Lake Beulah is the deepest natural lake within the City of Lakeland, with an average depth of 16.4 feet. Lake Beulah has a surface area of 17 acres and serves a drainage basin area of 316 acres.

More facts about Lake Beulah:

• Lake Beulah had extensive hydrilla infestation in the 1980's and the City employed Grass carp and herbicides to control the infestation.
• Lake Beulah discharges to the Alafia River via Lake Hunter.
• Recreational activities include fishing with appropriate permits, picnicking, and a walking path.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Beulah

Lake Bentley is a man-made lake created in the 1950s by phosphate mining. Lake Bentley has an average depth of 7.2 feet. Lake Bentley has a surface area of 52 acres and serves a drainage basin area of 2,319 acres - this watershed includes Hollingsworth, Morton, and Horney systems.

Lake Bentley receives inflow from Lake Hollingsworth via Hollingsworth Creek and discharges to Lake Somerset.

Lake Bonnet is a shallow enriched system, with an average depth of 4 feet, with a surface area of 79 acres. Lake Bonnet serves a drainage basin area of 679 acres.

Facts about Lake Bonnet:

• Lake Bonnet has an extensive marsh bordering the east shoreline.
• Historical photographs show thick mats of water hyacinths covering the surface of the lake.
• A drawdown and sediment removal project was attempted in 1975, which proved unsuccessful due to problems with dewatering the lakebed.
• Brunnell Parkway forms a dike along the west shore.
• Recreational activities include fishing with appropriate permits

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Bonnet

Lake Bonny has an average depth of 3.0 feet, with a surface area of 249 acres. Lake Bonny's surface area includes Little Lake Bonny and the marsh on the west side of the lake. These waterbodies serve a drainage basin area of 1,512 acres.

Some facts about Lake Bonny:

• Lake Bonny and Little Lake Bonny were naturally land-locked and disconnected seepage lakes. These lakes were connected to each other and Lake Parker by canals in the mid-1920s.
• A public park and boat ramp is located on the north shore of the lake.
• Fishing, boating, and picnicking are allowable recreational activities.
• Another park on the west shore is in the planning phase. Preliminary plans include a boat ramp and a boardwalk.
• Lake Bonny receives inflow from Lake Holloway via a pipe.
• Lake Bonny has a lakeside information display located on the north side of the lake.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Bonny

Lake Crago has an average depth of 13.1 feet, with a surface area of 52 acres. Lake Crago serves a drainage basin area of 2,885 acres.

Some facts about Lake Crago:

• Lake Crago was created during the phosphate mining in the 1960s.
• Lake Crago receives inflow from Lakes Gibson and Deeson, and discharges to Lake Parker and the Peace River.
• Lake access is via a canal connecting Lake Parker to Lake Crago.
• Lake Crago contains Hydrilla and is considered a good fishing lake.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Crago

Lake Gibson has an average depth of 6.6 feet, with a surface area of 490 acres. Lake Gibson serves a drainage basin area of 2,502 acres.

Some facts about Lake Gibson:

• Lake Gibson is a colored (tannic acid) lake receiving drainage from the southern reaches of the Green Swamp.
• Lake Gibson has the highest water quality of City of Lakeland lakes, however ongoing development within the watershed may impact lake conservation.
• Mayflies, which require excellent water quality for survival, emerge from the lake in the spring, and can be observed on buildings and lights near the lake.
• There is a county park and boat ramp on southeast shore of the lake. Recreational activities include fishing and boating.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Gibson

Lake Hollingsworth has an average depth of 3.9 feet, with a surface area of 356 acres. Lake Hollingsworth serves a drainage basin area of 1,647 acres which includes the Lake Morton and Lake Horney watersheds.

Facts about Lake Hollingsworth:

• Lake Hollingsworth is one of the most popular recreational lakes in Polk County. On average, over 2,000 people per day use the lake and shoreline for recreation.
• Grass carp have been introduced to control hydrilla.
• The lake experiences high bacteria counts, which restricts lake use in the winter.
• Fifty seven stormwater outfall pipes discharge into the lake.
• The City recently completed restoring the lake profile through hydraulic dredging of the organic sediment deposits.
• A park and a boat ramp are located on the southwest shore.
• The Lake has been stocked with Sunshine Bass.
• Recreational activities include fishing, boating with appropriate permits, picnicking, and a walking path.
• Lake Hollingsworth has lakeside information displays located on the north and south sides of the lake.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Hollingsworth

Lake Holloway has an average depth of 6.6 feet, with a surface area of 24 acres. Lake Holloway serves a drainage basin area of 299 acres. 

Lake Holloway has extensive plant beds of Hydrilla, Southern Naiad, and Coontail. Grass carp were introduced in 1995 and 1997 for Hydrilla control; the dense beds keep the water crystal clear. Recreational activities include fishing and boating with appropriate permits.

Lake Horney has an average depth of 3.9 feet, with a surface area of 7 acres. Lake Horney serves a drainage basin area of 267 acres.

Lake Horney serves a drainage basin area of 1,084.56 sq. km (266.76 acres).

• Lake Horney was created from a willow wetland in the 1950's.
• It receives inflow from Lake Morton and discharges into Lake Hollingsworth.
• Grass carp and herbicides have been used in attempts to control Hydrilla.
• Recreational activities include fishing with appropriate permits

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Horney

Lake Hunter has an average depth of 5.6 feet, with a surface area of 93 acres. Lake Horney serves a drainage basin area of 731 acres which includes the Lake Beulah and Lake Wire watersheds.

Lake Hunter receives inflow from Lakes Wire and Beulah. Some other facts about Lake Hunter include:

• Grass carp were introduced to control Hydrilla in the 1980s.
• A drawdown was attempted in 1983-1984 for soft sediment consolidation and removal.
• Extensive shoreline re-vegetation and control structure modifications were completed in 1992-1993.
• A new park and boat ramp was opened in 1997.
• Recreational activities include fishing and boating with appropriate permits and a walking path/bike path that encircles the lake.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Hunter 

Lake John has an average depth of 9.2 feet, with a surface area of 97 acres. Lake Horney serves a drainage basin area of 1,373 acres.

Facts about Lake John:

• Lake John was created during phosphate mining in the 1950s.
• Grass carp have been introduced to control hydrilla.
• Peterson Park on the southwest shore has facilities for boating, fishing and picnicking.
• A City owned golf course (Cleveland Heights) is located on the north and west shore of the lake.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake John

Lake Mirror has an average depth of 8.9 feet, with a surface area of 18 acres. Lake Mirror serves a drainage basin area of 89 acres.

Lake Mirror serves a drainage basin area of 1,270.71 sq. km (313.69 acres).

• Lake Mirror discharges to Lake Parker through a piped conveyance.
• Spatterdock or Yellow Cowlily was planted in 1989 to replace the undesirable plants that infested the shoreline.
• An amphitheater was constructed in 1999 on the south side of the lake and Hollis Gardens was completed in Summer 2000.
• The concrete capped structure that protrudes into Lake Mirror from the north shore served to separate the inflow and discharge waters at the City's old power plant that preceded the Larsen and McIntosh plants.
• Recreational activities include a walking path.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Mirror

Lake Morton has an average depth of 11.8 feet, with a surface area of 40 acres. Lake Morton serves a drainage basin area of 143 acres.

Facts about Lake Morton:

• Lake Morton is located in the heart of downtown Lakeland and is a designated bird sanctuary - boating and hook and line fishing are prohibited due to the presence of large numbers of domestic waterfowl.
• The presence and feeding of waterfowl can constitute a significant source of nutrient and bacteria loading to lakes.
• The lakeshore is the site of several outdoor events throughout the year.
• Lake Morton discharges to Lake Horney and Hollingsworth.
• Recreational activities include picnicking and walking.
• Lake Morton has a lakeside information display located on the lakefront.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Morton

Lake Parker has an average depth of 5.2 feet, with a surface area of 2,185 acres. Lake Parker serves a drainage basin area of 13,674 acres.

Facts about Lake Parker:

• Lake Parker is the largest lake in the City of Lakeland.
• Phosphate was mined along the north shore of the lake.
• Lake Parker receives water from Lakes Mirror, Crago, Bonny, and Garden.
• Lake Parker outflows to Saddle Creek and the Peace River.
• The lake has 3 parks, 3 public boat ramps and 2 fishing piers.
• Herbicides are used to control hydrilla.
• Recreational activities include fishing and boating with appropriate permits, picnic areas, and a walking path.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Parker

Lake Somerset has an average depth of 7.9 feet, with a surface area of 48 acres. Lake Somerset serves a drainage basin area of 2,722 acres - this includes Lake Bentley and Lake John watersheds.

Facts about Lake Somerset:

• Lake Somerset was created during phosphate mining in the 1950s.
• The lake is connected to Lake John by a culvert under New Jersey Road.
• Lake Somerset receives water from Lake Bentley and discharges via Stahl Canal to Banana Lake, Lake Hancock, and the Peace River.
• There is a public boat ramp. Recreational activites include fishing and boating with appropriate permits.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Somerset

Lake Wire has an average depth of 10.8 feet, with a surface area of 22 acres. Lake Wire serves a drainage basin area of 106 acres.

Facts about Lake Wire:

• Lake Wire outflows to Lake Hunter.
• Grass carp and mechanical harvesting are used to control hydrilla.
• Hydrilla beds keep water clear and attract migratory waterfowl in winter.
• Recreational activites include fishing with appropriate permits and a walking path around the lake.
• Assessment and remediation of past metal contamination is ongoing.

Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Wire