Hydrologic considerations in dewatering and refilling Lake Carlton, Orange and Lake Counties, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 76-131
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Abstract

Lake Carlton straddles the line between Lake and Orange Counties in central Florida. The 382-acre (155-hectare) lake is highly eutrophic and subject to virtually perpetual algal blooms. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has proposed to restore the lake to a less eutrophic state by dewatering the lake long enough to allow the muck on its bottom to dry and compact. Lake Carlton would be permanently sealed off from Lake Beauclair which presently serves as a source of nutrient enriched water for Lake Carlton. On the assumption that the seasonal rainfall would be normal, and that the dewatering phase would begin on March 1, the predicted time required to dewater the lake at a pumping rate of 50,000 gallons (190 cubic meters) per minute is 21 days. The average rate of pumping required to maintain the lake in a dewatered condition is computed to be 2,400 gallons (9.08 cubic meters) per minute. If pumping is ended May 31, the predicted altitude to which the lake would recover by October 31 as a result of net natural input is 56.2 feet (17.1 meters) above sea level. Raising the lake level to 63 feet (19.2 meters) above sea level by October 31 would require that the net natural input be supplemented at an average rate of about 4,860 gallons (18.4 cubic meters) per minute between May 31 and October 31.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrologic considerations in dewatering and refilling Lake Carlton, Orange and Lake Counties, Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 76-131
DOI 10.3133/wri76131
Year Published 1977
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description iv, 31 p.
Country United States
State Florida
County Lake County, Orange County
Other Geospatial Lake Carlton
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