The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the City of Lakeland on a project that will improve water quality in Lake Hollingsworth.
The Lake Hollingsworth Westside Stormwater Treatment project consists of the construction of four stormwater treatment wetlands on the west side of the lake. This project builds upon improvements made to the lake by three previous cooperative funding projects a sediment-dredging project, a whole-lake alum application project and a stormwater treatment wetland at Anchor Park.
The four stormwater treatment wetlands will treat runoff from four sub-basins totaling 217 acres. Thirteen outfalls from the sub-basins flow into Lake Hollingsworth.
The area where the treatment wetlands will be built is grassy, lakefront property owned by the city and private individuals. The city has an agreement with the landowners to maintain the privately-owned property and is obtaining drainage easements on the parcels.
The plan is to construct four strands of treatment wetlands instead of a traditional square or rectangle design. This construction will help retain recreational uses on the lake more than if a traditional layout was constructed. Each wetland strand will be planted with native wetland vegetation and maintained at a level of two feet, with a maximum depth of three feet.
Because the City of Lakeland has completed the design and permitting phase of the project, funding from the District’s Peace River Basin Board will be designated for construction only. This project is estimated to cost $378,432, with funding being evenly divided between the District and the City of Lakeland.
Construction is set to begin by the end of April and is expected to be complete by the end of November.