PANAMA CITY – Contractors for the Northwest Florida Water Management District continued work this week in Bay County clearing debris and materials from Bayou George Creek and Bear Creek.
Much of the debris first appeared in the two creeks following the landfall of Hurricane Michael in 2018. Subsequent hurricanes, tornadoes, and other heavy storms added more debris to these waterways, causing flooding issues and impacting the natural flow of water in this area.
Slightly more than $2.7 million was appropriated by the Florida legislature, distributed through the Department of Environmental Protection, and approved in the most recent budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fund the removal of storm-related debris from more than eight miles of Bear Creek and more than four miles of Bayou George Creek.
“We remain grateful to DEP, the legislature – especially Sen. Trumbull and Rep. Griffitts – and to Gov. DeSantis for the assistance to finally complete clean-up efforts along Bayou George and Bear Creek,” said George Roberts, Chairman of the Governing Board for the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “We are not working alone on this project. Bay County leaders are assisting by assigning crews to haul off and dispose debris once it has been removed from these creeks. The County is also helping our contractors identify staging areas where equipment can be launched and debris can be consolidated prior to disposal.”
All debris removal will be conducted in an environmentally sensitive manner and will remain in compliance with permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The removal of boats, vessels, or other watercraft is not allowed.
“For Bay County residents, cleaning up after Hurricane Michael and all the storms that followed has been a long and sometimes difficult process,” said State Sen. Jay Trumbull, who represents Bay County. “That’s why I’ve been committed to ensuring the water management district has the resources it needs to get this work done. I’m grateful for their efforts to remove fallen trees and debris, which will ease flooding concerns and bring relief to the families who live here.”
Debris removal began first on Bayou George Creek, where contractors will clear more than four miles of waterway as part of the project. Contractors will use a variety of methods to extract the debris and place it on dry land. Bay County work crews will then transport and dispose of the debris at appropriate disposal locations.
“Returning these waterways to their natural state so the water can move like it’s supposed to move will do so much to lessen the risk of flooding in this area,” said State Rep. Griff Griffitts, who represents Bay County. “I appreciate the work of the water management district but also Bay County officials who have stepped up and coordinated the disposal of this debris. That is a huge cost savings for this overall project and it does make a difference.”
Only debris located in public waters and rights of way will be removed as part of this project.
“Clearing Bayou George and Bear creeks will give families in the area peace of mind while helping protect their properties from future flooding,” Bay County Commission Chairman Doug Moore said. “We thank our state partners and the Northwest Florida Water Management District for making this project a reality, and we are happy to be a part of the effort.”
The project is expected to be completed no later than March 14, 2026.