LAKELAND (Nov. 1, 2024) – To decrease the water levels at Lake Bonny, the City of Lakeland added an additional pump, provided by the Army Corps of Engineers, to assist in moving water from Lake Bonny to Lake Parker. The initial test was successful and after 24 hours with the pump running, the Army Corps of Engineers increased the pump to 1800 RMPs.

Water levels are dropping faster in Lake Parker than Lake Bonny. This is causing the water level in the Canal Street conveyance ditch to lower in conjunction with Lake Parker. Lake Parker’s drop in water elevation has allowed the City pump to operate at maximum capacity. It was determined after testing the additional pump that the drainage conveyance could accommodate the additional flow.

The City was granted permission to install the temporary pump to help increase flows from Lake Bonny into Lake Parker. The secondary pump can move up to 4,500 gallons of water per minute. Water levels in Lake Parker and the conveyance system that connects to Lake Bonny recently decreased enough to handle the additional input.