Article by Marty Proctor
Wednesday afternoon, January 27, the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) unanimously approved the replacement of the Villa City dam on the Palatlakaha Creek. The dam was originally built in 1963. It has been repaired several times and has exceeded its designed life.
The new dam located on the creek northeast of Lake Emma will essentially be a new and modern version of the existing dam. A bid package was created at LCWA expense by Dredging and Marine Consultants (DMC). Four company bidders were present for the bid opening. Carr & Collier, Inc. of Leesburg Florida will be contracted for no more than $917,777 to replace the Villa City dam structure. The construction is expected to be completed within 150 days. The funding was included in this year’s budget.
The next structure up river on the Palatlakaha Creek at Cherry Lake is also slated for update. The LCWA will be taking public input over the next several months to determine the type of structure to put in place.
In other board agenda items, Lake Joanna near Eustis, FL was discussed. The authority is working on a cost-share project with Lake County to construct second-generation baffle boxes and/or excess stormwater storage alternatives. A specific proposal is expected at the February 24 meeting.
The board approved a work order to DMC for the design and permitting of improvements to the existing boat ramps at Hickory Point. The board also continued discussions on the former Calhoun sod farm property near Lake Denham and on the disposition of the entrance tower at Hickory Point Park. Both properties are owned by the LCWA.
