Lake Hancock Lake Level Modification and Outfall Treatment Projects

Land purchases in the Lake Hancock area

The District began acquiring property around Lake Hancock as part of the Upper Peace River Corridor Project that seeks to improve linkage to the Green Swamp. These properties may also serve a critical role regarding minimum flows and levels recovery, and water quality enhancement projects for the upper Peace River.

Beginning in 2000, the District and Polk County jointly acquired the Circle B Bar Reserve, consisting of 1,267 acres on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock as part of the corridor project and mitigation for Florida Department of Transportation projects in Polk County. The property contains two of the three inflows to Lake Hancock: Saddle Creek and Banana Creek.

The Old Florida Plantation (OFP) property acquired in 2003 is a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) consisting of approximately 3,347 acres located along the southern and eastern shoreline of Lake Hancock. The approved Development Order for OFP authorizes 4,797 residential development units, a mixture of retail commercial, office space and various recreational amenities. At the time the Governing Board approved the purchase of OFP, it also authorized consideration to surplus portions of the approved DRI not needed for the corridor or other proposed projects.

In 2004, the S & M Saddle Creek property was acquired. The property consists of 213 acres located on the east side of Highway 98 and the west side of Saddle Creek directly opposite of Old Florida Plantation. The P-11 structure that controls the lake level for Lake Hancock is in the northeast corner of this property.

The Nguyen/Coscia property was acquired in 2005. The property consists of 590 acres located along the eastern shore of Lake Hancock contiguous to the northern boundary of OFP. The property had been approved for a rural mixed use development allowing for 391 lots, a restaurant and a marina. The property may serve a vital role in the restoration of Lake Lena Run, that has been altered by mining activities and is one of three major inflows to Lake Hancock.