ARTICLE
PUBLIC NOTICE
ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS WILL SOON REMOVE LAKE BONNY PUMPS
LAKELAND, FL (December 2, 2024) - As of December 2, 2024, the elevation of Lake Bonny is 129.74, within its normal elevation range and below the established 10-year flood stage of 130.10 that permits the City and County to operate the City’s emergency electric pump. In coordination with Polk County, FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and with approval from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, pumping operations have been halted. The Army Corps of Engineers will soon start dismantling and removing their pumps.
The City of Lakeland operates an industrial pump at Lake Bonny that assists in moving water to Lake Parker. The pump was initially installed to accommodate 10-year flood events to lower Lake Bonny water levels. The pump was not intended to accommodate a once in a 200-year rain event experienced with Hurricane Milton.
On October 23, 2024, the Army Corps of Engineers began operating two auxiliary pumps at Lake Bonny to help mitigate Lake Bonny flood conditions. The strategy closed a portion of Main Street to run above ground pipe from Lake Bonny to a stormwater outflow on North Gary Road. Soon after the initial installation of the two pumps, the Army Corps of Engineers installed a third auxiliary pump to assist moving water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker. The three auxiliary pumps will be removed by the Army Corp of Engineers. The pump operated by the City of Lakeland will remain in place.