City of Lakeland, FL
10/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2024 10:45
Public Notice: Additional Pump Installed At Lake Bonny - Test To See If It Provides Additional Relief
Public Notice: Additional Pump Installed At Lake Bonny - Test To See If It Provides Additional Relief
LAKELAND, FL (October 30, 2024) - To decrease the water levels at Lake Bonny, the City of Lakeland will be adding an additional pump as a TEST to see if it provides additional relief for Lake Bonny.
Water levels are dropping faster in Lake Parker than Lake Bonny. This is causing the water level in the Canal Street conveyance ditch to lower in conjunction with Lake Parker. Lake Parker's drop in water elevation has allowed the City pump to operate at maximum capacity.
The City has been granted permission to install a temporary pump that will add more water volume into the system to help increase flows from Lake Bonny into Lake Parker. The secondary pump can move up to 4,500 gallons of water per minute.
The secondary pump will start at idle speed and ramp up slowly with supervision from the Southwest Florida Water Management (SWFWMD) and the City of Lakeland. The system will be monitored to make sure the conveyance ditch and underground plumbing can accommodate the additional outflow. Initial operation of the secondary pump will be a test. If the operation of the pump is successful without any adverse impacts, pump capacity will be increased. However, if there are adverse conditions, the secondary pump will be taken offline.
On October 23, 2024, the Army Corps of Engineers began operating two pumps at Lake Bonny with a combined total output of 5,600 gallons per minute. The strategy has closed a portion of Main Street to run above ground pipe from Lake Bonny to a stormwater outflow on North Gary Road. The stormwater system discharges to Lake Parker and flows to Lake Hancock before being discharged to the Peace River. The SWFWMD oversees and manages water bodies that flow to the Peace River.
With the installation of the new pump, there will now be four high-capacity industrial pumps moving water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker.
Contact
Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
[email protected]
About Lakeland
The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population fast approaching 130,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State in 1889.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.
Posted by Communications on 30 Oct 2024