polk county board of county commissioners environmental ... · commissioner don gifford, district 1...

Polk County Board ofCounty Commissioners

Environmental Management DepartmentNatural Resources Division

Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Commissioner Don Gifford, District 1Commissioner Randy Wilkinson, District 2Commissioner Jack R. Myers, District 3Commissioner Bruce L. Parker, District 4

Commissioner Neil Combee, Chairman, District 5

Jim Keene, County Manager

Darrell Gunn, Environmental Services Department Director

Jeff Spence, Natural Resources Division Director

Natural Resources Water Resources Section Staff

Robert Kollinger, P.E. Water Resources EngineerDiane Gibson, Laboratory Manager

Joe King, Lakes ManagerHong Nguyen, Environmental Specialist III - Chemist

Conley Whiddon, Environmental Technician IIIRobbie West, Environmental Technician III

Michele Medani, QA/QC Data ManagerMark Mikolon, Environmental Specialist III

Will Harboe, Environmental Specialist ISheryl Taggart, Secretary

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV

SECTION I - MISSION & SCOPE OF WORKMission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Laboratory and Water Quality Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Lake Management / Water Quality Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Atmospheric Deposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Lake Mariana Water Quality Assessment Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Banana Lake Post Dredging Evaluation Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Jan-Phyl Storm Water Retrofit Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Alafia River Process Water Spill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Lake Hancock/Upper Peace River Enhancement Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Garden Grove Pines Stormwater Retrofit Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Stephenson Avenue Stormwater Retrofit Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Education Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Public Education Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Polk County Lakes Atlas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

SECTION II - LAKE and STREAM WATER QUALITYLake Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Stream Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SECTION III - POLK COUNTY LAKE LEVELSLake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

APPENDIX ALake Water Quality Data and Charts

APPENDIX BStream Water Quality Data and Charts

APPENDIX CGlossary

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report II

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE No. PAGE

1 Environmental Tech prepares to collect a lake water sample with a Kemmerer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Water Analyses being performed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Wet/Dry Atmospheric Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Aerial of Lake Mariana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Banana Lake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Lake Manager Identifying Algae Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Jan Phyl Retrofit Ponds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Northern Section of Lake Hancock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Kiosk at Banana Lake Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1110 Heavy Metals analysis being performed on Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer . . . . . . . . . 1211 Algae Bloom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2212 Collection of Algae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2213 2000 TSI Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2414 2000 WQI Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2515 Peace River in Bartow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2616 Peace River in Bartow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2617 Peace River in Homeland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2718 Withlacoochee River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2719 Saddle Creek at Hwy. 540 at Lake Hancock Outfall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2720 Stream Sample Location Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2821 Lake Thomas Boat Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3122 Staff Gage on Lake Ina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3123 Lake Wales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3224 Lake Starr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3225 Lake Hollingsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3326 Canal from Lake Mirror to Lake Cannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3327 Lake Alfred Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4128 Lake Annie Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4129 Lake Arietta Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4230 Lake Blue Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4231 Lake Bonny Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4332 Lake Buffum Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4333 Crooked Lake Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4434 Lake Deer Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4435 Lake Deeson Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4536 Eagle Lake Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4537 Lake Garfield Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4638 Lake Lowery Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4639 Lake Otis Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4740 Lake Thomas Lake Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report III

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE No. PAGE

1 Florida Trophic State Index (TSI) Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Water Quality Index (WQI) Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 2000 Mean Chemical Lake Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 2000 Lake Water Quality Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 2000 Mean Chemical Stream Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 2000 Stream Water Quality Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Lake Levels for 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report IV

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Water Resources’ staff wish to thank all who assisted with the compilation of this report and whose namesmay have been inadvertently left out.

Cover Michele Medani

Primary Authors Joe King and Michele Medani

Contributing Authors Bob Kollinger, Diane Gibson, Mark Mikolon, Sheryl Taggart

Charts & Data Michele Medani

Maps C. Mike Smith

Art Work, Photos Michele Medani, Joe King, Mark Mikolon, Bob Kollinger, Kate Orellana

Field and Laboratory Diane Gibson, Hong Nguyen, Conley Whiddon, Mark Mikolon, WillHarboe, Joe King, Michele Medani

Special thanks are extended to all who have collected data used in this report. Contributors include variousdepartments of Polk County Government, State agencies, Water Management Districts, and citizens of PolkCounty. Without their help and dedication this report would not be possible.

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report

SECTION I

MISSION&

SCOPE OF WORK

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report -1-

Figure 1Environmental Tech prepares to collect a lake water

sample with a Kemmerer

Mission Statement

To monitor, manage, protect and improve the groundwater and surface water resources of Polk County for

the benefit of Polk County citizens and natural systems.

Introduction

The Water Resources Section of the Natural Resources Division consists of three groups: the Laboratory,

Lakes and Streams Management, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The

programs implemented by the Water Resources Section are mandated by federal or state regulations, Countyordinances, the County Comprehensive Plan, or as directed by the Board of County Commissioners. This

annual report provides a brief description of each of these programs.

Laboratory and Water Quality Assessments

The laboratory is responsible for the collection

and analysis of water samples. The laboratory

has adopted the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection (FDEP) Standard

Operating Procedures (SOP) for sample

collection and National Environmental

Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC)

Standards for lab operations. The laboratory

participates in annual performance evaluations

and system audits conducted by the Florida

Department of Health. Continued State

Certification for Safe Drinking Water Act and

Clean Water Act depends upon successful completion of these annual audits. Additionally, all lab results are

subject to quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) according to the NELAC Quality Systems Manual.

In 2000, the Water Resources Division also received CompQAP approval from USEPA for collection and

analyses for the Lake Mariana Project which includes atomospheric deposition sampling for nutrients, and

collection and testing for Enterococci bacteria.


Figure 2Water Analyses being performed

In 2000, samples were collected from approximately one hundred public access lakes and twelve streams in

Polk County. These lakes and streams are sampled twice a year to observe temporal and spatial ambient

water quality. Two numeric tools are used to alert staff to the water quality and also to evaluate the success

of water quality improvement efforts. They are the Florida Trophic State Index (TSI) (Huber, 1982) and the

Water Quality Index (WQI) (King, 1993).

The TSI, which was developed by the University of Florida Water Resources Research Center for FDEP,

is a tool used to describe relative productivity of a lake by summarizing the following water quality

measurements: nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and water clarity (Table 1). Although, the FDEP no longer

uses the secchi disc measurement for water clarity, all TSI calculations in this report included water clarity.

The Water Quality Index (WQI) published in 1993 (King, 1993) for South Florida waters, has been modified

for use in Polk County, see Table 2. The WQI is a linear, and parameter weighted index based on Florida

Class III Water Quality Standards. The index compares a derived water quality number to a formula using

a Class III Standard baseline number. A WQI number above the baseline indicates the waterbody does not

meet Class III Standards and a number below the baseline indicates it meets or exceeds the Standard. The

WQI is more sensitive to small changes in water quality than the TSI.

The laboratory also collected and analyzed

samples for various stormwater projects

including Jan Phyl Retrofit, Lake Mariana

Water Quality Improvement Project, the

investigation of a metric model for qualifying

human sewage contamination, and the

Atmospheric Deposition for the Winter Haven

Chain of Lakes. In addition, Division staff

collected pollution investigation regulatory

samples that were analyzed by the lab. During

the calendar year 2000, a total of 875 samples

were collected with 10,534 analyses

completed. The lab is staffed by a Laboratory

Manager, a part-time Chemist, two Environmental Technicians, and one QA/QC Data Manager.


0 - 49 (BEST) Oligotrophic50 - 59 (GOOD) Mesotrophic60 - 69 (FAIR) Eutrophic70 - Above (POOR) Hypereutrophic

Table 1

Florida Trophic State Index Equations*

TSI CHL a = 10 x (1.68 + 1.44 x LN (CHL a))TSISD = 10 x (6.0 - 3.0 x LN (SD))TSITP = 10 x (2.36 x LN (TP x 1000) - 2.38)TSITN = 10 x (5.96 + 2.15 x LN(TN))TSITNB = 10 x (5.6 + 1.98 x LN(TN))TSITPB = 10 x (1.86 x LN(TP x 1000) - 1.84)TSINUTR = 0.5 x (TSITNB + TSITPB)

Phosphorus Limited Lakes (PLL) TN/TP > 30 :TSIAVG = 1/3 x (TSICHL a + TSISD + TSITP)Nitrogen Limited Lakes (NLL) TN/TP < 10 :TSIAVG = 1/3 x (TSICHL a + TSISD + TSITN)Nutrient Balanced Lakes (NBL) > 10 TN/TP < 30 :TSIAVG = 1/3 x (TSICHL a + TSISD + TSINUTR)Where:TSICHL a = Trophic State Index Based on Chlorophyll aCHL a = Chlorophyll a concentration (mg/m3)TSISD = Trophic State Index Based on Secchi Disk DepthSD = Secchi Disk Depth (m)TSITP = Trophic State Index Based on Total PhosphorusTP = Total Phosphorus Concentration (mg/l)TSITN = Trophic State Index Based on Total NitrogenTN = Total Nitrogen Concentration (mg/l)TSITNB = Trophic State Index Based on Total Nitrogen BudgetTSITPB = Trophic State Index Based on Total Phosphorus BudgetTSINUTR = Trophic State Index Based on Total Nutrient BudgetTSIAVG = Average Trophic State Index

* Huber, et al (1982)


Table 2

Water Quality Index Equations *

Parameter

A Dissolved Oxygen, in mg/L

B Turbidity, in NTU

C Ammonia Nitrogen, in mg/L

D Total Nitrogen, in mg/L

E Total Phosphorus, in mg/L

F Chlorophyll a, in mg/m3

G Total Organic Carbon, in mg/L

Baseline Value = 6.00

The baseline closely approximates Florida Class III Criteria for Surface Water Quality. Class III waters are

for propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. WQI values more

than 6.00 do not meet the criteria and values less than 6.00 meet or exceed the criteria.

Starting in 1999, the Division started running Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The WQI was modified in 2000

to incorporate TOC into the equation, thus, changing the baseline from 6.50 in 1999 and previous years to 6.00

starting in 2000.

*King, J., Technical Report Series, TR 93-06, Broward County DNRP, Florida

Water Quality Index = [1.5*(4/A + 0.001)] + [0.5*(B/10) +[0.75*(C/0.1)] + [1*(D/1.5)] +[1*(E/0.05)] + [2*(F/40)]+[0.75*(G/16)]


The laboratory participated in projects with local agencies including Lake Region Lakes Management District

(LRLMD) the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Highlands County, Southwest

Regional Ambient Monitoring Program (SWRAMP), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD),

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary

Program (CHNEP) . Samples from 48 LRLMD lakes were analyzed in June, July, September, and

December. Samples were collected at the Jan Phyl stormwater retrofit project to determine pollutant

reduction efficiencies of the storm water treatment ponds. Analysis of enterococci in storm water and

surface water was performed on samples collected by Highlands County. Inter-laboratory calibration samples

were analyzed by members of the SWRAMP and results discussed in an effort to provide comparable water

quality data among different agencies. Monthly samples are collected on the Upper Kissimmee River, and

the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes for SFWMD. Monitoring is also performed at Kissimmee Park and Lake

Weohyakapka groundwater wells as part of the FDEP Groundwater Monitoring Program.

The Water Resources Section produces an Annual Hydrologic Report which summarizes information on

rainfall, lake levels, groundwater well levels, and evaporation rates. Currently, there are more than 140

rainfall stations, with more than 200 databases of daily and/or monthly rainfall data. There are approximately

45 volunteers who supply this data. Most stations report rainfall on a daily basis and provide a summary at

the end of each month. The periods of record for the rainfall stations range from less than one year to more

than 90 years. It should be noted that Polk County is located at the summit of the “hydrologic hill” of

Peninsular Florida. Rivers and streams flow outward in all directions; the center of the potentiometric high

of the Floridan Aquifer is located a few miles east of Polk City in the Green Swamp. Thus, water naturally

flows outward in all directions from Polk County into surrounding areas. Where the water resources of

surrounding areas are based not only on rainfall, but also on the natural flow of ground water and surface

water INTO these areas, Polk County must rely on rainfall alone for replenishment of this resource.

This Section also receives lake and ground water levels from SWFWMD and SFWMD. This office

maintains lake level information on 189 lakes within Polk County, with the period of record ranging from a

few years to more than 30 years. Additionally, groundwater level information on the Floridan and Surficial

aquifer is collected from several wells around Polk County. During 2000, approximately 145 requests for

water quality, lake information, rainfall, hydrologic reports and lake reports were filled.


Figure 3Wet / Dry Atmospheric Collector

This Division also produces a Boat Access Directory, which is a compilation of maps showing locations and

conditions of public boat ramps. In 2000 a total of 45 copies of the Boat Access Directory was requestedby the public. Additionally, data such as rainfall, historical lake level, and lake and stream water quality isprovided on request to engineers and scientists from private engineering firms and government agencies.

LAKES MANAGEMENT / WATER QUALITY PROJECTS

The Board of County Commissioners entered into inter local-agreements with the Southwest Florida WaterManagement District, the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection, and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program on various water qualitymanagement projects that affects watersheds, lakes and streams. A brief description of some of the projectsfollows:

Atmospheric Deposition

In 1998, the Water Resources Section installedan atmospheric deposition wet/dry sampling

station, Figure 3, to quantify the amount ofnitrogen and phosphorus in rainfall. The stationis located at Lake Cannon in the Winter Haven

Chain of Lakes. Major funding was providedby the SWFWMD SWIM Program. PolkCounty Water Resources Laboratory conducts

the chemical analyses on a monthly basis andthe nutrient loading from rainfall is beingcalculated by staff. The first technical report

for the project should be released in thesummer of 2001.

Lake Mariana Water Quality Assessment - Cooperative Project with Charlotte Harbor National

Estuary Program (CHNEP) and the SWFWMD Peace River Basin Board

With funding from the CHNEP and the Basin Board, Polk County is assessing the nutrient inputs to Lake

Mariana from stormwater runoff, atmospheric deposition, groundwater, and human sewage resulting frommalfunctioning septic systems in the immediate area. The lake was classified as a eutrophic system by the


Figure 4Aerial of Lake Mariana

Figure 5Banana Lake System

SWFWMD and has been a concern

because it is one of the headwaters for the

C h a i n o f L a k e s w h i c h

ultimately flows through the Peace River

watershed. The study was published in

2000 with the CHNEP and is available

through the NEP and Polk County Water

Resources.

The human sewage impact study (The

Smoking Gun Model) is continuing to

calibrate the model for identifying potential

human sewage impacts. Lack of rainfall

over the past 22 months has prevented

sampling of the surficial wells used for the

study and the project is on hold until rainfall replenishes the surficial aquifer. The Smoking Gun model was

developed (King, 1999) to provide the evidence for human sewage that is contributing to the pollution of

lakes, streams, and the groundwater. The Smoking Gun uses nitrogen isotope ratios, enterococci bacteria,

and caffeine testing to identify “human” pollutant sources. The Florida Department of Environmental

Protection is partially funding this effort by conducting the initial caffeine analyses of the surficial waters. A

preliminary technical report was completed by Water Resources the summer of 2000. Additional updates

will be made as the information becomes available.

Banana Lake Post Dredging Evaluation

Project

Banana Lake experienced poor water quality and

loss of the habitat for many years due to

stormwater runoff and the direct discharge of

wastewater from a City of Lakeland Wastewater

Treatment Plant (WWTP). The WWTP

discontinued discharging in 1986, but water quality

remained a problem. Additionally, the ecosystem

has been so altered by the nutrient


Figure 6Lakes Manager identifying algae

Figure 7Jan Phyl Stormwater Pond

loadings from the sediments and runoff that the lake

has had a major shift in the biota. Green algae andCyanobacteria have developed into year-aroundblooms which has negatively impacted the aquatic

macrophytes, and the fishery. The accumulatedsediments from the discharges were suspected to bea major source of the internal pollution. In 1990-91,

the lake was dredged to remove the sludge from thebottom of the lake. In late 1999, Polk County

Natural Resources began a one year study todetermine if the water quality had improved sincethe dredging. Monthly water chemistry samples

were collected and analyzed by the WaterResources Laboratory. Quarterly benthic

macroinvertebrates and phytoplankton samples were also collected and enumerated for species diversity

calculations. The SWFWMD SWIM Program provided the funding to have the organisms identified andspecies diversity calculated. The post dredging water quality draft report was completed and is presentlybeing edited. The final report will be published by Polk County Water Resources in the summer of 2001.

Jan Phyl Stormwater Retrofit Project

Stormwater samples where collected fromJanuary 1, 1999 through September 25,

2000 to determine the treatmentefficiencies of the Jan Phyl retrofit ponds.The stormwater is treated from the

Jan Phyl subdivision prior to discharging toLake Howard in the Winter Haven Chain

of Lakes. Preliminary results for pollutantremoval are: total suspended solids 82%,organic nitrogen 61%, inorganic nitrogen

91% and total phosphorus 78%. Atechnical report will be produced in 2001.


Figure 8Northern Section of Lake Hancock

Alafia River Process Water Spill

On December 7, 1997, approximately 53 million gallons of low pH process water from Mulberry Phosphate

Inc. entered the Alafia River at Skinned Sampling Creek in Mulberry. During the next several days the spill

traveled down the North Prong to Tampa Bay. Approximately 377 acres of marsh habitat were damaged

and more than 55,000 kilograms of fish were killed from the river during the days after the spill. Polk County,

along with four other government agencies are acting as the Trustees, directing the Alafia spill assessment

and restoration plan. Presently, this process is continuing and could take several years to complete. The Alafia

should be a much improved riverine system when restoration is complete. Restoration proposals have been

drawn up for the damages assessment to the river and negotiations have continued throughout 2000.

Lake Hancock / Upper Peace River Enhancement Project

Lake Hancock is part of the watershed which constitutes the headwaters of the Peace River. The Peace

River is clearly a regional system of statewide importance. Beneficial uses include wildlife habitat, drainage,

natural resource recreation, and potable water supply. Impacts from the discharge of poor water quality from

Lake Hancock have been observed as far south as the Peace River / Manasota Water Supply Authority

Potable Water Facility, just north of

Charlotte Harbor. The Peace River

flows through Polk, Hardee, Desoto,

and Charlotte Counties and

discharges to the Gulf of Mexico at

Charlotte Harbor. Charlotte Harbor

and the entire Peace River

watershed, including Lake Hancock,

are a federally designated National

Estuary. Improvement of Lake

Hancock’s water quality is an

objective of the Charlotte Harbor

National Estuary Program (NEP) and

is included in their Comprehensive

Conservation and Management

Plan.


A grant was awarded to Polk County by the Governor’s Water Advisory Panel in March of 2000 in the

amount of $750,000 to initiate the restoration effort. Five goals were established for this project which include:

T Improve the quality of the water discharged from Lake Hancock by reducing Total Maximum Daily

Loads (TMDL’S).

T Preserve and, where feasible, enhance the natural greenway/ wildlife corridor (Peace River/ Green

Swamp) through Polk County.

T Maintain the exceptional wildlife values on Lake Hancock.

T Enhance the diversity of the fishery.

T Provide habitat compatible public access for nature-based recreational activities and commercial

fishing.

Implementation of the project involves a four-phased approach which addresses Land Acquisition, Wetland

Restoration and Monitoring, In-Lake Restoration, and Management.

Garden Grove Pines Stormwater Retrofit Project

This project will improve the quality of water discharged to the Peace River providing a positive impact to

the Charlotte Harbor watershed. It involves retrofitting an existing drainage system within the Garden Grove

Pines Subdivision which drains to the Peace Creek Canal. Approximately 4 ½ acres of an abandoned 10 ten

acre wastewater treatment plant site will be utilized for construction of a wet detention pond system to treat

stormwater runoff. Total cost of the project is projected at $420,000 with $202,500 being funded through an

EPA Section 319 grant which is administered through the FDEP. The remaining costs are funded

cooperatively between the SWFWMD, Peace River Basin Board, and Polk County. Construction is

anticipated to occur by the end of 2001.

Stephenson Avenue Stormwater Retrofit Project

Crooked Lake is a designated Outstanding Florida Waterbody located in the Lake Wales Ridge area of the

County. This project will help to maintain water quality standards through construction of two retention ponds

to treat stormwater runoff from U.S. Alternate 27 along Stephenson Ave. in Babson Park. Construction is

expected to begin mid-year in 2001 with total project cost estimated at $300,000. Funding is being provided

cooperatively between the SWFWMD Peace River Basin Board and Polk County.


Figure 9Kiosk at Banana Lake Park

EDUCATION PROJECTS

Public Education Presentations

The Natural Resources Division participates in

many environmental education events as part of

the County’s stormwater program for the NPDES

permit. The goals of the public education efforts

are to provide Polk County citizens with

information concerning the environmentally-related

services provided by the Division and to raise

environmental awareness (Figure 9). Water

Resources staff travel to many Polk County

schools for presentations on environmental and

water related issues. These programs reach

hundreds of Polk County students from

kindergarten through high school.

Events in which the Division participated in 2000

included Lakes Education/Action Drive (LE/AD) Annual Conference, Polk County Schools Alpha Program,

the Regional Envirothon, the County Extension Services Water School, and the Haines City Heritage Days.

Several technical papers were presented at statewide conferences including the Florida Academy of

Sciences, and the FDEP Ambient Monitoring Conferences.

Polk County Lakes Atlas

In 2000, the County contracted with the University of South Florida (USF) to develop a Web based atlas of

Polk County lakes to provide the public with information via the Internet. USF has produced a prototype

which can be viewed at www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu and will be completed by the end of 2001. The Atlas

is a tool to provide water quality data for each of the public access lakes monitored within Polk County and

as a resource for lakes related publications. Information on public recreational opportunities will be added in

2001 under Phase II of the project. The design and implementation of the Atlas was funded cooperatively

between the SWFWMD, Peace River Basin Board, the City of Lakeland, the City of Winter Haven, and Polk

County.


SECTION II

LAKE

&

STREAM

WATER QUALITY


Figure 10Heavy Metals analysis being performed on Atomic Absorption

Spectrophotometer

LAKE MONITORING

In an effort to consistently provide quality data, all laboratory data are subjected to quality

assurance/quality control (QA/QC) in accordance with our NELAC Quality System

Manual. Water quality results are incorporated into the Division’s computer database.

All surface water data will be loaded into the USEPA’s new STORET data repository

as soon as the system is fully functional. County staff is being trained on new

STORET system.

Approximately 120 lakes were sampled in 2000. Public access lakes included in the routine lake sampling

program are usually sampled at mid-depth twice a year at the middle of the lake. Starting in July 2000, the

Environmental Technicians collected samples at both mid-depth and 0.5 meters below the surface. This

project will continue for one year, after

which statistical analyses will be

performed on water quality data to

determine if sampling depth affects

results.

Water quality parameters tested include

field measurements and laboratory

analyses, see Table 3. Table 3 also

provides the mean value and their

ranges for each parameter routinely

tested. The 1999 values are included

for comparison purposes. Table 4 lists

each lake tested in 2000 with the

averaged water quality results of each

parameter. Appendix A has general

information, levels, historical water

quality data and charts for each lake

monitored in 2000.


Table 3

2000 Mean Chemical Lake Parameters

Parameter 2000 Mean Value*

2000 Range 1999 Mean Value*

Unit

Temperature 23.8 16.1-31.6 24.1 Deg C

Secchi Disk 1.1 0.2-3.7 1.2 m

pH 7.79 5.68-9.62 7.78 SU

Specific Conductivity 231 84-442 201 umhos/cm

Dissolved Oxygen 7.82 1.91-13.90 7.45 mg/l

Color 32 7-300 29 CPU

Turbidity 8.76 0.56-52.0 7.1 NTU

TOC 10.801 3.840-32.730 9.618 mg/l

Ammonia 0.033 ND-1.052 0.017 mg/l

Kjeldahl Nitrogen 1.446 0.279-5.920 1.157 mg/l

NO2 + NO3 0.067 ND-5.154 0.043 mg/l

Total Nitrogen 1.51 0.51-5.92 1.20 mg/l

Total Phosphorus 0.128 0.002-3.734 0.070 mg/l

Chlorophyll a 27.50 0.90-177.60 23.91 mg/m3

TSI 59 12-99 56 TSI

WQI 6.89 1.48-80.71 5.13 WQI

* Actual values below the laboratory detection limits were extrapolated to one-half the method

detection level.

ND - Not DetectedMean value is arithmetic

LAKE NAME

POLK COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION LABORATORY

2000 LAKE WATER QUALITY RESULTS

Chlor aTPTNNO2+NO3TKNNH3TURBTOCCOLORSECCHICONDpHDOTEMP

mg/m3mg/lmg/lmg/lmg/lmg/lNTUmg/lCPUMumhos/cmSUmg/lDeg C

AGNES

ALFRED

ANNIE

ARBUCKLE

ARIANA

BANANA

BANANA (N PIT)

BANANA (S PIT)

BESS

BLUE (WH)

BONNY

BUCKEYE

BUFFUM

CANNON

CLINCH

CONFUSION

CONINE

CROOKED

CRYSTAL (LKLD)

DAISY

DEER

DEESON

DEXTER

EAGLE

EAST PIT

ECHO

ELBERT

ELOISE

ENGLE

EVA N

EVA S

FANNIE

FLORENCE

GARFIELD

GEM (WH)

17.500.0540.690.0060.6840.0033.604.144161.71436.737.8223.6

15.350.0281.900.0061.8910.0087.0515.327241.03177.628.6622.6

1.730.0120.930.0130.9150.0061.6012.177162.32367.328.6524.9

17.040.0661.360.0781.2810.0177.5516.0601250.61587.337.7923.7

12.820.0270.860.0050.8550.0034.075.549111.22417.218.0423.3

167.491.0514.330.0084.3250.01942.2018.902450.22319.6210.8425.9

24.030.4701.370.0071.3610.0135.20350.82177.425.0930.0

15.220.1131.530.0071.5220.0205.60200.82069.378.5631.6

1.600.0090.690.0030.6830.0061.247.098122.13867.818.9825.2

71.370.0972.850.0022.8440.01021.9017.920310.31878.817.4822.7

125.820.3114.990.0054.9870.00834.0018.945340.21537.565.4323.1

12.260.0230.890.0040.8890.0054.587.690141.13348.037.7923.4

15.890.0460.750.0010.7460.0046.808.257270.71526.688.1424.6

27.350.1501.380.0041.3730.0086.109.046140.62407.897.8925.0

7.740.0090.720.0290.6890.0102.176.550131.91497.697.3426.1

2.670.0120.780.0140.7650.0401.299.912132.12547.357.5423.9

24.070.0421.110.0031.1040.0105.509.558250.92278.018.8022.3

0.900.0020.560.0070.5540.0030.937.215163.0847.728.0525.9

68.480.1142.100.0042.0910.00617.5011.470230.41877.985.9422.1

6.090.0200.510.0110.4980.0082.214.433141.82126.247.3923.5

17.020.0401.760.0031.7550.0047.6515.413240.72147.467.8424.0

16.020.1002.130.0062.1240.00712.5010.640250.51618.408.6223.9

1.200.0100.520.0000.5200.0190.56152.52757.158.5518.3

10.630.0220.770.0020.7680.0033.506.060111.22947.558.3020.5

37.530.0641.670.0071.6650.02714.50201928.7911.3824.7

12.820.0190.680.0080.6760.0004.505.332101.22677.948.8116.1

5.170.0140.570.0040.5690.0071.835.26792.71807.678.1523.6

28.620.0371.470.0021.4690.0027.7310.268140.63078.669.1021.6

108.180.2292.640.0032.6400.00916.5010.210300.32678.487.9321.9

22.940.0321.100.0111.0880.0734.238.716301.61567.395.3524.7

8.540.0240.990.0130.9720.0882.388.666232.01437.306.3224.8

10.500.0481.030.0161.0120.0185.8610.240340.82987.988.8221.3

13.620.0710.650.0000.6520.0004.00201.32807.026.2029.5

33.440.1741.830.0001.8250.01043.3518.2201750.31906.997.8623.9

5.610.0280.590.0100.5840.0151.17202.9876.901.9127.9

LAKE NAME





GIBSON

GROSS (GRASSY)

HAINES

HAMILTON

HANCOCK

HARTRIDGE

HATCHINEHA

HENRY

HICKORY

HOLLINGSWORTH

HORSESHOE

HOWARD

HUNTER

IDA (WH)

IDYL (WH)

IDYLWILD

INA (WH)

JESSIE

JOHN

JULIANA

KEN

LENA

LEONORE

LINK

LIVINGSTON

LONG

LOWERY

LTL CROOKED

LTL EAGLE

LTL ELBERT

LTL HAMILTON

LULU

MARIAM

MARIANA

MARIE N

3.910.1620.600.0050.5910.0043.606.417231.51686.757.7123.6

11.220.0710.970.0020.9680.0002.40451.91886.154.4629.0

30.360.0561.440.0011.4440.0037.5012.750300.72268.428.8023.6

2.400.1271.000.0820.9180.0118.3011.265580.92167.378.2822.5

130.170.2974.840.0044.8390.02144.0032.730480.33508.165.4620.5

10.210.0260.690.0030.6860.0073.985.701131.12358.008.6220.3

2.400.0181.240.0001.2440.0150.6922.8951101.31708.597.3222.0

2.800.1641.550.2391.3090.02631.4017.7952100.31787.407.9025.0

58.210.0172.460.1592.3010.01219.5312.530130.44118.206.7125.7

149.200.5874.600.0044.5940.01652.0014.410290.21629.429.9523.5

29.000.2182.470.0582.4110.2599.10252188.7412.0023.7

37.600.0372.030.0022.0280.0029.8012.640150.42588.398.4719.9

146.180.2674.110.0104.0960.01032.5011.060200.22397.946.4022.4

11.210.0291.140.0051.1380.0002.90201.52617.707.7527.7

19.220.0411.150.0071.1420.0035.30250.82467.787.8927.4

20.820.0421.010.0021.0130.0265.687.167150.82357.948.0923.3

8.810.0381.000.0700.9280.0674.00200.91706.304.8229.6

24.030.0490.960.0020.9590.0036.287.138210.82118.188.6719.9

32.440.2961.410.0001.4040.0027.307.915240.61787.639.2019.8

24.830.0161.090.0061.0810.0055.877.902180.72458.909.3823.7

93.450.6603.550.0333.5171.05218.00271498.9013.9024.5

66.860.0602.840.0042.8370.00417.7014.327150.32317.989.3123.2

1.600.0255.435.1540.2790.0050.693.840152.73427.719.5219.3

15.220.0341.250.0001.2500.0005.00200.92587.427.4329.4

8.300.3211.800.0041.7980.02612.4529.5153000.31516.957.2926.0

45.453.7342.210.0122.2000.01111.4012.470263838.135.7122.9

4.010.0201.260.0211.2400.0522.7615.397271.31657.328.3023.9

6.410.0351.220.0681.1530.0119.7317.1201330.61116.837.0525.7

10.950.0240.800.0030.7980.0033.475.768131.22947.737.9020.4

7.740.0250.670.0030.6650.0072.045.613132.61677.386.9023.4

13.380.0341.000.0050.9970.0043.9010.180231.02267.398.0224.8

28.420.0651.580.0021.5760.0039.289.890190.53067.618.5319.9

6.680.0471.090.0461.0390.02115.1313.7301080.42437.097.6823.7

16.820.0321.130.0021.1280.0047.907.466140.82227.217.2021.8

16.290.0190.860.0540.8070.0014.206.489181.11568.288.3424.4

LAKE NAME





MARIE S

MARION

MARTHA

MATTIE

MAUDE

MAY

MC LEOD

MDL HAMILTON

MENZIE

MIRROR

MOODY

MUD

NED

OTIS

PANSY

PARKER (LKLD)

PIERCE

REEDY

RING

ROCHELLE

ROSALIE

ROUND

ROY

RUBY

SEARS

SHIPP

SILVER

SMART

SOMERSET

SPRING

STAR

SUMMIT

SURVEYORS

SWOOPE N

SWOOPE S

12.550.0281.260.0251.2370.0693.978.631181.21557.837.6324.3

17.890.0441.250.0031.2430.0017.0310.375220.82308.358.8625.4

5.050.0270.660.0100.6530.0072.098.789122.32748.029.4819.0

29.240.0811.510.0121.5030.02211.8315.1501080.52297.398.1123.5

15.220.0341.020.0021.0190.0024.658.425130.92618.388.5924.0

40.550.0712.040.0102.0250.06113.1712.325180.52858.068.8822.1

10.680.0160.550.0020.5490.0023.504.439131.42748.048.2920.2

19.490.0781.450.0101.4410.0055.3315.593870.81876.876.9425.2

15.750.0361.110.0231.0890.0132.839.454201.12087.826.1224.5

27.840.0351.600.0031.5970.0127.3010.625150.62388.018.3420.5

26.430.0412.580.3392.1790.00513.5010.74070.44028.269.7419.5

35.640.0751.980.0061.9690.00610.8012.463400.41368.209.0723.5

14.410.0211.100.0381.0600.0165.038.773201.82887.427.3923.5

8.010.0260.860.0000.8590.0003.70181.42397.627.4429.3

4.410.0210.690.0080.6830.0032.787.659311.31496.967.8624.3

177.550.2745.920.0045.9200.00934.0025.337300.22238.957.1723.1

8.140.0280.960.0010.9610.0052.329.119181.51908.398.5825.7

9.610.0161.050.0740.9790.0133.408.161101.32718.168.1925.9

11.210.0471.360.1171.2450.10310.40250.72818.945.7829.1

21.470.0491.170.0021.1640.0076.0010.430240.92017.917.9222.7

13.070.0220.790.0430.7480.0134.7010.730521.11317.858.2926.0

17.620.0261.620.0001.6150.0014.90170.94307.792.3828.8

17.590.0351.100.0031.0990.0033.758.847130.92738.288.3221.8

40.050.0252.220.0362.1850.01920.3012.433150.43928.227.8924.9

10.000.0300.660.0030.6600.0071.596.832231.61685.686.3621.1

48.200.0562.440.0022.4400.00513.6013.260200.32948.559.0419.7

8.070.0130.730.0070.7200.0001.80203.21717.965.6327.7

23.180.0351.430.0041.4900.0046.6411.512200.62508.088.3222.1

55.670.3881.910.0111.8910.0187.108.585230.62337.898.7120.6

16.620.0311.030.0400.9890.0204.658.153151.22247.767.9821.2

41.250.0501.200.0001.1950.0006.207.808170.71838.188.0728.1

11.760.0351.020.0011.0230.0022.859.153141.22857.977.9922.0

6.670.0761.250.3270.9250.0174.4711.1401050.81656.657.0625.2

2.930.0110.840.0080.8290.0041.1211.270172.43028.207.8025.5

5.340.0180.940.0060.9370.0091.5211.247182.42998.287.5625.9

LAKE NAME





TENNESSEE

THOMAS (WH)

TIGER

TRACY

WAILES

WEOHYAKAPKA

WINTERSET

X PIT

Y PIT

AVERAGE

MINIMUM

MAXIMUM

TOTAL NUMBER

OF LAKES

117

9.610.0110.740.0090.7270.0213.824.93771.12647.267.9023.5

4.810.0140.810.0180.7940.0111.439.694192.22068.057.7322.0

4.810.0541.200.1001.1000.1796.4010.900650.81337.226.0126.0

9.340.0210.910.0100.9030.0052.928.576261.31517.397.0324.6

2.000.0100.630.0010.6290.0040.646.363143.71448.007.1726.3

5.340.0100.610.0030.6060.0072.299.091311.61468.228.2625.8

18.510.0271.070.0021.0720.0013.939.257110.93048.538.6221.6

22.030.4090.790.0070.7780.0182.358.255331.04427.015.9120.1

159.200.6854.750.0264.7200.83534.0014.170200.22547.015.4019.9

27.440.1261.510.0681.4400.0338.7210.826331.12297.787.7923.80.900.0020.510.0000.2790.0000.563.84070.2845.681.9116.1

177.553.7345.925.1545.9201.05252.0032.7303003.74429.6213.9031.6

LAKE NAME



WQITSITSITSITSITSITSILimitingNP

2000AVGNUT.TPTNSDChlor aNutrientRatio

2000

AGNES

ALFRED

ANNIE

ARBUCKLE

ARIANA

BANANA

BANANA (N PIT)

BANANA (S PIT)

BESS

BLUE (WH)

BONNY

BUCKEYE

BUFFUM

CANNON

CLINCH

CONFUSION

CONINE

CROOKED

CRYSTAL (LKLD)

DAISY

DEER

DEESON

DEXTER

EAGLE

EAST PIT

ECHO

ELBERT

ELOISE

ENGLE

EVA N

EVA S

FANNIE

FLORENCE

GARFIELD

GEM (WH)

3.5851.4452.2255.8048.6544.0858.02NBL12.784.4256.9954.8460.0056.13PLL67.862.3431.3834.8434.5924.72PLL77.335.1164.5960.8159.5362.0975.3257.63NBL20.612.9954.2953.9855.3753.53PLL31.85

35.9796.6491.11108.2890.54NLL4.1213.0565.2066.3466.6962.58NLL2.915.1763.2266.9769.5364.4166.6956.01NBL13.531.8329.9528.0538.2223.57PLL76.22

10.2282.0371.7066.6976.7296.1278.26NBL29.3519.5994.2788.0988.3687.83108.2886.42NBL16.053.0753.6450.2057.8352.89PLL38.833.7159.1551.5252.8150.2269.3256.63NBL16.246.8468.7766.5275.3264.45NLL9.202.3638.5328.0541.2746.27PLL79.892.5234.6634.8438.2230.93PLL64.924.2660.1254.5951.1258.0763.1662.61NBL26.431.6111.63-7.4427.0415.28PLL281.509.5778.4470.1869.6970.6687.4977.66NBL18.392.2441.5839.9737.3242.6341.9542.82NBL25.454.7364.2263.2671.7957.62PLL44.006.0968.8869.1167.2670.9780.7956.74NBL21.301.4827.4730.5432.5119.37PLL52.202.6951.5149.1554.5350.84PLL35.005.7365.7862.5558.9666.1569.00NBL26.092.6351.2545.6954.5353.53PLL36.002.0536.3838.4830.2040.46PLL40.794.7067.7161.4276.6065.10PLL39.76

13.8886.4478.9482.6775.2296.1284.25NBL11.534.8155.0657.9945.2961.91PLL34.343.7046.0351.2039.2147.69PLL41.043.7657.9955.0753.6056.5368.2350.66NBL21.403.7052.2950.3452.1354.41NLL9.15

10.2380.5572.7377.5667.91101.5967.34NBL10.494.5538.0944.5743.5845.5528.0641.63NBL21.07

LAKE NAME





2000

GIBSON

GROSS (GRASSY)

HAINES

HAMILTON

HANCOCK

HARTRIDGE

HATCHINEHA

HENRY

HICKORY

HOLLINGSWORTH

HORSESHOE

HOWARD

HUNTER

IDA (WH)

IDYL (WH)

IDYLWILD

INA (WH)

JESSIE

JOHN

JULIANA

KEN

LENA

LEONORE

LINK

LIVINGSTON

LONG

LOWERY

LTL CROOKED

LTL EAGLE

LTL ELBERT

LTL HAMILTON

LULU

MARIAM

MARIANA

MARIE N

5.1244.4848.5148.5036.43NLL3.694.0950.1758.1460.8955.4040.7451.61NBL13.665.2866.2359.8356.4763.1972.9265.95NBL25.685.0850.7259.6063.1629.41NLL7.87

20.6791.9587.3687.5087.22101.5986.91NBL16.302.7151.4045.4042.2048.6058.5450.26NBL26.463.3542.3844.4153.3129.41PLL69.117.8164.7768.9593.7231.64NLL9.427.4469.4943.0690.0775.32PLL144.76

26.2799.4092.41116.9188.88NLL7.8410.3671.5677.8381.7573.9065.29NBL11.335.7872.6561.4287.4969.03PLL54.86

18.5593.8784.7585.5283.99108.2888.58NBL15.392.8251.7055.6747.8451.60PLL39.313.6060.2654.7250.6758.7766.6959.37NBL28.054.1260.4853.7051.1256.2867.2260.52NBL24.143.8254.6452.6349.2656.0063.1648.13NBL26.324.1961.6154.6153.9955.2367.6562.58NBL19.639.8870.5866.9177.9466.90NLL4.753.6358.9541.6372.1563.05PLL67.94

29.4684.4986.8482.14NLL5.388.6781.0472.8392.9977.32PLL47.335.0935.5052.1730.7623.57PLL217.323.3359.5359.4263.1656.01PLL36.76

11.0671.8872.2496.1247.27NLL5.6180.7174.1876.6071.76NLL0.593.4245.0246.9051.3836.79PLL63.054.0659.6660.1175.3243.55PLL34.942.7952.0651.2053.7251.26PLL33.462.6240.7844.7341.4747.9831.3346.27NBL26.683.4754.9351.6147.1956.0259.0354.15NBL29.445.4368.8262.1459.2465.0479.3365.00NBL24.294.3463.2255.4253.2157.6390.0744.15NBL23.113.8460.7157.9966.6957.44PLL35.313.0153.2745.6957.1456.98PLL45.32

LAKE NAME





2000

MARIE S

MARION

MARTHA

MATTIE

MAUDE

MAY

MC LEOD

MDL HAMILTON

MENZIE

MIRROR

MOODY

MUD

NED

OTIS

PANSY

PARKER (LKLD)

PIERCE

REEDY

RING

ROCHELLE

ROSALIE

ROUND

ROY

RUBY

SEARS

SHIPP

SILVER

SMART

SOMERSET

SPRING

STAR

SUMMIT

SURVEYORS

SWOOPE N

SWOOPE S

3.9454.4854.8455.3753.23PLL45.114.1360.8256.1751.9960.3567.9658.33NBL28.322.4440.3145.3742.9047.8335.4540.10NBL24.526.3070.6763.7763.3464.2082.8465.41NBL18.683.4660.1059.4264.8856.01PLL30.007.1873.1865.4860.8970.0783.9670.12NBL28.662.3447.2541.6349.2150.90PLL34.445.4063.5163.0062.6363.3767.9659.57NBL18.603.9158.1460.7757.1456.50PLL30.894.8367.1460.1176.6064.70PLL45.775.6971.7663.8487.4963.95PLL62.886.4373.8265.7061.9169.5087.4968.26NBL26.363.4748.5548.0542.3755.22PLL52.292.4949.9253.0949.9146.76PLL33.082.3945.9248.0551.5638.16PLL32.86

22.1097.9088.6186.0091.22113.6991.38NBL21.622.8950.1154.8448.5047.00PLL34.362.8947.4641.6351.3849.38PLL65.814.7459.9857.6553.2162.0970.7051.60NBL28.944.4360.4456.5153.9959.0463.8460.96NBL23.803.1853.0749.1556.2553.81PLL36.005.2658.1253.0963.1658.11PLL62.313.6660.4560.1163.1658.09PLL31.436.4969.8652.1787.4969.94PLL88.842.9447.1946.3344.8647.8045.2949.96NBL22.037.1679.1771.2093.7272.61PLL43.592.3136.2436.7325.1146.87PLL56.154.4466.1760.1176.3462.06PLL40.97

13.4075.3673.4677.9474.68NLL4.913.6556.1457.2453.9157.27PLL33.195.2866.0056.9554.3659.5370.7070.36NBL23.903.3153.4052.0947.7356.4555.8152.29NBL29.234.4157.3861.3062.1560.4566.6944.13NBL16.472.3132.9432.7933.7432.29PLL76.092.7239.8344.4134.1540.92PLL52.33

LAKE NAME





2000

TENNESSEE

THOMAS (WH)

TIGER

TRACY

WAILES

WEOHYAKAPKA

WINTERSET

X PIT

Y PIT

AVERAGE

MINIMUM

MAXIMUM

TOTAL NUMBER

OF LAKES

117

2.5346.1432.7956.2549.39PLL67.002.4538.2338.4836.8039.41PLL58.075.2955.0357.7255.8059.6467.9639.41NBL22.262.9449.4748.0551.3848.98PLL43.431.9226.1130.5421.0226.78PLL63.202.2038.9230.5445.2940.93PLL61.003.5259.2353.9864.8858.82PLL39.78

11.4658.5854.4060.0061.33NLL1.9234.5697.0693.08108.2889.81NLL6.93

6.8458.7760.9053.1564.6264.1455.7737.461.4811.6339.97-7.4442.6321.0215.280.59

80.7199.4088.6188.3693.08116.9191.38281.50


Figure 11Algae Bloom

Figure 12Collection of Algae

The Natural Resources Division utilizes

the Florida Trophic State Index (TSI)

and the Water Quality Index (WQI) as

assessment tools. The TSI is used by

lake managers to describe one aspect of

water quality, the relative eutrophication

(aging) of the lake. The TSI is a relative

m e a s u r e m e n t a n d i n d i c a t e s

eutrophication based on measurements

of chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus, and

light penetration. The WQI is an index

used to indicate how well a waterbody

satisfies Florida Class III Surface

Water’s classification. All the lakes in

Polk County are Class III. Like all

indices, the TSI and WQI are methods of summarizing a

complex system, and can be misleading. But used

together they can help to identify water quality problems

and evaluate management projects.

Lakes can be classified or described according to their

evolution or aging. The three major categories or stages

are: Oligotrophic, Mesotrophic, and Eutrophic. This

process of aging is called eutrophication. An Oligotrophic

lake is typically a young lake with few dissolved nutrients,

little or no organic sediment, and the lack of littoral

vegetation. The water clarity is high and there are no

suspended solids or algal blooms. Biological productivity

is low, therefore, few fish and other aquatic organisms

are present. Typically, this is the type of lake people like

to have for swimming and waterskiing. A Eutrophic lake

is an older, much more biologically productive waterbody.

Eutrophic lakes in their final stage will eventually convert

to a swamp, wetland, or bog if natural conditions persist.


Eutrophic lakes have a high nutrient concentration, a thick layer of organic sediments and poor light

penetration. The littoral zone is heavily covered with vegetation and there may be frequent algal blooms. Fish

and other aquatic life may be in abundance, at least until the final stages of eutrophication. Recreation,

because of aesthetic reasons, may be limited to fishing and hunting. A Mesotrophic lake is the relative middle

stage between the Oligotrophic and Eutrophic. This life cycle of lakes is a natural one. Human activities may

speed the process up and management activities may slow down the progression to the final stages of

eutrophication, in some instances. Lakes that did not have two or more critical water quality analytes

reported were not characterized and the water quality boxes were labeled, insufficient data .

Federal Clean Water Act (CWA)

In 1972, the CWA was passed and addressed both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and water quality

in the United States. Section 303(d) of the CWA requires that states report streams and waterbodies that do

not meet ambient water quality standards and will require a calculation(s) of the “Total Daily Maximum

Loads” or TMDLs. The TMDL’s will be the concentrations or sum of waste load allocations (point sources),

load allocations (nonpoint sources), background loads, and a margin of safety factors. The TMDL’s will then

be based on the natural assimilation of all the loadings in that waterbody. Waterbodies will not be allowed

to exceed the TMDL and may in some cases be required to reduce loadings to a lower assimilation rate to

improve water quality.

The 303(d) list, commonly referred to as the Impaired Waters List, is prepared by the FDEP and forwarded

to the USEPA roughly every two years. The FDEP Rule for identifying impaired waters is in development

at this time. Polk County has several waterbodies on the original 303(d) list and those are identified on the

individual data sheet for each waterbody in Appendix A.

Water Resources’ staff also calculates the nutrient ratios which can be helpful in identifying the nutrient input

that is contributing to the eutrophication of the lake or stream. The ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus can be

calculated, and using the appropriate formula, the nutrient balance can be determined, see Tables 3 and 4.

In 2000, 43 lakes proved to be nutrient balanced lakes, 15 were nitrogen limited, and 56 were phosphorus

limited. Figure 13 graphically displays each lake tested and is color coded based upon the TSI value. Figure

14 shows the WQI for each lake tested in 2000.


Figure 15Peace River in Bartow

Figure 16Peace River in Bartow

STREAM MONITORING

There are six major rivers which influence Polk

County’s watersheds: the Alafia, Hillsborough,

Kissimmee, Palatlakaha, Peace, and Withlacoochee.

Additionally, there are approximately 30 streams,

commonly referred to as creeks, that flow through

Polk County. These streams collect and transport

water for the rivers and some lakes and act as

natural drainage conveyances. Streams provide a

link between wildlife habitats. Some streams also

provide recreation, such as canoeing and fishing.

A total of 19 stream segments were sampled on the

following 12 streams and rivers in Polk County in

2000: Gator, Horseshoe, Itchepackesassa, Lena

Run, Marion, Peace, Reedy, Saddle, and Tiger Creeks,

Alafia River - North and South Prongs, and the

Withlachoochee Rivers. Due to the drought, there

were several stream portions that were not tested

because of no flow, see Figures 15 through 19. Routine

analyses of these streams include field measurements

of temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen,

and pH in situ. Color, turbidity, chlorophyll a, ammonia,


Figure 19Saddle Creek at Hwy 540 at Lake Hancock Outfall

Figure 17Peace River in Homeland

Figure 18Withlachoochee River

kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate/nitrite

nitrogen, total nitrogen, and total coliform are

analyzed in the laboratory.

Table 5 provides the mean value and range for

each water quality parameter routinely tested and

the WQI range for streams in 2000 and 1999. The

TSI cannot be calculated for streams. Table 6

provides the mean water quality results for each

stream/creek that was tested in 2000. Appendix B

has some historical water quality values as well as the

WQI charts for each sampling station. The photos in

Figures 15 through 19 were taken in May and June

2000.


Table 5

2000 Mean Chemical

Stream Parameters

Parameter 2000 Mean

Value *

2000Range 1999 Mean

Value *

Unit

Temperature 21.7 18.2-23.9 23.1 Deg C

pH 7.08 6.17-7.94 7.02 SU

Specific Conductivity 361 124-793 316 umhos/cm

Dissolved Oxygen 5.23 0.88-10.70 4.49 mg/l

Color 125 35-425 147 CPU

Turbidity 6.6 0.8-39.5 8.1 NTU

TOC 18.327 7.236-37.680 23.011 mg/l

Ammonia 0.309 ND-3.631 0.239 mg/l

Kjeldahl Nitrogen 1.758 0.598-6.118 1.607 mg/l

NO2 + NO3 0.382 0.005-1.403 0.253 mg/l

Total Nitrogen 2.14 0.76-6.20 1.84 mg/l

Total Phosphorus 0.537 0.022-2.937 0.755 mg/l

Chlorophyll a 9.18 ND-94.12 9.57 mg/m3

WQI 16.85 2.72-60.99 20.98 WQI

* Actual values below the laboratory detection limits were extrapolated.ND - Not DetectedMean value is arithmetic

POLK COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION LABORATORY2000 STREAM WATER QUALITY RESULTS

WQILimitingNPChlor aTPTNNOxTKNNH3TURBTOCCOLORCONDpHDOTEMPLOCATIONSITE

2000NutrientRatiomg/m3mg/lmg/lmg/lmg/lmg/lNTUmg/lCPUumhos/cmSUmg/lDeg C

60.99NLL0.500.802.9371.460.8380.6250.0161.511.000357937.025.7920.5ALAFIA N

4.23PLL31.501.420.0461.450.5010.9480.0421.814.6901151516.713.2121.9HWY 547 N AT RR TRESTLE DAVENPORTHORSESHOE CREEK

17.40NLL2.490.800.6431.600.3221.2750.2804.512.802654416.905.4218.2BRIDGE ON WALKERD RD S OF HWY 582ITCHEPACKESASSA CREEK

13.36NBL13.5113.210.2223.000.8392.1630.6428.715.280785477.025.9623.2N SIDE OF 655 ON THE W SIDE OF FL DIST.LENA RUN CREEK

7.24NLL6.280.800.2421.520.4171.1080.0585.512.660784037.579.4321.71 MILE S OF 540 ON E SIDE OF THORNHILLLENA RUN

3.36PLL31.103.610.0491.520.3831.1390.0181.217.4751052107.576.0720.4N OF 542 - BRIDGE ON POINCIANA PKWMARION CREEK

41.70NBL17.086.210.3636.200.0856.1183.6318.128.4852006726.842.5422.2100YDS E FINE HART MART HWY 60 E N SIDEP.C. CANAL3

5.85NBL20.660.800.0901.860.0091.8490.0486.337.6804251246.172.8620.0ALTURAS RD CUTOFF +520 YDS S OF RR WP.C. CANAL4

7.61NBL11.011.200.1972.170.5781.5910.0995.325.6852004957.015.1822.7BRIDGE @HWY 60 W 2/10 MILE W OF RRP.C. CANAL5

10.81NLL4.421.340.3941.740.3901.3510.0514.810.310801886.755.5720.719TH ST W OF HWY 655 3/10 MILE DIRT RDP.C. CANAL6

4.85NBL18.051.580.0761.370.4360.9360.1296.211.533662436.535.6822.2HWY 655 N + 100 YDS N OF 12TH ST EP.C. CANAL7

13.99NLL2.961.230.5221.550.1631.3820.0373.223.7382403677.272.9623.6P.C. BRIDGE ON 91 MINE RD N OF HWY 60P.C. CANAL8

24.57NLL3.1841.160.9012.860.0052.8570.02417.622.5231313687.603.9423.81 MILE W OLD BARTOW/EAGLE LK CUTOFF RDP.C. CANAL9

21.41NLL1.801.800.8791.590.1571.4390.0543.422.3481604067.222.8523.7BRIDGE ON HWY 60 W OF KINCADE MARINEP.C. CANAL10

31.31NLL0.961.201.4461.390.2071.1850.0442.119.2571005207.436.2023.9BRIDGE ON HWY 640 E OF SR 17 HOMELANDPEACE RIVER

3.22PLL30.782.400.0451.390.4610.9260.0332.410.315752387.016.6222.4ARBUCKLE RD TO RUCKS DAIRY RD AT BRIDGEREEDY CREEK

32.80NLL9.5194.120.5485.210.0425.1670.64339.530.795633326.900.8821.3HWY 540 E (WINTER LAKE RD) ON N SIDESADDLE CREEK

12.68NLL1.320.820.5740.760.0250.7390.0001.914.4101001827.9410.7019.1TENOROC OUTFALL

2.72PLL90.910.000.0222.001.4030.5980.0140.87.236601847.147.4921.7ON WALK IN WATER RD CALL 813-678-1551TIGER CREEK 3

16.859.180.5372.140.3821.7580.3096.618.3271253617.085.2321.7AVERAGE

60.9994.122.9376.201.4036.1183.63139.537.6804257937.9410.7023.9MAXIMUM

2.720.000.0220.760.0050.5980.0000.87.236351246.170.8818.2MINIMUM


SECTION III

POLK COUNTY

LAKE LEVELS


Figure 21Lake Thomas Boat Landing

Figure 22Lake Ina’s Staff Gage

LAKE LEVELS

The Water Resources Section receives lake

levels from SWFWMD which are used to

update the Division’s databases. For

projects requiring more detailed information,

daily level readings are obtained from

SWFWMD or read directly by Division staff.

At present, this office has lake level

information on 189 lakes within the County.

The period of level data collection ranges

from a few years to more than 30 years.

The SWFWMD has automated equipment

which records water levels on some lakes.

With the current drought we are unable to

take readings on lakes with staff gages

simply because the gages are no longer

in the lake.

As the drought continues, many lakes

have reached record lows. There are

actually good points to lake levels

dropping. It is Mother Nature’s way of

drying out bottom sediments. However,

it makes it harder for the public to enjoy

the lakes for boating and fishing. Figures

19 through 23 show the drought’s effects

on several area lakes.


Figure 24Lake Starr

Figure 23Lake Wales

To maintain a healthy lake ecosystem, it is

important that lake levels fluctuate.

Therefore, it is necessary to

determine what elevation is too high or too

low and what elevations constitute a

desirable range of water fluctuation. The

SWFWMD has a Lake Level Program to

track these levels on a number of lakes in

their district. The objectives of the Lake

Level Program are:

1. Provide guidelines for

development of bordering lakes.

2. Obtain modeling data to

determine the water storage and

recharge capabilities of lakes.

3. Provide levels for operation

of lake control structures.

4. Provide information for

District water use permitting

(WUP) activities (Lake

Levels Program Annual

Report, SWFWMD).

Lake levels that are established for

each lake consists of a ten (10) year

Flood Warning, Minimum Flood,

Minimum Water Level (Low

Management), and Extremely Low

Management Levels. As of October


Figure 26Canal from Mirror to Cannon

Figure 25Lake Hollingsworth

1995, the SWFWMD has adopted

levels on 154 Polk County lakes in

their district.

Lake levels are averaged each month

and those averages are then put into a

spreadsheet, see Table 7. Although

lake levels are affected by rainfall and

drainage, the correlations may not be

direct. Many different factors can

affect the water level in a lake. In the

upper Peace River Basin of Polk

County, the changes in lake levels can

be attributed to fluctuations in water levels of the

Floridan Aquifer over the past several years. Ground

water withdrawals therefore have shown to have an

effect on lake levels.

All of the photos on pages 31 through 33 were taken in

June 2000. As the drought has continued into the

present, the conditions of these lakes and canals have

worsened. Canals are now dry, and much more

shoreline on lakes is being exposed every day, thus

making it almost impossible to use boat ramps or

landings.

Lake Levels

WaterbodyMean Max Min

S T R 10 Year Flood Level

100 Year Flood Level

Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level

Record High Record LowMax Desire. Level

2000 Levels 2000 Min / Record Low Diff.

2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

132.87 134.30 131.584 27 25 135.20 136.40 135.75 132.75 130.75 135.00 135.90 08/29/95 131.58 10/26/00 0.00-1.60Agnes

127.78 129.47 126.5530 27 26 132.30 134.20 130.75 128.25 126.25 130.25 132.76 03/26/98 122.40 05/24/77 4.15-3.29Alfred

114.90 116.22 113.2011 30 27 122.60 123.40 122.50 120.00 118.00 122.00 121.34 01/26/98 112.60 05/14/91 0.60-5.12Altamaha

112.61 114.12 111.543 29 27 122.10 124.40 119.00 116.00 114.00 118.50 117.36 03/25/98 108.36 6/1990 3.18-3.24Annie

133.87 134.98 133.003 28 25 137.10 138.30 137.00 134.50 132.50 136.75 137.90 08/28/46 131.28 05/06/76 1.72-2.92Ariana

139.66 140.80 138.5927 27 25 144.00 144.80 144.00 141.00 138.00 143.00 143.54 12/18/97 136.50 05/25/77 2.09-2.74Arietta

114.97 116.96 113.7911 30 27 123.60 120.00 117.00 115.00 119.00 118.60 03/31/98 109.62 06/02/94 4.17-1.64Belle

113.93 114.33 113.3129 28 24 119.70 115.42 09/21/98 113.00 1995 0.31-1.09Bentley

122.78 123.82 121.7418 29 27 125.50 126.20 125.25 123.00 121.00 125.00 125.62 09/22/94 121.15 05/20/90 0.59-1.80Bess

90.91 92.20 89.3026 29 28 95.10 96.00 95.00 92.00 89.00 94.50 95.54 09/30/98 87.08 06/22/91 2.22-3.34Big Gum

147.42 148.06 146.5013 28 25 149.80 150.90 149.00 146.50 144.50 148.50 149.56 07/27/95 146.50 05/31/00 0.00-1.50Blue

110.28 112.41 108.7424 30 27 118.00 125.30 117.00 114.00 112.50 116.00 114.59 10/05/98 103.38 05/22/82 5.36-2.18Blue(LW)

144.42 144.93 144.1414 28 23 146.40 147.20 145.00 145.00 142.50 147.50 146.62 11/23/88 142.10 05/30/97 2.04-1.69Bonnet (Lkld)

127.40 129.57 125.8820 28 24 130.90 132.40 130.50 128.00 126.00 130.00 132.40 01/02/98 123.12 07/10/56 2.76-2.83Bonny (Lkld)

126.72 127.84 125.5422 28 26 130.10 131.60 129.00 126.00 124.50 128.75 129.12 08/14/92 125.54 06/28/00 0.00-1.28Buckeye

129.85 131.38 128.8412 31 26 132.75 133.40 132.25 129.25 126.75 132.00 132.42 02/24/98 123.90 06/19/91 4.94-1.04Buffum

130.55 131.92 129.7420 27 26 133.40 133.90 134.50 132.00 130.00 134.00 133.38 02/18/98 129.74 6/29/00 0.00-1.46Camp

129.65 130.80 128.7219 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Cannon

140.67 142.50 139.375 27 25 146.20 148.50 143.50 141.00 139.00 143.00 146.06 08/28/94 139.35 05/22/94 0.02-3.56Clearwater




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

103.70 104.87 102.8031 31 28 108.00 110.40 106.75 104.00 102.50 106.00 110.21 10/10/48 100.10 06/19/91 2.70-5.34Clinch

126.48 127.92 125.249 28 26 129.70 130.50 128.75 126.50 124.50 128.50 129.28 02/24/98 125.24 12/22/00 0.00-1.36Conine

120.18 121.40 119.242 30 27 124.20 125.30 123.50 121.00 119.00 123.00 122.32 11/16/94 119.24 4/19/00 0.00-0.92Cooper

116.85 118.29 115.811 31 27 122.60 125.80 122.00 118.50 117.00 121.00 123.98 10/08/48 106.10 05/20/91 9.71-5.69Crooked

133.16 135.83 131.6021 28 24 140.00 140.62 09/20/96 131.25 12/22/00 0.35-4.79Crystal (Lkld)

111.29 113.12 108.942 30 27 121.40 123.00 121.25 118.00 115.00 121.00 119.86 03/25/98 108.94 5/25/00 0.00-6.74Crystal (LW)

128.01 129.56 127.0631 27 26 131.50 133.50 131.00 127.50 125.50 129.50 131.20 03/23/98 127.06 7/20/00 0.00-1.64Cummings

93.13 94.74 92.0036 29 28 100.20 101.80 98.50 95.00 93.00 98.00 98.60 03/25/98 89.52 06/25/91 2.48-3.86Cypress

127.95 128.63 127.956 29 27 130.90 131.70 130.00 127.00 126.00 129.75 129.86 10/02/90 125.75 06/20/00 2.20-1.23Daisy

138.62 138.88 138.3425 28 25 141.30 142.20 140.75 138.50 136.50 140.50 142.40 03/30/98 138.00 11/18/98 0.34-3.52Deer (WH)

121.86 124.78 119.6129 27 24 129.50 133.10 135.49 09/28/54 119.61 12/19/00 0.00-10.71Deeson

121.78 123.30 119.9228 28 27 125.70 126.00 123.75 121.50 119.50 123.50 124.30 09/21/94 119.96 6/30/00 -0.04-1.00Dell

129.42 130.26 128.062 29 26 132.20 132.70 132.00 129.00 127.50 131.50 131.38 12/19/97 128.06 06/28/00 0.00-1.12Dexter

127.12 129.00 125.981 29 25 131.00 131.90 130.75 128.50 126.50 130.50 131.50 09/23/96 118.76 05/10/76 7.22-2.50Eagle

104.55 106.34 103.2619 30 28 115.50 115.25 113.00 111.00 115.00 108.88 03/25/98 102.25 06/07/94 1.01-2.54Easy

128.00 128.88 127.085 28 26 132.30 134.00 131.00 128.00 126.00 130.50 130.65 08/14/90 127.08 04/28/00 0.00-1.77Echo

131.68 133.30 130.5622 28 26 137.50 138.60 135.50 133.00 131.50 135.00 136.36 03/26/98 128.78 06/19/89 1.78-3.06Elbert

129.65 130.80 128.723 29 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Eloise

128.06 129.71 126.7529 27 26 132.30 134.70 131.50 129.00 127.00 131.00 132.06 03/11/98 126.75 6/29/00 0.00-2.35Eva

122.50 124.06 121.4311 28 26 127.00 128.10 125.75 123.50 120.00 125.50 126.16 02/24/98 118.67 05/27/77 2.76-2.10Fannie

126.29 127.08 124.8435 28 26 128.80 129.50 128.50 127.00 125.00 128.50 128.20 09/27/94 124.84 06/28/00 0.00-1.12Florence




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

100.32 101.68 99.105 30 26 105.70 107.90 104.75 101.00 100.00 103.50 105.91 09/30/79 97.50 04/18/76 1.60-4.23Garfield

129.61 129.61 129.616 28 26 130.70 131.00 130.00 127.50 125.50 129.50 130.64 12/31/97 129.00 09/03/98 0.61-1.03George

141.72 142.39 141.2925 27 23 144.20 145.50 143.50 141.50 141.50 143.00 145.40 09/08/88 140.40 06/06/85 0.89-3.01Gibson

109.02 111.32 107.1416 28 27 121.30 119.00 116.00 114.00 118.00 116.64 03/25/98 107.14 6/30/00 0.00-5.32Gordon

127.07 128.57 126.212 29 25 134.80 136.40 129.00 126.50 125.50 128.50 136.59 09/21/60 123.10 06/06/91 3.11-8.02Grassy (EL)

129.43 130.68 128.2530 27 26 132.30 134.70 131.50 129.00 127.00 131.00 132.54 05/14/98 128.25 7/20/00 0.00-1.86Griffin

132.81 134.02 131.8414 29 26 138.50 140.00 136.00 133.50 132.00 135.75 137.40 10/12/95 131.84 06/28/00 0.00-3.38Gross

130.73 131.90 129.9617 27 26 132.60 133.00 131.00 128.50 126.00 130.50 133.22 02/18/98 127.92 06/07/79 2.04-1.32Gum

126.76 127.91 126.0033 27 26 129.70 130.60 128.75 126.50 124.50 128.50 129.32 08/25/66 125.70 12/19/00 0.30-1.41Haines

118.89 120.12 118.0618 28 27 122.50 123.70 121.50 119.00 117.25 121.25 124.34 10/03/48 116.98 11/25/72 1.08-4.22Hamilton

96.72 97.90 95.578 29 25 102.10 102.40 99.00 96.00 94.00 95.50 101.88 09/16/60 93.98 05/23/68 1.59-3.98Hancock

129.65 130.80 128.728 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Hartridge

141.47 143.11 140.1034 26 25 144.80 147.20 144.00 141.00 139.00 143.00 146.42 03/23/98 138.54 05/11/68 1.56-3.31Helene

155.10 156.49 154.2116 31 26 160.10 160.40 159.00 156.00 154.00 158.50 158.60 01/29/96 152.74 06/22/88 1.47-2.11Henry

123.91 125.22 122.9936 27 26 127.00 127.50 126.50 124.00 122.50 126.00 127.03 08/26/67 121.96 12/09/81 1.03-1.81Henry (HC)

94.24 96.71 93.0117 32 28 98.50 99.30 98.50 96.00 94.00 98.00 98.01 08/30/95 91.80 06/11/86 1.21-1.30Hickory (FP)

127.55 129.79 126.0230 28 24 134.20 134.80 133.21 07/13/91 125.72 6/9/00 0.30-3.42Hollingsworth

137.47 138.27 136.5021 28 24 141.00 140.32 07/24/98 136.25 6/23/00 0.25-2.05Holloway

129.65 130.80 128.7230 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Howard

161.43 161.93 160.9124 28 23 162.30 163.00 162.75 160.25 159.00 162.25 163.20 06/26/95 159.59 02/23/96 1.32-1.27Hunter

132.39 133.78 131.5217 28 26 136.70 137.90 135.25 132.00 130.50 135.00 136.17 08/14/92 131.52 06/28/00 0.00-2.39Ida (WH)




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

131.93 132.22 131.2916 28 26 134.90 136.90 134.00 133.50 131.50 133.50 133.26 07/13/91 131.28 06/28/00 0.01-1.04Idyl

129.65 130.80 128.7218 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Idylwild

129.65 130.80 128.7212 28 25 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Jessie

108.07 108.38 107.8031 28 24 112.60 111.00 11/14/91 107.28 4/16/99 0.52-2.62John

108.14 110.06 106.4227 28 27 124.10 127.70 121.50 118.00 116.50 121.00 114.86 11/28/95 106.42 6/30/00 0.00-4.80Josephine (D)

109.70 111.68 108.3613 30 27 121.30 120.00 116.50 114.50 119.50 116.52 03/25/98 107.94 06/07/94 0.42-4.84Josephine (LW)

130.01 131.26 129.1015 27 25 134.70 136.30 132.50 130.00 127.50 132.00 134.10 03/21/98 126.20 05/07/76 2.90-2.84Juliana

112.96 114.84 111.9010 29 27 122.10 124.40 119.00 116.00 114.00 118.50 117.24 03/05/98 110.18 05/24/90 1.72-2.40Lee

114.55 116.94 112.8816 28 27 123.50 123.50 121.50 120.00 123.25 121.90 03/25/98 112.88 7/22/00 0.00-4.96Lee (LH)

134.06 134.98 133.379 28 25 137.10 138.30 137.00 134.50 132.50 136.75 136.66 02/15/83 131.85 05/05/76 1.52-1.68Lena

85.37 85.37 85.3710 31 28 87.40 88.40 87.00 84.50 83.00 86.50 85.94 05/13/93 82.94 06/11/86 2.43-0.57Leonore

123.38 124.93 122.0027 28 26 128.70 129.90 128.00 125.00 123.00 127.00 127.32 10/24/95 121.52 6/29/89 0.48-2.39Link

128.64 130.18 127.3514 27 26 132.00 134.80 133.32 06/11/60 125.12 05/24/77 2.23-3.14Lowery

133.42 134.52 132.564 27 25 135.20 136.40 136.00 133.00 131.00 135.25 136.00 08/21/95 132.38 06/01/94 0.18-1.48Ltl Agnes

93.20 95.28 92.0013 30 28 103.30 100.50 98.00 96.00 100.00 97.16 03/25/98 91.71 06/01/94 0.29-1.88Ltl Aurora

116.97 118.48 115.9023 31 27 122.60 125.80 119.00 10/18/99 112.80 06/13/91 3.10-0.52Ltl Crooked

127.12 129.00 125.981 29 25 131.00 133.80 130.75 130.50 131.50 09/23/96 118.76 05/10/76 7.22-2.50Ltl Eagle

131.68 133.30 130.5622 28 26 137.50 138.60 135.50 135.00 136.10 11/17/95 128.78 06/19/89 1.78-2.80Ltl Elbert

92.70 94.10 91.6235 29 28 96.80 97.80 95.50 94.00 92.00 96.00 96.86 04/06/98 89.39 06/25/91 2.23-2.76Ltl Gum

118.89 120.12 118.065 28 27 122.50 123.70 121.50 119.00 117.25 121.25 124.34 10/03/48 116.98 11/25/72 1.08-4.22Ltl Hamilton

136.55 136.87 135.8426 27 25 141.40 142.00 139.00 136.50 135.50 138.50 138.68 08/19/82 135.84 6/19/00 0.00-1.81Ltl Van




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

129.65 130.80 128.724 29 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Lulu

101.89 103.88 100.7011 29 27 114.50 117.00 110.75 107.00 105.00 110.00 108.20 03/25/98 99.30 05/23/90 1.40-4.32Mabel

122.94 124.22 121.8627 28 26 125.60 126.30 124.75 122.75 121.00 124.50 125.80 08/13/95 120.72 05/10/90 1.14-1.58Mariam

135.82 136.54 134.921 28 25 138.60 139.60 137.50 135.00 133.00 137.00 138.58 09/15/60 133.90 07/01/56 1.02-2.04Mariana

107.72 109.40 105.8427 28 27 122.30 124.30 121.00 118.00 116.00 120.00 114.48 11/28/95 105.84 06/30/00 0.00-5.08Marie

107.72 109.40 105.8427 28 27 122.30 124.30 121.00 118.00 116.00 120.00 114.48 11/28/95 105.84 06/30/00 0.00-5.08Marie

139.18 140.54 138.2721 28 26 142.50 143.80 142.00 139.00 137.00 141.50 142.62 10/27/95 137.06 05/10/90 1.21-2.08Martha

138.11 139.46 136.9421 28 26 141.70 143.30 140.50 137.50 136.00 140.00 140.08 2/19/99 136.66 05/27/86 0.28-0.62Maude

129.65 130.80 128.7229 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30May

127.55 129.00 126.667 29 26 133.10 134.60 132.00 129.50 128.00 131.50 131.98 09/28/98 115.11 05/12/76 11.55-2.98Mc Leod

118.89 120.12 118.067 28 27 122.50 123.70 121.50 119.00 117.25 121.25 124.34 10/03/48 116.98 11/25/72 1.08-4.22Mdl Hamilton

134.87 136.05 134.0036 27 25 140.40 141.40 138.00 134.50 133.00 137.00 139.75 03/26/98 134.00 12/18/00 0.00-3.70Medora

117.64 119.00 116.2028 28 27 127.00 128.80 122.00 120.00 118.00 121.75 123.38 10/12/95 116.20 06/30/00 0.00-4.38Menzie

122.08 122.90 121.2311 29 25 125.30 126.20 123.50 121.00 119.00 123.00 124.82 09/21/94 119.58 05/15/81 1.65-1.92Millsite

177.92 178.21 177.4518 28 24 180.02 1988 177.38 5/24/00 0.07-1.81Mirror (Lkld)

129.65 130.80 128.7220 28 27 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Mirror (WH)

89.09 89.99 88.2917 31 28 92.80 94.10 93.50 91.00 89.00 93.00 92.26 03/26/98 86.20 06/04/85 2.09-2.27Moody

177.53 178.07 176.9619 28 24 180.47 1991 176.30 1955 0.66-2.40Morton

138.80 140.06 137.846 27 25 141.80 142.50 141.50 137.75 136.00 141.00 141.24 12/18/97 137.39 05/25/94 0.45-1.18Mud (PC)

139.38 140.67 138.5032 27 25 141.70 142.40 141.00 138.50 136.50 140.50 141.68 02/18/98 136.66 06/05/86 1.84-1.01Myrtle (A)

101.74 103.28 100.071 30 27 116.80 120.30 115.00 112.00 110.00 114.50 110.16 03/25/98 100.00 08/19/81 0.07-6.88N Wales




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

128.18 129.20 127.001 29 26 130.60 130.90 128.50 126.00 124.00 127.75 129.50 10/22/98 126.04 06/10/93 0.96-0.30Ned

123.38 124.93 122.0028 28 26 128.70 133.70 128.00 125.00 123.00 127.00 129.12 09/10/60 119.58 05/15/76 2.42-4.19Otis

126.33 127.88 125.108 28 26 130.00 130.60 129.00 126.50 124.50 128.50 129.70 07/15/91 125.10 06/28/00 0.00-1.82Pansy

128.71 129.78 128.088 28 24 131.60 133.50 131.00 128.75 127.50 130.75 131.91 06/26/82 127.02 06/09/86 1.06-2.13Parker (Lkld)

118.92 120.28 117.4232 29 27 122.50 123.30 122.00 119.50 117.50 121.50 122.30 02/24/98 114.62 06/23/92 2.80-2.02Parker (LW)

101.19 101.88 100.5036 29 28 104.50 105.20 102.50 100.00 98.00 102.00 103.80 03/23/98 97.40 05/12/91 3.10-1.92Parks

140.68 141.54 139.8027 30 26 142.40 143.50 142.00 139.50 137.50 141.50 142.80 09/26/94 137.30 06/02/86 2.50-1.26Polecat

77.85 78.40 77.4135 31 28 80.00 81.10 79.75 77.25 75.25 79.50 80.66 10/01/60 76.89 06/01/67 0.52-2.26Reedy

134.51 136.14 133.191 29 26 141.60 142.60 139.50 136.00 134.00 139.00 140.56 11/28/95 133.19 6/29/00 0.00-4.42River

126.48 127.92 125.244 28 26 129.70 130.60 128.75 126.50 124.60 128.50 130.05 09/16/60 125.24 12/22/00 0.00-2.13Rochelle

129.65 130.80 128.7234 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Roy

122.65 123.58 121.5612 29 26 125.50 126.20 125.25 123.00 121.00 125.00 125.62 09/22/94 117.41 05/04/76 4.15-2.04Ruby

110.50 112.22 108.1428 28 27 123.50 126.30 121.50 117.50 115.50 120.50 117.16 11/14/95 108.14 6/30/00 0.00-4.94Ruth (D)

165.86 166.69 165.2818 29 24 168.60 172.20 168.00 165.00 164.25 167.50 169.19 09/13/60 159.29 11/18/72 5.99-2.50Scott

137.51 138.92 136.7036 28 25 143.20 144.30 141.00 138.00 136.00 140.50 142.48 09/20/95 136.00 04/30/91 0.70-3.56Sears

129.65 130.82 128.7832 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 132.28 12/22/97 128.78 06/28/00 0.00-1.46Shipp

100.79 101.60 100.195 32 28 105.00 105.80 103.00 100.50 98.50 102.50 105.74 10/25/95 97.35 06/11/86 2.84-4.14Silver (FP)

142.27 141.34 143.9020 28 26 147.10 147.90 146.50 144.00 142.00 146.00 146.80 08/29/95 140.34 05/27/86 3.56-5.46Silver (WH)

126.48 127.92 125.249 28 26 129.70 130.50 128.75 126.50 124.50 128.50 129.62 09/11/47 125.24 12/22/00 0.00-1.70Smart

127.16 128.70 125.9635 28 25 134.10 135.20 131.50 129.00 127.00 131.00 133.38 04/06/98 122.36 05/15/91 3.60-4.68Spirit

129.65 130.80 128.7220 28 27 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.19 09/11/60 128.28 05/14/76 0.44-2.39Spring




Min Flood Level

Min Low Level

Min Ext Low Level



2000 Max /

Record Hi Diff.

90.43 92.37 89.3914 30 28 97.50 96.00 93.00 91.00 95.50 94.67 04/04/98 88.87 05/29/92 0.52-2.30St Anne

99.68 101.80 98.3014 29 27 115.50 117.40 113.00 110.00 108.00 112.50 106.10 03/25/98 97.68 02/26/91 0.62-4.30Starr (W)

129.65 130.80 128.7234 28 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Summit

130.51 131.26 129.5426 30 26 133.60 134.70 133.00 130.75 128.50 132.75 132.68 04/01/87 127.00 03/14/91 2.54-1.42Surveyors

128.87 130.47 127.8529 27 26 133.00 133.50 132.50 130.00 128.00 132.00 133.56 02/16/98 125.00 10/08/81 2.85-3.09Swoope

128.87 130.47 127.8529 27 26 133.00 133.50 132.50 130.00 128.00 132.00 133.56 02/16/98 125.00 10/08/81 2.85-3.09Swoope

129.61 130.48 128.669 27 25 134.70 136.30 134.00 130.00 128.00 133.00 133.26 04/05/93 128.66 06/19/00 0.00-2.78Tennessee

96.10 97.70 94.801 30 28 104.20 105.60 99.50 97.00 94.50 99.00 99.72 09/29/98 90.20 06/12/91 4.60-2.02Thomas

126.49 128.30 125.3335 28 25 135.60 136.90 132.00 128.00 126.00 131.00 133.05 03/21/98 124.05 04/09/92 1.28-4.75Thomas (WH)

121.28 122.98 120.1214 30 27 125.00 123.25 121.00 119.00 123.00 124.20 09/28/98 115.95 06/07/94 4.17-1.22Tractor

115.54 118.26 113.0011 30 27 124.10 127.70 123.75 120.00 118.00 123.50 124.70 02/24/98 111.64 05/22/90 1.36-6.44Twin Lakes E

131.77 132.72 130.9325 27 25 133.00 134.70 132.75 130.00 128.00 132.00 134.45 02/18/98 130.93 6/19/00 0.00-1.73Van

116.69 118.30 115.609 29 27 126.10 127.00 125.00 122.00 120.00 124.50 122.70 03/25/98 114.64 02/26/91 0.96-4.40Venus

102.02 103.82 100.801 30 27 114.10 120.30 112.50 110.00 108.00 112.00 110.09 12/31/51 97.09 05/21/90 3.71-6.27Wailes

139.05 141.18 137.7621 30 26 143.00 141.00 137.00 135.00 140.00 144.24 10/26/98 129.43 09/01/77 8.33-3.06Walker

113.32 115.08 111.3011 30 27 124.60 127.80 123.50 121.00 119.00 123.00 122.10 03/25/98 109.56 05/14/91 1.74-7.02Warren

118.20 120.00 116.103 30 27 122.00 123.40 121.75 119.00 117.00 121.25 120.84 09/17/92 116.10 6/30/00 0.00-0.84Weader

134.98 136.40 125.6033 27 25 140.90 141.50 137.50 135.00 133.75 136.75 138.12 04/10/83 134.50 05/08/76 -8.90-1.72Whistler

129.65 130.80 128.7211 29 26 132.60 133.40 132.00 129.50 127.00 131.50 133.10 09/11/60 128.36 05/14/76 0.36-2.30Winterset

193.91 194.78 192.5813 28 23 198.22 1959 192.28 6/9/00 0.30-3.44Wire


Figure 27

Figure 28


Figure 29

Figure 30


Figure 31

Figure 32


Figure 33

Figure 34


Figure 35

Figure 36


Figure 37

Figure 38


Figure 39

Figure 40


APPENDIX C

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

Polk County Natural Resources Division2000 Lake Report G1

10 YEAR FLOOD LEVELThat elevation, in feet above mean sea level, which approximates the level of flooding expected on afrequency of not less than a ten (10) year recurring interval, or on a frequency of not greater than a tenpercent (10%) probability of occurrence in any given year, as determined from analysis of best available data.

100 YEAR FLOOD LEVELThat elevation, in feet above mean sea level, which approximates the level of flooding expected on afrequency of not less than one hundred (100) year recurring interval, or on a frequency of not greater thana one percent (1%) probability of occurrence in any given year, as determined from analysis of best availabledata.

AQUATIC MACROPHYTES (VEGETATION)Plants visible to the naked eye (not microscopic) that live on or in water.

AQUIFERAn underground geological formation which contains water and is usually composed of gravel or porous stone.

BACTERIAMicroscopic, primitive one celled organism without cell organelles. Many are beneficial, but a few areharmful. Blue-green algae are bacteria related organisms, see Cyanobacteria.

BATHYMETRIC MAPA map which shows the bottom contour of the lake in feet or meters.

BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMANDB.O.D. - an indirect measurement of the amount of oxygen used in the biochemical oxidation of organicmatter in water. Used to indirectly indicate the level of contamination in water or contamination potential ofa waste.

BIOTAAll the plant and animal life of a particular region or natural system.

CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMANDC.O.D. - a measure of the oxygen consuming capacity of inorganic and organic matter present in water. Itis expressed as the amount of oxygen consumed from a chemical oxidant in a specific test. COD does notnecessarily correlate with B.O.D.

GLOSSARY


CHLOROPHYLL aA green pigment found in plants and blue-green algae and are an essential component in the process ofconverting light energy into chemical energy. Chlorophyll a in a water sample is a useful indicator ofphytoplankton biomass, especially when used in conjunction with analysis concerning algal growth potentialand species abundance.

COLORColoration of water as compared to an artificial color scale. Color can be a factor of natural decompositionor pollution. Industrial discharges may change water color.

CONTAMINANTSImpurities, pollutants, pathogens or debris that makes water unhealthy for living things.

CONTROL STRUCTUREAs used in this report, a manmade structure located at the outfall or downstream of the outfall of the lake thatis used to regulate the water level of the lake.

CPUChloroplatinate Units, color units.

DISCHARGES/WITHDRAWALSPermitted (by FDEP and WMD's) surface water discharges and withdrawals to/from the lake. Certainwithdrawals (i.e. irrigation) may not require a permit due to the low rate of withdrawal.

DISSOLVED OXYGEND.O. - the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, an essential component in the aquatic environment, lowlevels of dissolved oxygen create fish kills. High levels can cause stress for certain biota.

DIVERSITY INDEXStatistical method which produces a single number summary describing the health of a biotic community.Good diversity includes many species with good, even abundance throughout all species present.

DOMINANT VEGETATIONThe most prominent macrophytic population established in the lake.

GLOSSARY


DRAINAGE BASIN AREAThe area of land enclosed by a topographic divide within which direct surface runoff from precipitationnormally drains by gravity into a body of water. Drainage areas herein include all closed basins ornoncontributing areas.

DRAINAGE BASINRefers to which hydrologic watershed the lake lies within and should not be confused with the politicallyestablished water basins.

DROUGHTA long period of time without enough rain.

ELEVATIONThe elevation of the lake's water surface, in feet above mean sea level, as shown on the USGS TopographicMaps. Most lakes fluctuate naturally through a range of several feet. Current levels probably differ fromlisted levels.

EROSIONThe action of cutting into or washing away soil.

ENTEROCOCCI BACTERIAA harmless subgroup of streptococci bacteria that live in the gut of warm-blooded animals. This bacteria isa good tracker of human pathogenic viruses and other bacteria.

ENTEROCOCCI BACTERIA TESTA method used to determine the subgroup of streptococci. A very useful indicator of human pathogens.

EUTROPHICA descriptive term for lakes with high nutrient levels. Lake bottom contains organic sediments. Overall bioticproductivity is high, but may lack a healthy species diversity. A dying lake.

EVAPORATIONWhen water changes from a liquid to a vapor (gas).

EXOTIC VEGETATIONPlants which are not native to an area, usually imported or escaped. Usually they out compete all other plantsand become a monotypic culture.

GLOSSARY


FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA TESTA method used to determine the presence of fecal coliform in the water column. Fecal coliform is producedby all warm blooded animals and eliminated through the digestive tract.

FLOODToo much rain water at one time so the water is unable to soak into the ground.

FLOODPLAINFlatlands periodically covered by flood waters.

FLORIDAN AQUIFERThe main source of ground water for most of the state of Florida; this aquifer is composed mostly of limestonethat is very permeable.

GROUNDWATERA body of water which exists within the internal passageways of aquifers and which flows in response togravitational forces.

HAZARDOUS WASTESChemical and biological products, such as insecticides, pesticides, bacteria, oils, paints, petroleum, biotoxins,and manufacturing process waters which can harm or kill animals or humans.

HEAVY METALSMetals such as cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and chromium, which can harm aquatic life in smallconcentrations when they become dissolved in water and bio-accumulated.

HERBICIDESSpecific chemicals used to kill or control plants.

HOLDING PONDA pond or reservoir usually made of earth and built to store stormwater runoff or effluent such as industrialwastewater.

HYDROLOGIC CYCLEWater moves from the air to the ground as rain, snow or hail into lakes, streams and oceans, and back intothe air again.

GLOSSARY


HYDROLOGIC RECORDThe period of time during which information exists on lake water level (stage).

IMPERMEABLEWater cannot penetrate in measurable quantities, such as water through concrete or clay.

IMPURITIESSoil and other pollutants which make water unsafe to drink.

INFORMATION SOURCESAgencies which have conducted studies or have developed information on the lakes and streams. CWH - City of Winter Haven PCNRD - Polk County Natural Resources Division USGS - United States Geological Survey US EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency FDEP - Florida Department of Environmental Protection SWFWMD - South West Florida Water Management District SFWMD - South Florida Water Management District SJRWMD - St John's River Water Management District LRLMD - Lake Region Lakes Management District (Canal Commission) FFFWCC - Florida Freshwater Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission CFRPC - Central Florida Regional Planning Council ACOE - United States Army Corps of Engineers IONSIons (chloride, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) are atoms or groups of atoms which havea positive or negative charge. Ions in the proper ratio are necessary for many biological functions within anorganism. They are dissolved from rocks and soils in contact with the lake or inflowing waters. Some ionsmay also be carried in the air and be deposited by rainfall or stormwater runoff. Calcium and magnesium arethe cause of most of the hardness measured in waters.

LAKE TYPEType of lake as follows: Has streams flowing in; Has streams flowing out; Has streams flowing in and out;is Landlocked

LAKE VOLUMEThe volume of water (measured in acre-feet) in the lake determined from the most recent Bathymetric map.Values will vary with changing water levels.

GLOSSARY


LAND USEPrevalent land use within the drainage basin of the lake. In general, land use is categorized into urban(residential and commercial) forest, agriculture, water, and wetlands.

LITTORAL ZONEThe lakeshore zone where rooted emergent vegetation typically flourishes and sunlight can penetrate to thebottom. It functions as an important breeding and/or nursery area for many aquatic species especially fish.

LOCATIONThe location of the approximate center of the lake is identified by section number, township, and range. Alllakes are located in or adjacent to Polk County, Florida.

mMeters, 1 meter = 3.281 feet.

MAXIMUM DEPTHMaximum lake depth observed during the development of the most recent Bathymetric map.

MEAN DEPTHCalculated value obtained by dividing the lake volume by the lake surface area. Final increments are in feet.

MEANDEREDLakes were meandered in the original land survey of Florida. If a lake was navigable, under Federal law atthe time statehood was granted, title to bed was vested in the State (as 'sovereignty lands'). However, thefact that a lake was not meandered does not determine navigability or state sovereignty. Excerpted fromHydrologic Almanac of Florida, Open File Report 81-1107 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

MESOTROPHICA descriptive term relating to a lake with a moderate nutrient and biological productivity level. The nutrientand sediment deposition increases, algal blooms occur, terrestrial plants begin to flourish and the littoral zonewidens.

MILLIGRAMS PER LITER (mg/L)A unit of concentration indicating the number of milligrams of a solute in one liter of solution. Also can beexpressed as parts per million (ppm).

mg/m3

milligrams per cubic meter

GLOSSARY


NATIVE VEGETATIONPlants which historically occur in a given geographic location.

NITROGENOne of the primary nutrients which is necessary for the growth of algae and aquatic plants in lakes. In mostlakes it may limit the growth of algae, and in abundance it can cause accelerated eutrophication of a lake.When the concentrations consistently exceed the natural levels, undesirable changes in the aquatic communitymay occur.

N/P RATIOThe ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus.

NTUNephelometric Turbidity Unit.

NUTRIENT LIMITINGCarbon, Phosphorus and Nitrogen are basic elements for plant growth. In general N or P are in short supplyand can limit the growth of plants in a lake. The ratio of N or P determines which is the key limiting element.This is an important factor because to reduce plant productivity or improve water clarity in lake restoration,activities generally target limiting nutrients.

NLL = Nitrogen limited lakesPLL = Phosphorus limited lakesNBL = Nutrient balanced lakes

NUTRIENTSSubstances that provide the chemical building blocks, as a food source, for living plants and animals. In termsof water bodies, nutrients are phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon.

OLIGOTROPHICA descriptive term referring to a water body (usually a lake) which is low in nutrient concentrations. TheOligotrophic lakes are generally associated with good water quality. They have low levels of phosphorus,nitrogen, and chlorophyll a and have very little sediment deposition. They are also known to have none orvery narrow zones of shoreline vegetation (littoral zone) and a sparse fish population.

PESTICIDESSpecific chemicals used to eliminate undesirable species.

GLOSSARY


pHAn expression which denotes the hydrogen ion activity, based on the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion

concentration.The scale is 0 to 14. pH below 7 is acidic; pH 7 is neutral; pH above 7 is basic.

PHOSPHORUS

One of the primary nutrients which is necessary for the growth of algae and aquatic plants in lakes. In manylakes it may limit the growth of algae, and in abundance it can cause accelerated eutrophication of the lake.

When the concentrations consistently exceed the natural levels, undesirable changes in the aquatic communitymay occur.

PHYSIOGRAPHIC UNIT

Physiographic subdivision in which the lake lies as identified by the Physiographic Map of Polk County(PCNRD, 1985).

PRECIPITATION

Water droplets or ice particles condensed from atomospheric water vapor and sufficiently massive to fall tothe earth’s surface.

PRODUCTIVITY

The rate of formation of organic matter (living) by biological process over a defined period of time.

PUBLIC ACCESS

States whether there is access to a lake for the general public.

RECHARGEThe act of water seeping through soils to replenish water in an aquifer.

RECORD HIGH

The highest level (measured in feet above mean sea level) the lake surface has reached during the period ofrecord.

RECORD LOW

The lowest level (measured in feet above mean sea level) the lake surface has reached during the period ofrecord.

RESTORATION for water bodies

Clean up of damaged or polluted water bodies.

GLOSSARY


SECCHI DEPTHMeasurement of water clarity by recording the depth at which a black and white disc becomes

indistinguishable when viewed from the water’s surface.

SECCHI DISKA black and white disk, 20cm in diameter, used to measure water clarity (lower disk into water until it is no

longer visible and note distance measurement).

SEDIMENTOrganic and inorganic solids which have settled to the bottom of a body of water.

SHORELINE LENGTH

The length of the lake shoreline, measured in miles. Measurements were obtained from the bathymetric map,if available, or recent aerial photographs. Shoreline lengths do not include islands. Shoreline length varies

as lake levels and surface areas fluctuate.

SINKHOLEA land surface feature that usually develops during times of low groundwater levels; occurs when the weight

of sediments above an empty cavern causes the cavern's ceiling to collapse, creating a depression in the landor a hole in the bottom of a lake or other surface water body.

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCEA measurement of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current.

SPORT FISHERIES

A general statement as to the condition of the sport fisheries of the lake as assessed by the Florida Game andFreshwater Fish Commission.

STORMWATER RUNOFF

The water flowing over the land during and immediately after a heavy rainfall that is usually full of pollutants,sediments, and nutrients.

S-T-R

Section, Township, Range - used for locating areas on the map.

GLOSSARY


SURFACE AREATaken from the Florida Gazetteer of Lakes, published in 1969 by the Florida Board of Conservation. Areais recorded in acres. Marsh areas adjacent to the lakes were included in the lake area measurements.Surface areas expand and contract as the lake level rises and falls. The current surface area will thereforeprobably differ from the listed value.

SURFACE WATERThe water on the surface of the land in lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, puddles, etc.

SWFWMDSouthwest Florida Water Management District

SWIMSurface Water Improvement and Management

TEMPERATUREAn important factor in controlling chemical interactions and reactivity in the water column; also it affectsbiological activity, since many aquatic organisms have strict temperature requirements.

TOTAL ALKALINITYThe capacity of water to neutralize acids, a property impaired by the water's content of carbonates,bicarbonates, hydroxides, and occasionally borates, silicates, phosphates. It is expressed in milligrams per literof equivalent calcium carbonate.

TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIAFacultative anaerobic, gram negative, rod-shaped bacteria. The majority live in soils most are beneficial. Apoor indicator of human health or water quality.

TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDST.D.S. - is the mass of nonvolatile dissolved salts in a solution.

TOTAL KJELDAHL NITROGENTKN - test method used to measure the organic nitrogen and ammonia.

TOTAL NITROGENTotal N - combined measurements of nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and organic nitrogen found in water.

GLOSSARY


TOTAL ORGANIC CARBONT.O.C. - a measurement of the concentration of carbon found associated with organic (living) compoundsand carbon dissolved in the water.

TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDST.S.S. - solids that are in suspension in the water column.

TROPHIC STATE INDEX - TSIA single numeric value condensed from several individual water quality constituents to assess lake waterquality - 0 to 59 = good, 60 to 69 = fair, 70 to 100 = poor water quality. This is a relative scale.

TURBIDITYA physical characteristic of water that reduces light penetration. The condition is caused by the presenceof suspended solids.

WASTEWATER EFFLUENTWater which has been treated in a wastewater treatment plant, and returned to a waterbody (pond, lake,stream, or river) or used as part of a reuse program.

WATER POLLUTIONContamination of any water which will create or is likely to create a nuisance or to render such watersharmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, livestock, aquatic life, or other animals, includingcontamination by alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of such waters, change intemperature, taste, color, or odor.

WATER QUALITYA summary of the most recent water quality data with regards to the degree of eutrophication and informationon recent water quality trends, if available.

WATER QUALITY INDEX - WQI (Polk County)The Water Quality Index is a numerical index using the reported water chemistry values in a linear, parameterweighted formula. The index baseline closely approaches Florida Class III water quality standards. TheWQI compares the water quality of the lake or stream to the baseline. Above the baseline, Class IIIstandards are not being met.

WATER RESTRICTIONRules devised to limit water use as a means of conservation during periods of drought.

GLOSSARY


WATER TABLEThe upper surface of the zone of saturation in an unconfined aquifer at which the pressure is equal toatmospheric pressure.

WELLA hole drilled into the ground, used to bring water from an aquifer to the surface for use.

WETLANDAn area where fresh or salt water covers or soaks the ground for a period of time. Wetlands generallyinclude swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. There is no universal accepted definition at this time.

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