Leon County to Get Lake Munson Update

On Tuesday, June 10, the Leon County Commission will receive a status update on the implementation and ongoing efforts related to the Lake Munson Action Plan, as approved by the Board at the October 11, 2022 meeting, and modified at the March 21, 2023 meeting. 

As directed by the Board at the April 9, 2024, meeting, the update is provided one year after conclusion of the drawdown.

The Board will take comment on the update at the meeting which begins at 3:00 p.m.

Drawdown Conclusion and Lake Refill

The drawdown, which began in November 2022, officially concluded on May 17, 2024, and the process of refilling the lake began.  Based on Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommendation, the gates on the dam were incrementally closed to allow the water levels in the lake to slowly rise.  Throughout the refill, the County coordinated with FWC and monitored water levels and conditions in the lake and downstream, as well as potential significant rainfall events.

The update explains that the slow refill process proved beneficial and prevented a shock to the ecosystem.  By gradually raising the water level, the aquatic vegetation in the lake had the opportunity to adapt to the new and changing conditions, and what did not adapt slowly died off.  This slow and methodical refill prevented a total plant kill and subsequent algal bloom.  The slow refill of the lake, in conjunction with the invasive exotic aquatic vegetation management, allowed the native species in the seed bank to begin their reestablishment in the lake.

As the lake began to refill, FWC planned to restock fish in Lake Munson.  Although originally scheduled for fall 2024, the effort was postponed due to low water levels which prevent the safe release of fish and access to the open waters of the lake.  County staff are continuing to coordinate with FWC to reschedule the restocking.

The update concludes that the drawdown was effective in addressing the ecological challenges observed during the summer of 2022, including rapid growth of invasive exotic species and algal blooms.  The process achieved key objectives such as allowing lake bottom sediments to dry, compact, and form a “cap” that helps reduce nutrient recycling.  The gradual refill supported the reestablishment of native vegetation.  Data collected through the Enhanced Monitoring component of the Action Plan indicate continued system stabilization and sediment compaction.