The reevaluation process of the minimum lake levels for Lake Aurora includes technical analysis and scientific review by staff, as well as opportunities for public input.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is reevaluating the minimum levels for Lake Aurora, located in Polk County. District staff have completed a draft report that includes recommendations for new minimum levels for the lake.
The District provides opportunities for residents, local governments and other interested stakeholders to review the draft report and new proposed minimum levels, ask questions and provide comments before the proposed levels move forward in the rulemaking process. The public may submit a comment below, attend the public meeting or reach out to the District contact to share feedback.
All comments received will be reviewed and considered by District staff and shared with the District’s Governing Board.
MFL Overview
The District is directed by the Florida Legislature to establish minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for priority water bodies within its boundaries. MFLs are intended to protect water resources from significant harm associated with groundwater and surface water withdrawals. Once adopted into District rules, MFLs are used in water supply planning, water use permitting and environmental resource permitting.
For lakes, the District may establish:
Minimum Lake Level (MLL): The elevation that lake water levels are required to equal or exceed 50% of the time on a long-term basis.
High Minimum Lake Level (HMLL): The elevation that lake water levels are required to equal or exceed 10% of the time on a long-term basis.
About Lake Aurora
Lake Aurora is approximately 120 acres and is located about 7.5 miles southeast of the City of Lake Wales in Polk County. The lake lies within the Lake Wales Ridge and the Kissimmee River Primary Drainage Basin.
Lake Aurora is a closed-basin lake with no surface-water outlet or major surface-water tributaries. Its water levels are primarily influenced by rainfall, evaporation, groundwater interactions and watershed runoff. The surrounding area includes residential development, recreational facilities and agricultural lands. A small unimproved public boat ramp is located on the southwestern shore and a private improved boat ramp is located on northwestern shoreline.
Draft Report and Proposed Minimum Levels
The District established Lake Aurora’s current minimum levels in 2018. As part of the reevaluation, District scientists and engineers analyzed updated water-level and environmental data to determine whether revised minimum levels are needed to protect the lake.
Lake Aurora Minimum Level Reevaluation Draft Report:
The current and proposed minimum levels are:
| Level | Current | Proposed |
| Minimum Lake Level (MLL) | 97.3 feet NGVD29 | 95.8 feet NGVD29 |
| High Minimum Lake Level (HMLL) | 100.3 feet NGVD29 | 97.9 feet NGVD29 |
NGVD29 refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, a reference system used to measure elevations.
The proposed minimum levels differ from those currently in place because the District used updated information, a new model of the lake’s water budget and updated scientific criteria that account for the lake’s environmental characteristics and natural water-level fluctuations.
The draft report’s assessment indicates that Lake Aurora meets both proposed minimum levels and is projected to meet them over the next 20 years. The District will continue to monitor lake levels and conduct annual status assessments.
Public Meeting
The District plans to hold a public meeting to provide information about the Lake Aurora minimum level reevaluation. District staff will present the draft report and proposed minimum levels, explain the MFL development process and answer any questions or take comments from the public.
Date: Nov. 2026
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Address: TBD
For more meeting information, visit the District calendar.
Tentative Schedule
This schedule is tentative and may be updated as the reevaluation and rulemaking process progresses.
- Oct. 13, 2026: Draft report presentation to the District’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
- Oct. 26, 2026: Online public comment period opens
- Nov. 3, 2026: Draft report presentation to the District’s Public Supply Advisory Committee (PSAC)
- Nov. 2026: Public meeting
- Dec. 4, 2026: Online public comment period closes
- Dec. 15, 2026: Staff scheduled to present their recommendation to initiate rulemaking to the District’s Governing Board
- Jan. 1, 2027: Rulemaking process anticipated to begin
Public Comment
Comments may be submitted through the online public comment form below. District staff will review and consider comments received as the proposed minimum levels move through the review and rulemaking process. Feedback will also be shared with the Governing Board for consideration.
Public comment period: Nov. 2 - Dec. 4.
Comments submitted to the District are subject to Florida’s public records laws.