Edgewater Adds Canal Monitoring System After Repeated Flooding

New real-time data will help city identify and address flooding issues more proactively.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a flooded canal, with the water levels rising high above the surrounding terrain and obscuring any visible structures or objects. The scene conveys a sense of the overwhelming power and scale of the natural environment.A new canal monitoring system aims to help the city of Edgewater better understand and address its ongoing flooding challenges.Edgewater Today

The city of Edgewater, Florida has installed five new canal monitoring devices to track stormwater levels in real-time after residents like Cynthia Yats have experienced repeated flooding damage to their homes. The mayor says the new technology will help the city identify problem areas, determine when maintenance is needed, and take proactive steps to mitigate flooding risks. However, some residents remain skeptical that monitoring alone will solve the underlying drainage issues.

Why it matters

Edgewater has faced an ongoing battle with flooding, with some residents like Cynthia Yats dealing with repeated flood damage to their homes. The new canal monitoring system is an attempt by city leaders to take a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing flooding problems before they escalate.

The details

The canal monitoring devices transmit live data directly to the city engineer, allowing them to track stormwater levels and identify issues like clogged canals that may be contributing to flooding. Mayor Diezel Depew says the technology will help the city determine when and where maintenance is needed to keep the canals clear. However, some residents like Cynthia Yats remain skeptical that monitoring alone will solve the underlying drainage problems, and believe the city needs to find additional ways to divert stormwater away from vulnerable areas.

  • The new canal monitoring devices were installed in Edgewater, Florida in 2026.
  • Cynthia Yats has experienced repeated flooding damage to her home, with the most recent incident occurring just as she was finishing repairs from a previous flood.

The players

Cynthia Yats

An Edgewater resident who has experienced repeated flooding damage to her home.

Diezel Depew

The mayor of Edgewater, who says the new canal monitoring system will help the city take a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing flooding issues.

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What they’re saying

“I got the house partially back together, and here comes Milton. And I had to tear everything I just put back in out here.”

— Cynthia Yats, Edgewater Resident

“This will certainly help mitigate flooding because it will tell us where our problematic areas are hourly. It'll monitor that system and that area, and we'll know exactly when we have to pump it.”

— Diezel Depew, Mayor of Edgewater

What’s next

The city plans to use the data from the new canal monitoring devices to identify problem areas and determine when maintenance is needed to keep the canals clear and prevent future flooding.

The takeaway

The installation of the new canal monitoring system in Edgewater represents a proactive step by city leaders to address the ongoing flooding issues faced by residents. However, some remain skeptical that monitoring alone will solve the underlying drainage problems, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to flood mitigation in the community.