How to Prepare Your Ponds & Lakes for Hurricane Season
A practical guide for HOAs in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1–November 30. In Tampa Bay, August and September are typically the most active months, and the systems that make our neighborhoods livable—stormwater ponds, lakes, wetlands, culverts, and shoreline buffers—are on the front lines. When they’re healthy and well‑managed, they reduce flooding, trap pollutants, and protect downstream waters. When they aren’t, storms magnify problems: shoreline blowouts, fish kills, algal blooms, and costly emergency repairs.¹ ² ³
This guide translates the science, regulations, and on‑the‑ground lessons into a clear action plan for HOA boards and property managers. It also highlights where A&B Aquatics — Lake and Pond Management Solutions can step in with turnkey services before, during, and after a storm.
Why Hurricane Preparation for Ponds Matters (and How These Systems Work)
Modern HOA stormwater ponds (also called wet detention systems) are engineered to do two jobs: (1) provide flood attenuation by temporarily storing runoff and releasing it slowly, and (2) improve water quality by letting sediment and attached pollutants settle, and by filtering nutrients through littoral plant zones.² ⁴ ⁵ When major rain bands arrive, these systems take the first hit. A well‑maintained pond can:
Prevent localized flooding by capturing peak flows and keeping inlets/outlets clear.² ⁵
Protect downstream waters (bays, rivers, estuaries) by trapping sediments and nutrients.² ³ ⁵
Support fisheries when dissolved oxygen is stabilized by proper aeration and healthy littoral shelves.¹ ⁶
But storms also stress ponds:
Low dissolved oxygen from turbidity, organics, and prolonged cloud cover can trigger post‑storm fish kills.⁷ ⁸
Bank erosion accelerates under wave action and high stages, undermining sidewalks, seawalls, and HOA common areas.
Invasive plants spread rapidly into disturbed shorelines and outfalls, clogging structures and degrading habitat.
Bottom line: proactivity is cheaper than emergency work.
Know the Rules: Recent and Long‑Standing Laws HOAs Should Track
Regulations aren’t red tape—they’re the rulebook that keeps your community safe and compliant. Here are the most relevant frameworks for Tampa Bay HOAs.
1) Statewide Stormwater & ERP (Environmental Resource Permit) Requirements
Clean Waterways Act (SB 712) prompted FDEP to update Florida’s statewide stormwater design and operation rules in Chapter 62‑330, F.A.C. and the ERP Applicant’s Handbook (2024 updates). These emphasize performance‑based design and operation & maintenance (O&M) responsibilities that typically fall to HOAs, CDDs, or POAs.⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹
Your community’s ERP conditions likely require routine inspections, record‑keeping, and periodic reporting; O&M responsibilities are often recorded against the property in perpetuity.¹²
Action for HOAs: Confirm who your designated O&M entity is, locate your ERP, and verify inspection/maintenance frequencies before storm season.
2) NPDES MS4 Stormwater Program (Federal/State)
Florida implements the EPA’s NPDES MS4 program under §403.0885, F.S. Municipalities (your city/county) hold permits requiring them to reduce pollutant discharges. While the permit is held by the municipality, HOA practices directly affect compliance—especially keeping grass clippings, fertilizers, and illicit discharges out of the storm drain/pound network.¹³ ¹⁴ ¹⁵
Action for HOAs: Adopt BMPs that align with your city/county MS4 program (e.g., no yard waste in drains; rapid response to spills; keeping inlets/outfalls clear).
3) Local Fertilizer “Blackout” Ordinances (Nutrient Control)
Tampa Bay counties enforce summer fertilizer restrictions—critical during hurricane season when heavy rains wash nutrients into ponds.
Pinellas County: No nitrogen or phosphorus on turf/landscape June 1–Sept 30; 10‑ft fertilizer‑free zones near water; keep clippings out of streets/drains.¹⁶ ¹⁷
Hillsborough County: Seasonal blackout June 1–Sept 30 with specific application, weather, training, and enforcement provisions.¹⁸ ¹⁹
Pasco County: Code of Ordinances, Ch. 42 includes definitions and restrictions; prohibits application during tropical storm/hurricane watches or warnings and other specified conditions.²⁰ ²¹
Action for HOAs: Communicate blackout dates to landscapers and residents, maintain shoreline buffers, and document compliance.
4) Aquatic Plant & Herbicide Permitting (Waters of the State)
FWC permits are required before controlling or removing aquatic plants in “waters of the state,” with specific exemptions and conditions. This may apply to connected lakes/ponds or certain activities even on private waters.²² ²³
Action for HOAs: Don’t authorize treatments blindly. Confirm permit needs and hire licensed applicators who plan around storms.
5) Disaster Debris Rules (Before & After the Storm)
FDEP’s Disaster Debris Management Site (DDMS) guidance outlines how and where storm‑generated debris may be staged under emergency orders—never in wetlands or waterbodies.²⁴ ²⁵
State‑owned waterway debris coordination and reporting procedures are also defined; counties can request missions for removal.²⁶
In waterways/wetlands, certain removals may require USACE permits—coordinate before acting.²⁷
Action for HOAs: Pre‑identify lawful staging areas off the water, line up vendors, and document everything for FEMA/public assistance eligibility.
Pre‑Season (April–June): Build Resilience Before the First Cone Appears
1) Compliance & Paperwork Sprint
Locate ERP files and O&M plans; verify inspection frequencies, reporting windows, and site maps of inlets/outfalls.¹¹ ¹²
Confirm vendor compliance (licenses, FWC permits for aquatic work, herbicide labels/SDS on file).²² ²³
Update HOA policies to reflect fertilizer blackout rules, litter/yard waste control, and penalties.¹⁶–²¹
2) Map, Measure, Baseline
Lake Mapping & Bathymetry: Establish pre‑storm elevations, volumes, and muck depths to support future FEMA claims and prioritize dredging.
Shoreline condition survey: Identify undercuts, slumps, bare banks, or failed riprap.
Asset inventory: Fountains, aerators, timers, cabinets, transfer switches, diffusers, intake screens, and electrical pedestals.
A&B Aquatics services: Lake Mapping & Restoration development; Lake Mapping; Water Quality Testing & Restoration; Sediment & Muck Removal; Shoreline Erosion Management.
3) Vegetation & Buffer Upgrades
Install or refresh a 10‑ft “no‑mow/no‑fertilizer” buffer with Florida‑friendly native plants (e.g., Panicum hemitomon, Juncus, Pontederia, Spartina bakeri) to filter runoff and stabilize banks.²⁸ ²⁹ ³⁰
Remove invasives (torpedograss, cattail overgrowth, hydrilla, hyacinth) before storms so debris doesn’t choke structures.
A&B Aquatics services: Native Plants installation & restoration; Invasive Species Control; Wetland Management; Algae & Aquatic Weed Control.
4) Infrastructure Tune‑Up
Inlets/outfalls: Inspect and clear obstructions; repair broken grates, riprap, headwalls, and eroded slopes.² ³¹
Aeration systems: Service pumps, clean filters and nozzles, check GFCIs, install quick‑disconnects for submersible units so they can be pulled before a landfalling storm.
Electrical resilience: Elevate control panels, weatherproof enclosures, and ensure safe lock‑out/tag‑out procedures.
A&B Aquatics services: Fountains & Aeration; Fountains & Aeration maintenance; Shoreline Debris Removal & Erosion Control Management; Retention Pond Management services; Annual Management Programs.
5) Water Quality Prep
Baseline sampling (DO, pH, temperature, turbidity, nutrients). After storms, you need “before/after” data to guide recovery and justify budget shifts.
Circulation planning: Evaluate whether additional diffused aeration or surface fountains are warranted for heat‑of‑summer resilience.⁶
A&B Aquatics services: Water Quality Testing & Restoration; Fisheries sustainability restoration; Lake & Pond Products.
72 to 24 Hours Before a Storm: Hardening and Housekeeping
Drop in‑water assets: Remove or secure fountains, aerators, and intake screens per manufacturer guidance. Where removal isn’t feasible, lower floats, protect power cables, and lock enclosures.
Lower water levels? Only if your ERP allows temporary drawdown and outlet structures function properly. Unauthorized drawdowns can violate permit conditions and harm littoral zones.¹¹ ¹²
Stage debris management areas away from water, with access for haulers—never use the shoreline as a stockpile zone.²⁴ ²⁵
Walk the drainage path from upstream curb inlets to your pond. Clear grates and sweep gutters so first‑flush isn’t a mulch/leaf tsunami.² ³¹
Last‑minute vegetation: Remove loose palm fronds and dangling limbs away from the pond to reduce wind‑driven debris loading.
A&B Aquatics services: Lakefront cleaning; Weed Control spraying (pre‑storm where appropriate and permitted); Shoreline Debris Removal & Erosion Control Management; Beachfront Maintenance programs.
During the Event: Safety First
Never send staff or vendors onto banks, into flooded rights‑of‑way, or into in‑water work during tropical storm/hurricane conditions.
If you observe petroleum or chemical releases, report immediately through local emergency channels and follow your municipality’s MS4 illicit discharge procedures.¹³ ¹⁴
First 72 Hours After: Assess, Stabilize, Document
1) Rapid Triage
Photo/video every structure (inlets, skimmers, baffles, weirs, control boxes), shoreline segments, and access routes. Document high‑water marks.
Open inlets/outfalls. Remove vegetative mats and floating debris that threaten culverts. (Check for wildlife and hazards.)
Record electrical status. Don’t energize submerged equipment until inspected.
2) Water Quality & Fish Health
Test DO at dawn/dusk; low readings indicate hypoxia risk. Deploy temporary aeration where safe.
Report fish kills to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline (800‑636‑0511); they track events and provide guidance.⁸ ³² ³³
3) Shoreline & Erosion Control
Stabilize failures with coir logs, native plantings, and graded repairs; avoid bare‑soil edges.
Do not place storm debris on the shoreline or in littoral shelves; stage upland per debris rules.²⁴–²⁶ ²⁷
4) Regulatory Coordination
Check ERP conditions before any drawdowns, dredging, or structural repairs.¹¹ ¹²
Confirm permit needs for in‑water plant removal or herbicide use (if waters of the state or connected systems apply).²² ²³
A&B Aquatics services: Shoreline Erosion Management; Sediment & Muck Removal; Water Quality Testing & Restoration; Invasive Species Control; Lake Mapping & Restoration development; Fountains & Aeration maintenance.
30–90 Days After: Restore and Future‑Proof
Algae and nutrient pulse management: Post‑storm nutrient spikes often drive blooms. Combine spot‑specific algaecides (as permitted) with nutrient source control (strict adherence to fertilizer ordinances, leaf litter control, and buffer plantings).¹⁶–²¹ ²⁸–³⁰
Rebuild littoral shelves: Replant natives resilience‑style (dense plugs; biodegradable staking; staggered species for seasonal coverage).²⁸–³⁰
Re‑survey bathymetry & muck: Compare to pre‑storm maps; schedule targeted muck removal where storage volume was lost.
Update the O&M plan with lessons learned, photos, and revised inspection checklists.¹¹ ¹²
A&B Aquatics services: Native Plants installation & restoration; Wetland Management; Sediment & Muck Removal; Retention Pond Management services; Annual Management Programs.
Best‑Practice Checklist for HOA Boards (Pin, Print, Share)
Policy & Compliance
☐ ERP located and reviewed; O&M entity and contacts confirmed.
☐ MS4 illicit discharge policy communicated to vendors/residents.
☐ County fertilizer blackout calendar circulated (June 1–Sept 30) and enforced (Pinellas/Hillsborough/Pasco).
☐ FWC permit needs confirmed for any in‑water plant control.
Pre‑Season Fieldwork
☐ Lake mapping/bathymetry and muck measurements completed.
☐ Inlets, skimmers, and outfalls inspected and cleared.
☐ Shoreline slopes repaired; coir logs and native buffers installed.
☐ Aeration/fountain systems serviced; quick‑disconnects installed; panels elevated.
☐ Baseline water quality sampled.
72–24 Hours Pre‑Storm
☐ Fountains/aerators lowered or removed; power secured.
☐ Lawful debris staging area set up upland; hauler coordination complete.
☐ Grates/gutters cleared along the entire drainage path.
First 72 Hours Post‑Storm
☐ Photolog complete; high‑water marks recorded.
☐ DO checks at dawn/dusk; deploy temporary aeration as needed.
☐ Fish kill (if any) reported to FWC hotline.
☐ ERP/permit checks done before dredging, drawdowns, or in‑water herbicide use.
☐ Shorelines stabilized; replanting plan scheduled.
How A&B Aquatics Helps Tampa Bay HOAs Weather the Season
We serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco communities with rapid‑response programs designed for Florida’s wet season. Engage us à la carte or bundle into an Annual Management Program:
Lakefront cleaning and Beachfront Maintenance programs to keep first‑flush litter and storm debris out of structures.
Fountains & Aeration design, installation, and maintenance (timer optimization, cabinet hardening, seasonal pull‑and‑reset).
Lake Mapping & Restoration development and standalone Lake Mapping for volumes, bathymetry, and muck tracking.
Native Plants installation & restoration for resilient littoral shelves and Shoreline Erosion Management (coir logs, plant mixes, stabilization).
Fisheries sustainability restoration and Water Quality Testing & Restoration (DO support, nutrient diagnostics, targeted treatments).
Retention Pond Management services and Wetland Management aligned to ERP/MS4 BMPs.
Weed Control spraying and Algae & Aquatic Weed Control (FWC‑compliant; label‑driven; storm‑aware scheduling).
Shoreline Debris Removal & Erosion Control Management following FDEP debris guidance.
Sediment & Muck Removal planning and project management.
Invasive Species Control programs.
Lake & Pond Products (diffused aeration kits, fountains, native plant palettes, beneficial bacteria, and more).
Want the easy button? Our Annual Management Programs combine inspections, sampling, vegetation management, aeration service, and emergency readiness into a single predictable line item.
FAQs We Hear from HOA Boards
“Should we lower the pond before a storm?”
Only if your ERP allows it and your outlet structure is designed for safe drawdowns. Unapproved drawdowns can violate permits and harm littoral plants.¹¹ ¹²
“Do we need a permit to treat algae after the storm?”
If your pond is connected to other waters or otherwise meets “waters of the state” criteria, FWC permits may apply. Always check first.²² ²³
“Why do fish kills happen after hurricanes?”
Low dissolved oxygen from organic loading and extended overcast conditions is the usual culprit. Aeration helps; report events to FWC so they can track and advise.⁷ ⁸ ³² ³³
“Can we cut all the plants so it looks tidy for the board walk‑through?”
Keep native buffers. They reduce erosion, filter nutrients, and stabilize banks—exactly what you need during storm season.²⁸–³⁰
If you manage an HOA in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco, now is the moment to harden your ponds and lakes. Contact A&B Aquatics — Lake and Pond Management Solutions to schedule a pre‑season assessment, set up an Annual Management Program, or book post‑storm recovery support. We’ll tailor a plan that fits your shoreline, your budget, and your ERP conditions—so the next cone of uncertainty doesn’t become a certainty of costly repairs.
Notes & Sources
Southwest Florida Water Management District, Stormwater Systems in Your Neighborhood (Brooksville, FL: SWFWMD), accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/residents/stormwater-systems-your-neighborhood.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, Stormwater Systems (Brooksville, FL: SWFWMD), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/sites/default/files/store_products/stormwater_systems.pdf.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, “Stormwater Ponds — Your Questions Answered,” accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/the-newsroom/stormwater-ponds-your-questions-answered.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, “Stormwater Ponds,” accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/the-newsroom/stormwater-ponds.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, Stormwater Systems (Brooksville, FL: SWFWMD), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1558860/c2b68478-ea95-11e9-a272-0a20d2c7fac4/2524049/2c46f628-77ee-11ed-b631-02d1d386b665/file/SWFWMD%20Stormwater%20Systems%20Booklet.pdf.
University of Florida IFAS Extension, “Stormwater Pond Management — The Use of Fountains and Other Aeration Approaches (SL482/SS695),” last modified 2025, accessed August 21, 2025, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/SS695.
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Clean Waterways Act Stormwater Rulemaking — Adopted Revisions (Tallahassee: FDEP, May 28, 2024), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Stormwater%20Rule%20Update%20052824%20-%20FINAL_0.pdf.
FDEP, “Rule Development for Stormwater Design and Operations — Chapter 62‑330, F.A.C.,” workshop notice, last updated December 13, 2024, accessed August 21, 2025, https://floridadep.gov/water/engineering-hydrology-geology/content/33406-rule-development-stormwater-design-and-operations.
South Florida Water Management District (statewide SWERP), Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook, Volume I (effective June 28, 2024), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/swerp_applicants_handbook_vol_i.pdf.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, How to Operate and Maintain Your Stormwater Management System (Brooksville, FL: SWFWMD), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/sites/default/files/medias/documents/HowToOperMaintSMSinternet.pdf.
FDEP, “NPDES Stormwater Program,” accessed August 21, 2025, https://floridadep.gov/water/stormwater.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Sources: Developing Your MS4 Program,” last updated May 29, 2025, accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-municipal-sources-developing-ms4-program.
Florida Department of Transportation, “NPDES Storm Water,” accessed August 21, 2025, https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/divisions.shtm/npdes-stormwater.shtm.
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Pasco County, Code of Ordinances, ch. 42 (Environment), Article IV (Fertilizer Application), accessed August 21, 2025, https://library.municode.com/fl/pasco_county/codes/code_of_ordinances/278704?nodeId=PTICOOR_CH42EN.
Pasco County, Code of Ordinances, §42‑78 (Definitions; includes prohibited application periods such as tropical storm/hurricane watches or warnings), accessed August 21, 2025, https://pascocounty.elaws.us/code/coor_ch42_artiv_sec42-78.
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UF/IFAS Florida‑Friendly Landscaping Program, “Principle 9 Guidance: Protect the Waterfront,” accessed August 21, 2025, https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-9-guidance/.
UF/IFAS, GSI Plant Guide (June 28, 2023), PDF, accessed August 21, 2025, https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/fflifasufledu/docs/gsi-documents/GSI-Plant-Guide.pdf.
Southwest Florida Water Management District, Operation and Maintenance Guidelines — Stormwater Systems (inspection items), accessed August 21, 2025, https://www18.swfwmd.state.fl.us/Erp/Common/Controls/ExportDocument.aspx?OpaqueId=p2avH3Qj9SNwKvPrJjl3UlOnHUFJSHB_ZHW4eYdXU1igjP2sDJ8z42v0yL2jy0g4XJttc2Zg-9V85-kQB_4RyU_d5Bz6WD0mrmUgZlWBWDQ%3D.
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Prepared by A&B Aquatics — Lake and Pond Management Solutions. Serving HOAs across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties with science‑forward, regulation‑ready lake and pond care.
