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 in the green color of the lake. Due to the shallow nature of the Lake, wind fetch easily stirs up the organic bottom material making the Lake turbid.
The goals of the project are to complete a watershed evaluation, floodplain analysis, floodplain level of service (FPLOS), surface water resource assessment (SWRA), and a best management practice (BMP) alternative analysis. The watershed evaluation consists of defining the watersheds natural conveyance and storage features as well as stormwater infrastructure. It also establishes a model of all watershed data and features through desktop, field reconnaissance, and survey. The floodplain analysis will consist of tasks related to the management of surface water resources and develop a watershed model to determine floodplains. Additionally, the FPLOS will identify roadway and structure flooding and estimate flood damage. The SWRA will determine pollutant loads at numerous locations throughout the watershed. The BMP alternative analysis will identify drainage improvement projects through alternative analysis and prioritization as well as identifying BMP’s that will address water quality concerns in the watershed. Overall, the project will help guide the watershed’s future stormwater infrastructure needs, water quality concerns, and flood inundation.
The SWFWMD has agreed to fund 50% of the project up to a maximum of $1,250,000 requiring a local match of 50% or $1,250,000. Resulting project transactions will be budgeted through the Parks and Natural Resources Community Investment Program (CIP) specifically the Watershed/Water Quality Management Plans CIP project and accounted for through the Stormwater Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) over the 5-year timeline.
The project has been approved by the Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee (STAC).
RECOMMENDATION
Approve SWFWMD cooperative funding Agreement No. 22CF0004301 for $1,250,000 for the Lake Hancock Watershed Management Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
Anticipated revenue and County match is included within the FY24/25 Parks & Natural Resources Community Investment Program’s Watershed/Water Quality Management Plans project.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Greg Knothe, Water Resources Project Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
GregKnothe@polk-county.net
Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net
Gaye Sharpe, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
gayesharpe@polk-county.net