Posted on July 29, 2020
The city of Naples is seeking input from the public about proposed water quality improvements to three stormwater lakes within the city.
One of the lakes lies along 15th Avenue North near Fleischmann Park. The other two lakes, Spring Lake and East Lake, are south of Fifth Avenue South and west of Cambier Park.
Public comment on the proposed improvements to the three lakes will be taken through Aug. 2 at napleslakesimprovement.com.
“There are various improvements that are being proposed that will ultimately improve the pollutant removal efficiency of these ponds,” said Katie Laakkonen, the project manager and environmental specialist for the city of Naples.
“The purpose of these ponds are to not only mitigate flooding, but to treat stormwater and to keep pollutants from traveling downstream to our natural water bodies.”
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Spring Lake stores, provides treatment and directs stormwater to East Lake and later discharges into Naples Bay. The 15th Avenue North Lake discharges stormwater into filter marshes, which later travels to the Gordon River, according to the city.
The city is proposing to dredge all three lakes and remove exotic plants, according to the city’s website on the project.
“In the case of dredging, you’re physically removing those pollutants that accumulate in the sediment and improving the overall health of the lake,” Laakkonen said.
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Native aquatic plants are proposed along a portion of Spring Lake and the 15th Avenue North lake to form a littoral shelf. The plantings help filter out pollutants before they travel out of the lake, according to the city’s website.
Floating islands are being considered for Spring Lake and the 15th Avenue North lake. The wetland plantings in the middle of the lakes also help target nutrients in the water, according to the city’s website.
Nutrient separating “baffle boxes” and submersed aerators are being considered to treat water quality, according to the city’s website.
At East Lake, a wetland treatment area made up of aquatic plants is proposed to help improve water quality, according to the city’s website.
“These projects are necessary for the health of the lake to function as it was originally intended as a stormwater management feature,” said Andrew Holland, an engineering manager with the city’s streets and stormwater department.
Spring Lake was identified as a high-priority lake in the city’s lakes management master plan, Holland said.
The 15th Avenue North lake and East Lake are on city property, Holland said.
Design of the project is 30% complete, Laakkonen said. The proposed improvements will be evaluated on costs, benefits and feedback from the public, Laakkonen said.
Plans for the three lakes will eventually be presented to the Naples City Council. The earliest construction will start is likely summer 2021, Laakkonen said.
Source: naplesnews
