Client
Polk County Board of County Commissioners ______

Location
Polk County, Florida
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Key BCI Staff
Richard M. Powers, PG, CPG
Walter Reigner, PE, CPESC
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Project Costs
Construction: $1.5 million
Engineering: $180,000
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Start Date
1990
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Completion Date
1992

Scope

The Banana Lake Feasibility Study and Restoration was the first full lake  restoration project completed in Florida. The project required the assessment of the feasibility of lake restoration and recommendation of restoration means.  Based on the initial engineering study, the decision was made to perform hydraulic dredging restoration.

BCI began by completing surface and groundwater studies to define the potential for adverse impacts. The balance of the restoration project required determination of water circulation and discharge requirements, water quality assurance standards, equipment specification, and design and cost estimates. In addition, laboratory testing, sampling and toxic substance determination was required. To finalize the project, document preparation and agency coordination was required.

Upon completion, one million cubic yards, accounting for 100 percent of the organic muck and silt, was removed and the lake depth was increased by approximately 2.5 feet.