Lakeland to harvest invasive aquatic plants from Lake Hollingsworth

LAKELAND — Lakeland will launch a two-month project to reduce dense vegetation across portions of Lake Hollingsworth in June.

The city's Lakes and Stormwater Division will begin an aquatic plant harvesting project June 5 that aims to reduce invasive and nuisance aquatic plants in the lake in an effort to promote plant diversity, improving water flow and water quality.

The first phase of the project will focus on the southern portion of Lake Hollingsworth from Patten Heights Street to Crystal Lake Drive. Lakeland staff will utilize the city's aquatic harvesting machinery and barges to cut through vegetation and transport it to the shore. The harvested vegetation will be transported to a permitted facility for composting.

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City staff will work out of the parking lot on the south side of the lake, near Lake Hollingsworth Drive and Buckingham Avenue. This will result in the temporary closing of three trailer spaces.

Residents should expect to see construction equipment and vehicles periodically entering and leaving the site during the project's operational hours, Mondays to Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city will provide traffic control when vehicles and equipment cross over the Lake Hollingsworth recreational path as needed to ensure the safety of users.

Lakeland has obtained all required permits from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for removal of specific aquatic plans and volume. The project is estimated to cost $25,000 and is funded through the city's Stormwater Utility Fund.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.