Levee improvement project planned for Lake Apopka North Shore

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board has approved a contract for work to reconstruct about 4.7 miles of levee on the east side of the Lake Apopka North Shore, between Magnolia Park and Laughlin Road.

“Years of strategic restoration efforts have helped to improve the water quality and natural habitat of Lake Apopka and the North Shore,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “This project will allow our team to complete lake levee improvements, further protecting ongoing restoration work from future storm events.”

During Hurricane Irma in September 2017, high water and wave action along the north shore of Lake Apopka caused a breach in the levee system, allowing water from Lake Apopka to overtop many internal roadways and levees. Even though the breach was repaired, it highlighted the need to reconstruct the remaining portions of the lake-side levee to minimize future breaches.

This levee not only serves as a separator levee between the lake and the North Shore but is also part of the recreational Lake Apopka Loop Trail. Occasionally during large-scale restoration work, portions of recreational trails on the property may be closed or detoured to ensure public safety. As it becomes available, information about any needed recreational closures and detours will be shared online at www.sjrwmd.com/recreation.