How a park and pond could solve South Tampa’s flooding problem

By combining man-made structures and the natural environment, city officials are working on a project that will hopefully alleviate flooding there.

Tampa officials are speeding up construction of one of the largest stormwater ponds in the city as flooding continues to affect residents.

The Mobility Department focuses on improving city infrastructure and chose what is currently known as the MacDill 48 park for the project. The 48-acre park, which the city purchased in 2002, is located off MacDill Avenue just south of Interbay Boulevard.

The pond is built to hold around 25 million gallons of water, or 1,650 swimming pools, and will be surrounded by a nature trail.

City officials say the plan combines several approaches to solve the flooding problems in the area.

“Concrete-based solutions alone are not going to get us there,” said Mobility Director Vik Bhide.

“We also need green infrastructure and generally create sponge-like surfaces, or sponge-like cities, so that we absorb rainwater more as part of our flood management solutions.”