Public Notice: Lake Bonny Flood Mitigation Strategy - Pumping Additional Stormwater

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LAKELAND, FL (October 22, 2024) | The City of Lakeland is working with several agencies in ongoing efforts to mitigate the sustained flooding on Lake Bonny.  The City of Lakeland has been coordinating with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Polk County, US Army Corp of Engineers, and the State of Florida to develop a flood mitigation plan.

The US Army Corp of Engineers is providing two industrial water pumps that will be placed on the northwest corner of Lake Bonny on the recreational pathway and 6,000 feet of piping to remove water from Lake Bonny and transfer it to Lake Parker.  SWFWMD and Polk County has agreed to allow Lake Bonny outflow to be discharged into the Peace River.  The equipment is being delivered from Clewiston, Florida within the next 24-hours. City and SWFWMD staff will work around the clock to install the system and get it operational.  Staff will man the system 24/7 to ensure it is operating and not causing unintended flooding in the vicinity of the operations.  

The strategy will include the closing of Main Street to run above ground pipe from Lake Bonny to a stormwater outflow on North Gary Road, just north of the train trestle.  The stormwater system discharges to Lake Parker and flows to Lake Hancock before being discharged to the Peace River.  The SWFWMD oversees and manages water bodies that flow to the Peace River.  

City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said, “The City of Lakeland team has continued to agonize alongside our flooded Lake Bonny residents.  We have tirelessly sought every opportunity to reduce flooding levels without negatively impacting other residents or major commerce networks.”  He added, “By stepping back from our current pump location, we were able to think outside the box and devise a unique plan to redirect floodwaters into Lake Parker. This project involves several agencies, and we truly value their efforts and support. I especially want to commend City staff for their unwavering dedication to helping those in our community most affected by Hurricane Milton.”

The overland piping once installed will impact pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.  The proposed layout of the piping will result in closed roads that will include: E. Main Street at Elgin Street, Elgin Street, N. Fern Road from Elgin Street to Alicia Road, N. Gary Road from Rose Street to E. Magnolia Street/E. Gary Road. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and follow the advance notice detours. The recreational path from Lake Bonny Drive to the boat ramp will be closed as well.

The system will operate for an undetermined timeframe, and if successful, will continue until Lake Bonny reaches an acceptable level and provides relief to those impacted. 

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