Lake Placid Seepage Study

Lake Placid is one of Highlands County's largest lakes, located to the south of the Town of Lake Placid.  Lake Placid originally drained to Lake Huntley to the northeast, but excavation of Catfish Creek between Lake Placid and Lake June in the 1930's and 1960's has artificially lowered the level of Lake Placid.  The outfall point of Lake Placid was lowered, water flow became more rapid as the creek was excavated, and groundwater seepage increased, lowering the level of the surficial aquifer as well as the level of the lake by several feet.  The purpose of this study, cooperatively funded by Highlands County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, is to determine whether the lake can be raised closer to historical levels without adversely impacting the environment, flooding, and property rights.  Several tasks are necessary to accomplish this objective:

• permitting must be discussed with the Department of Environmental Protection

• the ordinary high water line must be determined to define where state sovereign lands end

• rainfall will be monitored

• a field investigation of the Catfish Creek channels will determine the location and condition of structures, the presence or absence of hardpans or other restrictive layers, and other pertinent features

• quarterly water quality samples will be taken at 9 locations to determine surface and groundwater flow origins for the creek and lateral channels

• flow measurements will be taken at 9 locations quarterly, during dry periods, to determine the amount of flow at each location originating from seepage

• the water level will be assessed to determine the level best audited to protect natural resources as well as homes

• the water table around the lake will be mapped

• surveys of house slabs, septic tank drainfields, docks, etc. will be conducted to determine how an increase in the lake level will impact homeowners

• the water budget for the lake will be determined

• impacts of raising the lake level on stormwater flow will be determined

• public meetings will be held

 Contact Clell Ford at 402-6545 for more information.