Public Notice: Army Corp of Engineers Will Soon Remove Lake Bonny Pumps
LAKELAND, FL (December 2, 2024) | As of December 2, 2024, the elevation of Lake Bonny is 129.74, within its normal elevation range and below the established 10-year flood stage of 130.10 that permits the City and County to operate the City’s emergency electric pump. In coordination with Polk County, FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and with approval from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, pumping operations have been halted. The Army Corps of Engineers will soon start dismantling and removing their pumps.
The City of Lakeland operates an industrial pump at Lake Bonny that assists in moving water to Lake Parker. The pump was initially installed to accommodate 10-year flood events to lower Lake Bonny water levels. The pump was not intended to accommodate a once in a 200-year rain event experienced with Hurricane Milton.
On October 23, 2024, the Army Corps of Engineers began operating two auxiliary pumps at Lake Bonny to help mitigate Lake Bonny flood conditions. The strategy closed a portion of Main Street to run above ground pipe from Lake Bonny to a stormwater outflow on North Gary Road. Soon after the initial installation of the two pumps, the Army Corps of Engineers installed a third auxiliary pump to assist moving water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker. The three auxiliary pumps will be removed by the Army Corp of Engineers. The pump operated by the City of Lakeland will remain in place.
Contact
Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net
About Lakeland
The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population fast approaching 130,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State in 1889.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.