The May 2013 Bulletin includes a letter to the Editor of the POA Bulletin by Jack Weber:
"Your recent article in the latest bulletin
concerning Lake Paradise said because of
possible flooding it is hard to determine
if this site can be updated. Yes, it would be
expensive, but in order to make it look like
all our other beautiful surroundings, I think it
would take some dredging and deep enough
so that people who live in the area would not
have a worry. As I remember, the biggest
rains that we have had over the years have
not actually gone into homes but just close. I
may be wrong, but this is the way I remember it.
If this lake was dredged and then liner
protection like they have done in other
places, then I feel this could be accomplished.
If you think about it, many new people, and even
people who live south of here sometime for one
reason or another pass this location. With all the
beautiful areas that we have here in The Villages,
it is a shame that we have this [a dry lake bed]
to look forward to each year. Thank you. Jack Weber"
The POA Bulletin editor responded:
"Editor’s Note: Your comments have been
raised and discussed at several AAC meetings. The net of
the discussions is that we would all like to see all of our
water features filled to the high water mark at all times.
Unfortunately, even if we had the water to do
that, (which we don’t), it would defeat their
function of storm water control. While Lake
Paradise has not had flooding in recent years,
we have not artificially raised the level of the
water in Lake Paradise during the dry season
either. It is important that there be capacity in
the lake so that when the rainy season arrives
the lake can handle whatever level of rainfall
we receive. Dredging the lake and lining the
dredged area would not affect the appearance
of the shoreline and the island around the
“waterfall”, they would still be dry during
the drought periods. These unlined areas
would still be needed if we are to have any
capacity for significant runoff during the
rainy season.
In Florida we must deal with a dry season
and a rainy season – that’s nature. Almost all
of the lined ponds here in The Villages have
substantial areas above the level of the liners
to assure sufficient percolation into the
ground to dispose of rain water to allow capacity
for future rain water runoff. Dredging
water features – making them deeper – and
lining them may increase the likelihood of
subsurface sinkhole activity as a result of less
groundcover over the lime rock and the increased
concentration of weight in that area.
In addition, such dredging activity would require
substantial deviation from the existing
storm water management plan and there are
indications that approval of such changes
would be highly unlikely from the Southwest
Florida Water Management District."
The Editor's response sounds very scientific and knowing with regard to a likely response by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
I agree that the Southwest Florida Water Management District would not "likely approve" a change to the hydrology of Paradise Lake.
The following graphics taken from the St. Johns River Water Management District site reveal that St. Johns River Water Management District is responsible for Paradise Lake and
not the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
This brings to question the credibility of the entire analysis by the POA Editor of the hydrological effects of dredging and lining the lake to improve its water retention.
This is the entire SJRWMD:
This is the region including Paradise Lake:
I realize that this post could be considered "political" and therefore, not allowed. I prefer to think of it as a comment on the bias of the POA. Note, I have not made any statement for or against making improvements to Paradise Lake.
Jerry Lester