Scott Lake Fix Still A Work in Progress
Homeowners have been working with engineers on a permanent solution.
LAKELAND - Scott Lake will get fixed.
It's just going to take a while for plans to come together, and most likely more than $1 million.
The lake is experiencing the same dry conditions as the rest of Polk County, which has given it a poolish, weedy look. But the good news is homeowners are determined to solve the sinkhole-induced problem on the private lake.
"It hasn't gained any I can tell in the last 60 days because of the lack of rain," said Dave Curry, spokesman for lake residents. "But it's held its own."
Scott Lake drained almost six months ago when four sinkholes opened in its bed. The largest, estimated to be at least 150 feet deep, sucked down water, sand, alligators and fish. Before it plugged itself, it drained up to 1 billion gallons - more than 90 percent of the water from the 285-acre lake.
Engineers, however, have said they don't know how long the plug will hold and residents have been working to find a permanent solution.
The current plan calls for using soil from around the lake, riprap, sand and a claylike material that expands and seals when it comes in contact with water.
A survey is planned to determine how much soil can come from the shoreline. Once the survey is complete, the results will be evaluated and residents will file for a permit with the Department of Environmental Protection, which governs the lake bottom. "And that could take anywhere from a month to six months," Curry said.
It's just going to take a while for plans to come together, and most likely more than $1 million.
The lake is experiencing the same dry conditions as the rest of Polk County, which has given it a poolish, weedy look. But the good news is homeowners are determined to solve the sinkhole-induced problem on the private lake.
"It hasn't gained any I can tell in the last 60 days because of the lack of rain," said Dave Curry, spokesman for lake residents. "But it's held its own."
Scott Lake drained almost six months ago when four sinkholes opened in its bed. The largest, estimated to be at least 150 feet deep, sucked down water, sand, alligators and fish. Before it plugged itself, it drained up to 1 billion gallons - more than 90 percent of the water from the 285-acre lake.
Engineers, however, have said they don't know how long the plug will hold and residents have been working to find a permanent solution.
The current plan calls for using soil from around the lake, riprap, sand and a claylike material that expands and seals when it comes in contact with water.
A survey is planned to determine how much soil can come from the shoreline. Once the survey is complete, the results will be evaluated and residents will file for a permit with the Department of Environmental Protection, which governs the lake bottom. "And that could take anywhere from a month to six months," Curry said.
Curry said the project will cost "at least" $1 million and
"probably a little bit more." "(But) we're not looking for the public to
pay for it," Curry said. Curry estimates about 450 homeowners have access to the
lake and will be asked to chip in.
Diane Lacey Allen can be reached at
[email protected] or 863-802-7514.