Lakeshore and Cedar River seawall planning
Lakeshore sits where the Cedar River meets the Ortega River. The water looks sheltered, but surge piles up here: the Cedar River gauge had the highest Irma storm tide in Duval.
Describe your project on this page ↓
Get to know your waterfront
Lakeshore is on the west side of the Ortega River near the mouth of the Cedar River, west of the Ortega peninsula. These are sheltered tributaries off the St. Johns, but storm surge funnels into them. In Irma the Cedar River gauge recorded a 5.66-foot storm tide above normal high water, the highest of the Duval tributary gauges in the Weather Service’s report.
USGS GNIS Streams (Mouth) and Other Hydrographic Features, Duval County · Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section E · USGS GNIS Populated Places, Duval County (National Map geonames service)
Sheltered water, high storm tides
In Nicole the Cedar River gauge reached 3.73 feet above normal high water, higher than the downtown St. Johns gauges. Walls here can sit quietly for years and then be overtopped. Ask the assessor to look at cap height, washed-out fill and drainage behind the wall. Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (PSHJAX), Section E
The city’s shoreline model names the Ortega River as a likely place for living shorelines. On low-energy frontage, ask whether a planted or hybrid edge could replace or front part of a wall. Living Shoreline Suitability Model (LSSM) report
The city’s Cedar River channel-lining project covers the upper river from I-10 to Ramona, not the tidal Lakeshore frontage. Marine equipment may need to pass the Ortega River bascule bridge. COJ Capital Projects layer · Ortega River Drawbridge Painting Begins Monday
What could the work cost?
Sheltered sites can suit smaller equipment, but bridge access and storm-height decisions still drive cost.
Published prices are attributed planning context from contractors’ own pages, not a measured Jacksonville average or this website’s quote. Ranges differ about five-fold between publishers; your written, itemized scope decides the real number.
Compare quotes and plan a budget →Find the relevant permits and records
| Starting point | What to resolve | Prepare and look up |
|---|---|---|
City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division | Building permit through JaxEPICS after zoning, drainage and any flood or historic review; inspections. | Signed and sealed drawings, survey and site plan as unlocked PDFs. 214 N. Hogan St.; 904-255-8500. |
Florida DEP Northeast District (Jacksonville) | State environmental resource permit or exemption, and state-lands consent for work at or below the high-water line. DEP handles single-family docks and shore protection not tied to a larger development. | Survey with the existing wall face and high-water line, the proposed alignment and photos. DEP Northeast District: 904-256-1700. |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District | Federal authorization for work in tidal and navigable waters, often verified by DEP through the state programmatic general permit or covered by a nationwide permit. | Ask DEP whether its review includes federal verification for your scope, or which nationwide permit applies. |
A Lakeshore checklist
Use these steps to prepare.
Pull your permit and parcel history
Search past permits in JaxEPICS (guest sign-in) and look up your parcel with the Duval County Property Appraiser before the assessment.
Services Provided: Violation or Permit Record Search · Duval County Property Appraiser
Ask for your flood zone and elevation certificate
The city’s floodplain coordinator (904-255-8366) provides flood zone determinations and copies of available elevation certificates.
Compare your cap to recent storm tides
Irma reached 5.66 feet and Nicole 3.73 feet above normal high water at the Cedar River gauge.
Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section E · Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (PSHJAX), Section E
Ask about living-shoreline options
The city’s model flags the Ortega River as suitable in many places.
Plan your Lakeshore & Cedar River seawall project
Tell us where your Lakeshore & Cedar River property is, what you have noticed and what you want to decide. We will help you plan the next step.
Local guidance. A clearer plan for your waterfront.
Lakeshore & Cedar River project questions
Was Irma worse here than downtown?
At the gauges, yes: the Cedar River gauge’s 5.66-foot storm tide was higher than the Southbank gauge’s 4.94 feet.
Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section E
Keep planning
Nearby waterfront guides
Show sourcesHide sources
- USGS GNIS Streams (Mouth) and Other Hydrographic Features, Duval CountySource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section ESource reviewed 2026-10-24
- USGS GNIS Populated Places, Duval County (National Map geonames service)Source reviewed 2026-10-24
- Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (PSHJAX), Section ESource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Living Shoreline Suitability Model (LSSM) reportSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- COJ Capital Projects layerSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Ortega River Drawbridge Painting Begins MondaySource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Online/Electronic Permit SubmissionSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Building Inspection DivisionSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Northeast DistrictSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Operating Agreements ERP Permitting: DEP District Offices and the Water Management District OfficesSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Operating Agreement Concerning Regulation Under Part IV, Ch. 373, F.S., Between SJRWMD and DEP (eff. 07/01/07)Source reviewed 2026-10-24
- Federal Permits and Coordination Agreements Between DEP, WMDs, and the U.S. Army Corps of EngineersSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- SPGP VI – 1. Shoreline Stabilization, Activity descriptionSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Reissuance and Modification of Nationwide Permits (91 FR 768, Jan. 8, 2026)Source reviewed 2026-10-24
- Services Provided: Violation or Permit Record SearchSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Duval County Property AppraiserSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Floodplain ManagementSource reviewed 2026-10-24