In a June 2000 survey of 34 local governments in Southwest Florida by Biological Research Associates, seven out of 17 municipalities have dredging or waterways management programs, while only three out of 17 counties provide dredging or waterways management services. Those three counties fund such activities through municipal services taxing or benefit units, or other assessments levied on the waterfront properties. The Board of County Commissioners determined that the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program was to provide municipal services and essential facilities which should be funded principally by the property owners primarily benefitting from such municipal services and essential facilities.

What has been done since 2001 according to Board policy to dredge Phillippi Creek?

a. In 2001, the Board created the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program which is a resident-initiated and petition-driven process for maintenance dredging of navigable waterways. The program is funded by a non-ad valorem assessment of properties located on various navigable waterways including upland cut canals and natural waterbodies. County staff facilitates the feasibility study, design, permitting and construction of the projects and after project completion, benefitting properties are assessed to recover the cost.

b. One Navigable Waterways project (Phillippi Cove on Nassau Street) was completed in 2008.

c. The original America Drive project did not proceed beyond the feasibility study (due to lack of sufficient petition signatures) and was deactivated in 2008. The original Pirate’s Pass and Phillippi Creek Tuttle to Hyde Park projects did not proceed beyond the feasibility study (due to lack of sufficient petition signatures) and were deactivated in 2010. A combined America Drive/Pirate’s Pass/Ships Channel project did not proceed beyond the feasibility study (due to lack of sufficient petition signatures) and was deactivated in 2020.

What is dredging?

How is dredging regulated?

a. Any activity on or over wetlands and other surface waters (dredging) is regulated by the FDEP and five water management districts (Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida and South Florida) through the Environmental Resources Permitting program.

b. Dredging also is regulated by the federal government under a separate program administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The process is initiated by submitting a joint (interagency) application to the department or to one of the above water management districts. The appropriate agency is determined by a division of responsibilities specified in Operating Agreements between the agencies. Upon receipt of the application by the department or district, a copy also is forwarded to the USACE to initiate the federal permitting process.

c. Dredging is also regulated by local jurisdictions including the county’s Environmental Protection Division (Planning and Development Services Department) and the Comprehensive Plan which prohibits any new dredging.

Who is the USACE and why do they matter for Phillippi Creek dredging?

a. The USACE, through the Regulatory Program, administers and enforces Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA), Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, & Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). Under RHA Section 10, a permit is required for work or structures in, over, or under navigable waters of the United States. Under CWA Section 404, a permit is required for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States.

b. Many bodies of water, including wetlands and streams, are considered waters of the United States and are subject to the USACE regulatory authority. Based on the project impacts, the USACE will determine what type of permit is required.

When was the permit application for dredging submitted?

a. Standing Board policy since 2001, the county has operated the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program in accordance with its governing ordinance. At that time, the Board of County Commissioners directed that the program be funded principally by the property owners who directly benefit from the services provided. As a result, the cost of the program is not covered by general tax revenues, but through special assessments levied on those benefiting waterfront properties.

b. On March 12, 2025, the Board authorized the County Administrator to work with West Coast Inland Navigation District on design and permitting for emergency dredging of Phillippi Creek and bring it back to the board for further action.

c. On April 13, staff submitted the permit application to the USACE.

Why was Sarasota County not eligible for the emergency permitting process?

a. The USACE regulations define an emergency as a situation, which would result in an unacceptable hazard to life, a significant loss of property or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship if corrective action requiring a permit is not undertaken within a time period less than the normal time needed to process the application under standard procedures.

b. The USACE stated Sarasota County is not eligible for the emergency permitting process due to the size of the project, as well as the location of the dredge areas (not previously permitted). This permit application is routing through the Standard Permit process facilitated by the USACE in an expedited manner.

Will we be able to complete other projects with this permit?

To plan for future dredging in the other waterways, will the county apply for additional permits with the USACE?

What is Sarasota County’s Stormwater maintenance schedule for Phillippi Creek?

a. Maintenance on Phillippi includes annual excavation of sediment sumps near Beneva Road and Fruitville Road, hand-clearing of vegetation along the levee is completed alongside portions of the Creek inaccessible to heavy equipment twice a year, long arm mowing along the creek banks four times a year, excavated, mowed and reshaped by a walking excavator (Menzi) once a year. North of Beneva Road and removal of large debris (i.e. downed trees) on an as needed basis.

What does Sarasota County’s Stormwater group do for maintenance?

a. The Stormwater Operations team and its contractors maintain nearly 300 miles of open drainage in roadside ditches and swales, over 400 miles of closed drainage pipeline and 20,994 structures or inlets, nearly 600 acres of 305 lakes and ponds, moveable weir gates, stormwater pump stations, and canals, waterways and streams. They also mow 194 miles of canal annually and hand-clear 182 miles of canal semi-annually.

What opportunities has the county provided for feedback regarding Stormwater concerns?

What does this mean for the 2026 hurricane season?