Lake Wire
Polk County Water Atlas Information for Lake Wire
Overview of Lake Wire
Lake Wire has an average depth of 3.3 m (10.6 ft), with a surface area of 89.03 sq. km (21.98 acres). Lake Wire serves a drainage basin area of 433.01 sq. km (106.21 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.
Current Projects for Lake Wire
Lake Wire Heavy Metals Removal Project
Florida Tile, under guidance of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is conducting a corrective action project along the southwest shore of Lake Wire. Florida Tile had manufactured ceramic tile at the present location since 1954. The plant sent treated process water to the lake until 1974. By 1994, all stormwater discharge from the plant property to Lake Wire had stopped. Lead and other metals from plant discharge and urban runoff have built up in lake sediment.
Florida Tile is in the process of removing mud and sediment along the shoreline and from the lake bottom in the southwest portion of Lake Wire and replacing it with clean fill. This effort will remove over 80% of the lead from lake sediments. Safety guidelines have been in place to ensure that workers and the public are protected during the cleanup. This area has also been replanted with vegetation and monitoring of heavy metal levels is ongoing.
|
