History Of Lake Sumter

[CaptainHugo]

Back about the turn of the Century, my wife and I used to go for Sunday afternoon drives down to Lake Miona. The surrounding countryside was mostly cow pastures, mixed with homes and farms that had been there for decades. Highway 466 was a two-lane road. A few years later, The Villages invasion was taking shape, and when driving on 466 at night, you could see areas on the south side of 466 lit up by lights of backhoes, digging up the cow pastures to make large holes in the ground. One by one, the cow pastures were converted into holes in the ground, that slowly started filling with water. Today, this massive conversion of cow pasture to holes filled with water is called Lake Sumter. Lately, Villagers have been complaining about their ponds going dry; Folks, they are all retention ponds, some with liners to retain water, but a retention pond is designed to collect large amounts of rainwater, and allow it to drain as gravity sees fit. Lake Sumter is nothing more than a very large retention pond that The Villages somehow manages to keep full of water. A large sinkhole could turn this lake back into a large cow pasture free of grass.

[looneycat]

yes, we know it is man made. thanks

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What is the ground water table level in this area. In many parts of
Florida you can't dig down more then ten feet without hitting water. That's why there are very few basements.

Are any of these lakes or ponds supplied by ground water?

[RickeyD]

Back about the turn of the Century, my wife and I used to go for Sunday afternoon drives down to Lake Miona. The surrounding countryside was mostly cow pastures, mixed with homes and farms that had been there for decades. Highway 466 was a two-lane road. A few years later, The Villages invasion was taking shape, and when driving on 466 at night, you could see areas on the south side of 466 lit up by lights of backhoes, digging up the cow pastures to make large holes in the ground. One by one, the cow pastures were converted into holes in the ground, that slowly started filling with water. Today, this massive conversion of cow pasture to holes filled with water is called Lake Sumter. Lately, Villagers have been complaining about their ponds going dry; Folks, they are all retention ponds, some with liners to retain water, but a retention pond is designed to collect large amounts of rainwater, and allow it to drain as gravity sees fit. Lake Sumter is nothing more than a very large retention pond that The Villages somehow manages to keep full of water. A large sinkhole could turn this lake back into a large cow pasture free of grass.


Yes, progress happens. Plenty of smart people here already know what you said. I'm trying to figure out what your point is...

[Arctic Fox]

Back about the turn of the Century, my wife and I used to go for Sunday afternoon drives down to Lake Miona. The surrounding countryside was mostly cow pastures, mixed with homes and farms that had been there for decades. Highway 466 was a two-lane road. A few years later, The Villages invasion was taking shape, and when driving on 466 at night, you could see areas on the south side of 466 lit up by lights of backhoes, digging up the cow pastures to make large holes in the ground. One by one, the cow pastures were converted into holes in the ground, that slowly started filling with water. Today, this massive conversion of cow pasture to holes filled with water is called Lake Sumter. Lately, Villagers have been complaining about their ponds going dry; Folks, they are all retention ponds, some with liners to retain water, but a retention pond is designed to collect large amounts of rainwater, and allow it to drain as gravity sees fit. Lake Sumter is nothing more than a very large retention pond that The Villages somehow manages to keep full of water. A large sinkhole could turn this lake back into a large cow pasture free of grass.

Yes, progress happens. Plenty of smart people here already know what you said. I'm trying to figure out what your point is...

Well I found it interesting - maybe I'm not smart...

Thank you Captain Hugo

[manaboutown]

Back about the turn of the Century, my wife and I used to go for Sunday afternoon drives down to Lake Miona. The surrounding countryside was mostly cow pastures, mixed with homes and farms that had been there for decades. Highway 466 was a two-lane road. A few years later, The Villages invasion was taking shape, and when driving on 466 at night, you could see areas on the south side of 466 lit up by lights of backhoes, digging up the cow pastures to make large holes in the ground. One by one, the cow pastures were converted into holes in the ground, that slowly started filling with water. Today, this massive conversion of cow pasture to holes filled with water is called Lake Sumter. Lately, Villagers have been complaining about their ponds going dry; Folks, they are all retention ponds, some with liners to retain water, but a retention pond is designed to collect large amounts of rainwater, and allow it to drain as gravity sees fit. Lake Sumter is nothing more than a very large retention pond that The Villages somehow manages to keep full of water. A large sinkhole could turn this lake back into a large cow pasture free of grass.

This is good historical information. Thank you!

[JoMar]

I believe Lake Sumter was originally an abandoned mine so expansion and filling was pretty easy.

[outlaw]

What is the ground water table level in this area. In many parts of
Florida you can't dig down more then ten feet without hitting water. That's why there are very few basements.

Are any of these lakes or ponds supplied by ground water?

I thought there were very few basements because of the frost line/depth.

[RickeyD]

The humidity levels would make a basement here a mold superstore.

[rubicon]

Captain Hugo thank you for this information. Indeed the construction of The villages is a double edged sword.

[bagboy]

I changed the channel after "the Villages invasion" part.

[CaptainHugo]

In South Florida you hit water at about seven feet in the average residential area. Up here, (Central Florida) in my back yard I would hit water at no less that 60 ft, and I am about two miles from The Villages as the crow flies. You can't just dig a hole in the ground and have yourself a lake/pond.

[DonH57]

And I told all those bus tourists it was formed by a meteor. Who knew?

[dbussone]

And I told all those bus tourists it was formed by a meteor. Who knew?


Wow. I really thought that was possible but could not prove it. Who knew? You did! All that time I spent down the drain. ::jester::

[dewilson58]

And where is Jimmy Hoffa??

[dbussone]

And where is Jimmy Hoffa??


I heard he is under the bridge that will be repaired soon.

[graciegirl]

Some folks suffer from road rage. I have Villages rage. I think this is the best planned place in the universe for folks of a certain age. I never dreamed that I would be so busy and happy and find so many friends here.


It makes me want to bite when someone waltzes in and uses words like "village invasion".


I know he is just jealous. Living two miles from all the fun is hard on him.


If it weren't for super folks with a witty comeback on this forum I would blow my top. Love your wit, gentlemen and gentleladies.


My sincere wishes for every good thing for y'all in the coming week and for the rest of your stay here in lower paradise.


Hugs from Gracie.

[spring_chicken]

In South Florida you hit water at about seven feet in the average residential area. Up here, (Central Florida) in my back yard I would hit water at no less that 60 ft, and I am about two miles from The Villages as the crow flies. You can't just dig a hole in the ground and have yourself a lake/pond.

Still don't get the point. Did anyone move to the villages thinking they could dig a hole in their backyard and have a pond? Congrats for living 2 miles outside the villages, if that's your thing. Just wondering why you want to come on here to "educate" on your first post when you don't even live here? Don't think anyone moved here planning a catfish farm in their backyard. just sayin...

[Polar Bear]

How about the New York invasion? Or the Chicago invasion? Etc. etc. ad nauseum. Progress happens.

Drainage facilities are required of all new developments. As is compensation for environmental impacts.

I agree with several others regarding the OP...what is the point?

[tomwed]

I thought Lake Sumter use to be called Fort Sumter, famous for two maritime battles during the Civil War. Probably too small, I'll look into it.

[fishon]

Older maps of the area label it as Cherry Lake.

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/surveyingandmapping/geomap/sumt_c.pdf

Many maps dated from 1800's to 1900 didn't seem to find it significant enough to add.

I think it looks nice.
May I guess that it is a tidied up mud hole?

[RickeyD]

I thought Lake Sumter use to be called Fort Sumter, famous for two maritime battles during the Civil War. Probably too small, I'll look into it.


Don't you mean Sumpter ?

[RickeyD]

I thought Lake Sumter use to be called Fort Sumter, famous for two maritime battles during the Civil War. Probably too small, I'll look into it.


...

[ureout]

I believe Lake Sumter was originally an abandoned mine so expansion and filling was pretty easy.

I beiieve it was actually farm land and Lake Sumter was dug out.....when you travel south on Morse Blvd and see the higher elevations including golf courses....that is where all the dirt was moved to....that area used to be as flat as the rest of Fla.

[RickeyD]

I think Lake Sumter is fine just the way it is. Who cares how it was formed or who it's parents were. It maintains an acceptable level of water and is very pleasant to look at. Most certainly gives the town square that coastal look and feel.

[Taltarzac725]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Villages,_Florida

This needs some work!

[graciegirl]

There is no Pee in Lake Sumter, but surrounding it in all directions are miles and miles of homes and golf courses and a huge and beautifully planned adult community, very well maintained and almost perfect.


What are you Captain of, Hugo? You need to join some of the anti-Morse groups that exist. Are you jealous of the fact that ordinary people worked very hard and risked their own money and success, time and time again, without government assistance and ultimately became that horrible word, RICH?


People WOULD have moved to Florida ANYWAY and bought or built in areas that abound that had no deed restrictions, no zoning and there would be well maintained homes next to poorly maintained homes.


They would have done it in the usual way and had public pools and public golf courses and they would have enjoyed them, nothing wrong with that.


Don't feel left out, you can still move here and be part of the satisfied chorus.

[Jima64]

I beiieve it was actually farm land and Lake Sumter was dug out.....when you travel south on Morse Blvd and see the higher elevations including golf courses....that is where all the dirt was moved to....that area used to be as flat as the rest of Fla.

Sorry but there are plenty of areas of Florida with rolling hills. Not everything is flat.

[Jima64]

I thought there were very few basements because of the frost line/depth.

Come on how is that affecting basement location in a warm climate like most of Florida.

[dewilson58]

There is no Pee in Lake Sumter, but surrounding it in all directions are miles and miles of homes and golf courses and a huge and beautifully planned adult community, very well maintained and almost perfect.


What are you Captain of, Hugo? You need to join some of the anti-Morse groups that exist. Are you jealous of the fact that ordinary people worked very hard and risked their own money and success, time and time again, without government assistance and ultimately became that horrible word, RICH?


People WOULD have moved to Florida ANYWAY and bought or built in areas that abound that had no deed restrictions, no zoning and there would be well maintained homes next to poorly maintained homes.


They would have done it in the usual way and had public pools and public golf courses and they would have enjoyed them, nothing wrong with that.


Don't feel left out, you can still move here and be part of the satisfied chorus.


Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll, I do have to confess. I was parked "on the bridge" with my bride, watching the sunset, enjoying some music and a cocktail. I did not plan ahead appropriately, and well, I had to go. So, let's just say, there is Pee in Lake Sumter.



:clap2:

[dbussone]

Sorry but there are plenty of areas of Florida with rolling hills. Not everything is flat.


And central FL, especially the Ocala area, is known for those rolling hills.

[RickeyD]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll, I do have to confess. I was parked "on the bridge" with my bride, watching the sunset, enjoying some music and a cocktail. I did not plan ahead appropriately, and well, I had to go. So, let's just say, there is Pee in Lake Sumter.







:clap2:


Hope your bride didn't partake and drove you home.

[dewilson58]

Hope your bride didn't partake and drove you home.


:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[twoplanekid]

Not much showing on a 1979 aeronautical chart or the 1939 chart

[twoplanekid]

And from a 1935 chart

[graciegirl]

Captain Hugo, the OP, has posted twice and sailed off into the sunset.


We are all still here, reading this thread and many of us are enjoying the pretty views around Lake Sumter. I don't know what the ocean going vessels would do without the lighthouse.


I love the whimsy, the careful planning of vistas that please my eye and sometimes get captured on my canvases. I love just about everything about this place.


Sign me


A SATISFIED CUSTOMER.

[RickeyD]

Captain Hugo, the OP, has posted twice and sailed off into the sunset.


We are all still here, reading this thread and many of us are enjoying the pretty views around Lake Sumter. I don't know what the ocean going vessels would do without the lighthouse.


I love the whimsy, the careful planning of vistas that please my eye and sometimes get captured on my canvases. I love just about everything about this place.


Sign me


A SATISFIED CUSTOMER.


Or like his counterpart Captain Nemo he may have submerged under Lake Sumter never to return again.

[DonH57]

Under Lake Sumter may be a UFO base for all we know.

[RickeyD]

Under Lake Sumter may be a UFO base for all we know.


Or the Kool Aid manufacturing facility.

[justjim]

It could be a legend but I was told that The Villages Developer orginally attempted to connect Lake Minoa, Black Lake and what is now called Lake Sumter but couldn't get permits to do so. Why he couldn't get a permit I guess was environmental.

There would be considerable water run off from Sumter Landing so "accommodations" for this water run off had to be made. What was done is really very nice IMHO.

[jblum315]

Don't you mean Sumpter ?

There is no "p" in Sumter

[jblum315]

That Wikipedia article is very inaccurate and should be corrected

[Taltarzac725]

That Wikipedia article is very inaccurate and should be corrected

I did say it needs a lot of work. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Villages,_Florida

[virgind]

Kind of like the insurance commercial ( Everybody knows that)