Trout River and Ribault River seawall planning
The Trout and Ribault rivers are quieter Northside tributaries, but Nicole flooded them worse than Irma. Softer shoreline options are worth discussing here.
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Get to know your waterfront
The Trout and Ribault rivers are tributaries on the north side of the St. Johns in Jacksonville’s Northside. The city’s 2026 shoreline model found most of their banks suitable for living shorelines or not needing stabilization, and names Ribault River Preserve as a candidate public living-shoreline site. The Jacksonville Zoo near the Trout River mouth has the city’s only built living shoreline.
Living Shoreline Suitability Model (LSSM) report · USGS GNIS Streams (Mouth) and Other Hydrographic Features, Duval County
Nicole, not Irma, was the worst here
In Nicole, the Weather Service logged up to 2.5 feet of surge in neighborhoods near the Trout River, and the Trout River gauge peaked at 3.72 feet above normal high water, higher than its 2.91 feet in Irma. Do not assume Irma was the worst case on every creek. Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (PSHJAX) · Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section E
The CSX railroad drawbridge at Trout River mile 0.9 is untended and normally open, closing automatically for trains. Contractors should plan marine equipment trips around it. 33 CFR 117.337 Trout River
The city completed drainage outfalls to the Ribault River off Ribault Scenic Drive and is studying flooding in the Ken Knight Drive area. COJ Capital Projects layer · COJ Capital Projects layer
What could the work cost?
On low-energy frontage, a living or hybrid edge may cost less than a full wall; ask for both.
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 Trout and Ribault 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.
Ask about a living shoreline
The city’s model rates much of this frontage suitable for softer edges.
Plan your Trout & Ribault Rivers seawall project
Tell us where your Trout & Ribault Rivers 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.
Trout & Ribault Rivers project questions
What flood zone is the Riverview area in?
The city’s flood map puts Riverview Park in zone AE with a base flood elevation of 5 feet NAVD88; check your own lot.
Keep planning
Nearby waterfront guides
Fort George Island & Northside Marshes, Riverside & Avondale
Show sourcesHide sources
- Living Shoreline Suitability Model (LSSM) reportSource reviewed 2026-10-24
- USGS GNIS Streams (Mouth) and Other Hydrographic Features, Duval CountySource reviewed 2026-10-24
- Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (PSHJAX)Source reviewed 2026-10-24
- Post Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (PSHJAX), Section ESource reviewed 2026-10-24
- 33 CFR 117.337 Trout RiverSource reviewed 2026-11-05
- COJ Capital Projects layerSource 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
- Representative coordinates: Trout River / Ribault RiverSource reviewed 2026-10-24