Lake Notes… Water Advisor Board Meeting
By Lionel Robbins
Lake Holden
Approximate Volume: 1,177,246,903 gallons
Water Quality Sampling Locations: 15
Number of Water Quality samples taken: 44,145 from 7/1/1959 to 7/23/2019
Secchi Depth: Range from .3 ft. in 1978 to 14.2 ft on 11/4/2012
Maximum Depth: 38 feet.
Mean Depth: 14.0 feet
Acres: 265
Here are some of the topics the board has covered in 2019.
39th Street/FDOT Pond – The tropical storms brought large amounts of water into the pond, and in the water, large amounts of sediment that washed over the weir and into the Lake. Disturbing photos and videos that were taken by Patrick Gill and used by LHPOA President Tasha Golis to send alarms to FDOT, Orange County Roads & Drainage, Orange County Environmental Protection, I-4 Ultimate, and Senator Linda Stewart. The response was remarkable. The concern led to a special meeting of the WAB that included representatives from the organizations listed above. There were many promises made, many promises kept, yet some are forthcoming. Maybe with some patience, they all will be fulfilled.
43rd Street Pond – The project to raise the control wier is complete. The heightened capacity of the pond will increase the residence time of the stormwater. The lengthened retention of the stormwater allows for more sediment reduction. The result is more sediments in the pond and less in the Lake.
Curb Inlet Baskets – Spearheaded by Bill Allen in 2008-9, the project continues to be a viable method of preventing debris from entering the lake. There are over 115 baskets in stormwater drains around Lake Holden.
Street Sweeping – There are 816.5 curb miles swept annually. The cost is $24,413.35 or $29.90 per curb mile. Street sweeping plays a very effective role in the prevention of pollutants entering the Lake.
Grass Carp – May 9, 2019, the WAB (and your MSTU) stocked four hundred grass carp in Lake Holden. The results of their voracious appetite for hydrilla is not expected to be significant until the summer of 2020. If you THINK you have seen one, or somehow catch one, please take a photo. Please act quickly and return the fish into the water without harm. Please send the photo(s) to a WAB member to be documented by the Orange County Environmental Division (EPD).
MSTU/Budget– The WAB received an updated statement of the MSTU in August. At that time, the balance was $720,558.00. The estimated expensed for 2019 are $147,855.00. Aquatic weed control accounts for a large portion of our budget. Expenditures for chemicals and services total $79,873.00. The plan is the grass carp will reduce that expenditure starting in 2020.
Meeting Notice
2020 WAB meetings are also being held virtually. Contact Lionel Robbins for details.
