Lake Hollingsworth
Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Hollingsworth
Overview of Lake Hollingsworth
Lake Hollingsworth has an average depth of 3.6 ft, with a surface area of 358.15 acres. Lake Hollingsworth serves a drainage basin area of 1,647.49 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.
Click here for a bathymetric map of Lake Hollingsworth
Current Projects for Lake Hollingsworth
Lake Hollingsworth Dredging Project
Dredging was suspended on March 5, 2001 due to the extreme low water levels in the lake. Two years of extreme drought combined with the water loss associated with the dredging process resulted in record low water elevations in Lake Hollingsworth. Normal water levels have returned to the lake this summer. To date, approximately 75% of the dredging volume has been removed from the Lake. The City of Lakeland is planning to resume dredging in the future. In the meantime, several aquatic plant management projects are underway. The University of Florida is studying the environmental requirements of several species of submerged plants to determine if it is feasible to sustain a grass bed community in the lake. In addition, City crews are planting trees and emergent aquatic plants to enhance fish and wildlife habitat.
Buckingham Wetland
A drained wetland on the south side of the lake is being evaluated for storing and treating runoff from surrounding neighborhoods. The wetland was previously drained by a canal, and is in poor condition. The project would restore the wetland while treating stormwater prior to its discharge into Lake Hollingsworth. Also, the project will alleviate flooding in the Buckingham-Easton area.
Lake Hollingsworth Westside Stormwater Treatment Plan
A conceptual plan will be developed to treat the stormwater runoff from four sub-basins comprising 217 acres located on the west side of the lake and east of South Florida Avenue. A public workshop was held in 2004 to present and receive public comments on the conceptual plan. Once a plan is accepted - final design, permitting and construction will follow.
Southern Landing (Anchor Park)
A treatment wetland is being developed and construction to start in 2004 for Southern Landing (Anchor Park) at Florida Southern College (FSC). The 1.4-acre wetland will treat runoff from a 66-acre sub-basin that includes part of the FSC campus. In addition to treating stormwater, the wetland will serve as a natural laboratory for FSC students. The City of Lakeland is working closely with FSC to develop natural interpretation displays that will be mounted throughout the park.
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Curb Inlet Baskets
Forty-nine (49) inlet baskets have been installed within the Lake Hollingsworth watershed to help reduce pollutant loading to the lake.
The units were installed into existing inlets and manholes avoiding disruptive and expensive construction. A curb inlet basket traps grass, leaves, sediments, paper, bottles, and other trash debris while allowing water to flow down through the storm drains.
To date, approximately 23,000 pounds of debris has been captured - preventing this trash and organic material from reaching the lake!
Nutrient Removal Baffle Box
This is one of a series of projects designed to reduce the amount of nutrients contained in the stormwater runoff that enters the popular 358-acre Lake Hollingsworth. The installation of this collection basin at Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Success Avenue was installed to intercept dirt, leaves and trash flowing from the storm drain pipe of a 25-acre sub-basin area south of McDonald Street. The net annual Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal is eighty percent(80%), based on a 50-micron size particle.
Lakeside Information Boards
An information bulletin board is located on the east side of Lake Hollingsworth, just east of the Lakeland Yacht Club and boat ramp parking area. The purpose of the bulletin board is to provide information to the public on current stormwater management projects happening within the lake's watershed.
This bulletin board is updated periodically by Lakes and Stormwater staff.
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