From the March issue: Last fall, media reports showed mullet fish swimming along flooded Fort Lauderdale streets during a “king tide” — the exceptionally high seasonal tide that has become a more common and more problematic occurrence over the past few years. The scene made for a compelling story, and some articles even compared the city’s problems to those of Venice, the picturesque yet sinking Italian city, raising concerns about rising sea levels in this rapidly growing coastal community, where pricey homes and condos abound.
The 38-square-mile Broward County seat, which on average is about seven to eight feet above sea level, has seven miles of coastline and 165 miles of canals and navigable waterways, as well as other water channels. Elevations differ throughout the city: Fort Lauderdale Beach is around 10 feet above sea level, while inland areas are much lower. [more]