BARTOW, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2024) – Due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton, water levels in the Peace River watershed and specifically, Lake Hancock, have risen to emergency levels. In coordination with the County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) and the City of Bartow are working diligently to reduce the downstream impacts by carefully controlling the release of water from Lake Hancock and monitoring the water levels at various upstream and downstream gauges.
The controlled releases are necessary to protect the structural integrity of the District’s water conservation structure on the south side of the lake. Without the controlled releases, the rapidly rising water would compromise the ability to prevent large uncontrolled releases of water going over and around the structure into Saddle Creek and the Peace River near Bartow, which is already at flood stage.
Additionally, water is coming into the Peace River from central and eastern areas of the county via the Peace Creek Drainage Canal. The convergence of water coming from both northwest Polk (through Lake Hancock) and central/eastern Polk (through the Peace Creek Canal) has created the need for multi-agency response to address potential flooding.
The County, the District and the City, along with various other partners, are working collaboratively to address the potential flooding – including sharing resources and expertise – to ensure public safety and minimize flood risks.
