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Lutz

No ideal lake level emerges

People who live near four connected lakes differ on what Swiftmud should decide.

By BILL COATS
Published August 19, 2005

LUTZ - If the government begins controlling water levels on a quartet of lakes, what levels should it set? Should they be low enough to keep the lowest lawns from getting muddy? Or high enough to quench the thirst of the farthest cypress trees?

Such arguments drew more than 50 residents around Lakes Virginia, Allen, Harvey and Joy to a meeting this week that ended inconclusively.

Hillsborough County had proposed installing $520,000 in outfall structures on Lakes Virginia and Allen to manage the levels of the four lakes, which are connected and clustered north of Lutz-Lake Fern Road and east of Sunlake Boulevard.

For months, residents around Lake Virginia have lobbied government officials for high levels. They want to protect the health of cypress swamps, which filter out pollution around a lake's perimeter.

So Bob Gordon, director of the county's public works department, came to Tuesday night's meeting at Martinez Middle School with assurance.

"Trust me," Gordon said. "We're not here to drain your lakes. That's the last thing we want to do."

Later, he added, "You're going to get lake levels that you've not had before."

But that alarmed residents along Lake Allen, where some of the older homes sit on low ground in the midst of cypress trees. They argued that the lakes' current height, around 611/2 feet above sea level, is flooding their lawns. Officials consider that level to be environmentally healthy.

The decision about lake levels ultimately lies with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which is carrying out a state mandate to set minimum levels that will be enforced at all of the area's lakes.

Swiftmud scientist Doug Leeper said final recommendations for the four lakes in Lutz are to go before Swiftmud's board by November, after a public workshop. Apparently, the neighbors' arguments will resume there.

Gordon said he would postpone any county work on the outfall structures until Swiftmud formally sets the lake levels.

Meanwhile, the lake residents agreed on only one point Tuesday: new outfall structures could be useless if surrounding creeks and canals become clogged with debris.

"Even with the controversy, it's a good thing," said Ted Gibson of Lake Allen. "But it has to go hand and glove with good maintenance to keep these canals clean."

Bill Coats can be reached at coats@sptimes.com or 813 269-5309.

[Last modified August 18, 2005, 11:46:08]