SUBJECT
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Approve Cooperative Funding Agreement (No. 22CF0004301) with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to co-fund the Lake Hancock Watershed Management Plan ($1,250,000 one-time revenue and $1,250,000 County match).
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DESCRIPTION
The Lake Hancock watershed (135 sq. miles) is located within west-central Polk County. Within the county are three ridges separated by relatively flat lowland areas. The Lake Hancock watershed occupies the area between the Lakeland Ridge on the western boundary and Winter Haven Ridge along the eastern boundary. Significant portions of the watershed have been mined creating remnant overburden spoil piles, clay settling areas, and water filled depressions. The watershed all drains to Structure P-11, which regulates flow from Lake Hancock before discharging to lower Saddle Creek and ultimately the Peace River.
Lake Hancock receives inflow from three major tributaries. Saddle Creek originates east
of the City of Lakeland generally flowing south through a swampy area before entering the Lake. Lake Lena Run originates in Auburndale and enters Lake Hancock on the northeast side. Banana Lake, located about 1-mile northwest of Highland City, discharges into the Banana Lake Canal that enters Circle B before discharging to the west side of the Lake. These three tributaries account for 81% of the Lake Hancock Watershed. The Eagle Lake system located below Lake Lena Run is a minor tributary that originates in the Eagle Lake area and enters southeast Lake Hancock. Remaining areas of the watershed are contiguous to the Lake.
Lake Hancock is the primary receiving waterbody of all inflows from the Watershed and has been characterized as hypereutrophic and of poor water quality. Nutrient concentrations within the Lake promotes the growth of phytoplankton with a dominance of blue-green algae. Lake Hancock has the highest levels of chlorophyll of all lakes analyzed in the County's water quality sampling program, apparent...
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