Posted on September 2, 2024
NAPLES, Fla. — The city of Naples is preparing to start a major dredging project for the North and South Lakes, aimed at enhancing water quality and flood management. The project will begin in early September and is expected to continue through the summer of 2025.
The North and South Lakes are important for managing stormwater and reducing flooding by channeling water into the Gulf of Mexico. The project’s goal is to remove excess nutrients from the lakes, which contribute to algae blooms. By removing these nutrients, the city wants to ensure cleaner water flows into the Gulf.
The project will also clear organic sediment to maintain stable oxygen levels, promoting healthier plants and fish, while reducing bad smells. It will also deepen the lakes to improve their capacity to retain stormwater.
Larry Rambo, a North Lake resident for 14 years, has dealt with overgrown weeds and algae blooms, and water from the lake reaching his steps after Hurricane Ian. He is looking forward to the improvements.
“We’ve had a few instances of weeds taking over part of the lake and some algae blooms over the years,” Rambo said. “Right now, it’s been fine for the last year or so, but we’re very pleased with the new project. We think it will make the lake much better for a long time.”
Dredging will start at South Lake, along 4th Avenue North, and continue through Spring 2025. Crews will then move to North Lake, along 7th Avenue North, with work expected to wrap up by Summer 2025.
The entire dredging project is expected to take about one year.
For more information, you can visit the city of Naples website.
