With hurricane season just days away, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is highlighting major upgrades to the Tampa Bypass Canal-an essential flood control system that protects Tampa-area neighborhoods from catastrophic flooding during major storms. The canal, which diverts billions of gallons of water away from the Hillsborough River during hurricanes, played a crucial role when Hurricane Milton struck. The night hurricane Milton hit, Randall Going was staying in this house right on the Hillsborough River. And watched – as the water just kept rising. Going and his neighbors avoided flooding, thanks in large part to the canal. “Yeah, it would’ve come up and over a lot more than it did,” Going said. Originally built in 1960 after Hurricane Donna devastated Temple Terrace and Tampa, the canal moved 7.2 billion gallons of water per day at its peak during Hurricane Milton. SWFWMD Operations Bureau Chief Jerry Mallams explained the potential consequences if the canal had not been in place. “I think one of the more impactful things… And we don’t know what would’ve happened… Is the likely possibility that the City Of Tampa has a dam that they get their drinking water for the region from and that dam… it could’ve failed. Had that additional water been in the river,” said Mallams. SWFWMD is now repairing damage to part of the canal’s retention wall caused by the immense water flow during Milton. The agency is also fortifying the S160 structure north of Highway 60. Crews are installing a cathodic protection system to shield the concrete’s metal rebar from saltwater corrosion, which could extend the structure’s useful life by another 50 to 100 years. “If we are able to protect the rebar it could extend the useful life you know, into perpetuity,” Mallams said. During Hurricane Milton, only four of the canal’s six gates were opened, meaning there is still additional capacity if needed. While some mechanical damage also occurred, SWFWMD officials assure the public that the bypass canal remains fully functional as hurricane season approaches.