Public Access Lakes - University of South Florida...Fair 4x4 vehicle recommended, less than optimal launching depth, ramp surface may be rough, minimal parking area ... 18 Map 11

Public Access Lakes Directory of Ramps and Canals

Polk County Board of County Commissioners Parks and Natural Resources Division

Updated: Spring 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 1 DISCLAIMERS .............................................................................................................................. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 2 LAKES LISTED IN THIS DIRECTORY ...................................................................................... 3 DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 4 BOAT RAMP RATING SYSTEM ................................................................................................ 5 BOTTOM CONTOUR MAPS ....................................................................................................... 6 GENERALIZED MAP OF POLK COUNTY ................................................................................ 7 LAKE REGION LAKES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT LAKES MAP ..................................... 32 WINTER HAVEN CHAIN OF LAKES MAP ............................................................................. 33 SADDLE CREEK PARK MAP ................................................................................................... 34 LAKELAND LAKES ....................................................................................................................35 CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON POLK LAKES .................................. 36

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DISCLAIMERS

This directory contains locations of public access lakes in Polk County. Ramps and canals

are owned by local, state, and private entities. Therefore, the hours of operation, fees, and maintenance will vary.

This directory should not be considered an all-inclusive document and is for information

only. Status of public access may have changed since publication.

Ramp and canal conditions will vary due to water levels. Use them at your own risk.

Polk County Board of County Commissioners assumes no responsibility for the condition of ramps other than their own.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

These agencies provided information used in this directory:

City of Lakeland City of Winter Haven

Lake Region Lakes Management District Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Southwest Florida Water Management District U.S. Geological Survey

LAKES LISTED IN THE DIRECTORY

Click on the name of the lake below to view its report:

Agnes Echo Little Agnes Parker

Alfred Elbert Little Bonny Pierce

Annie Eloise (WHCL) Little Crooked Reedy

Arbuckle Eva Little Eagle Rochelle (WHCL)

Ariana Fannie (WHCL) Little Elbert Rosalie

Banana Ft Meade Pits Little Eloise Roy (WHCL)

Blue Garfield Little Hamilton Saddle Creek Park

Bonny Gibson Little Winterset Sears

Buckeye Grassy Lulu (WHCL) Shipp (WHCL)

Buffum Haines (WHCL) Mariam Silver

Cannon Hamilton Mariana Smart (WHCL)

Carter Road X Pit Hancock Marie Somerset

Carter Road Y Pit Hartridge (WHCL) Marion Spring (WHCL)

Clinch Hatchineha (KWCL) Martha Summit (WHCL)

Confusion Hollingsworth Mattie Surveyors

Conine (WHCL) Howard (WHCL) Maude Swoope

Crago Hunter May (WHCL) Tennessee

Crooked Idyl McLeod Thomas

Crystal Idylwild (WHCL) Menzie Tiger

Daisy Jessie (WHCL) Middle Hamilton Tracy

Davenport John Mirror (WHCL) Twin East

Deer Juliana Mudd Twin West

Deeson Lena Ned Wailes

Eagle Link Otis Weohyakapka

Easy Livingston Pansy Winterset (WHCL)

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http://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_AGNES.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ECHO.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_AGNES.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_PARKER_LAKELAND.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ALFRED.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ELBERT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_BONNY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_PIERCE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ANNIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ELOISE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_CROOKED.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_REEDY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ARBUCKLE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_EVA_HC.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_EAGLE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ROCHELLE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ARIANA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_FANNIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_ELBERT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ROSALIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_BANANA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_FT_MEADE_PITS.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_ELOISE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_ROY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_BLUE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_GARFIELD.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_HAMILTON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SADDLE_CREEK_PITS.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_BONNY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_GIBSON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LITTLE_WINTERSET.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SEARS.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_BUCKEYE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_GRASSY_EL.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LULU.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SHIPP.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_BUFFUM.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HAINES.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MARIAM.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SILVER_WH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CANNON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HAMILTON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MARIANA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SMART.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CARTER_ROAD_X_PIT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HANCOCK.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MARIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SOMERSET.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CARTER_ROAD_Y_PIT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HARTRIDGE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MARION.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SPRING.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CLINCH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HATCHINEHA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MARTHA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SUMMIT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CONFUSION.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HOLLINGSWORTH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MATTIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SURVEYORS.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CONNIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HOWARD.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MAUDE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_SWOOPE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CRAGO.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_HUNTER.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MAY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_TENNESSEE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CROOKED.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_IDYL.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MCLEOD.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_THOMAS_WH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_CRYSTAL_LAKELAND.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_IDYLWILDhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MENZIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_TIGER.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_DAISY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_JESSIE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MIDDLE_HAMILTON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_TRACY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_DAVENPORT.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_JOHN.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MIRROR_WH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_TWIN_LAKES_E.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_DEER_WH.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_JULIANA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_MUDD_PC.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_TWIN_LAKES_Whttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_DEESON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LENA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_NED.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_WAILES.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_EAGLE.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LINK.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_OTIS.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_WEOHYAKAPKA.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_EASY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_LIVINGSTON.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_PANSY.pdfhttp://www.polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/2014_public_lakes_dir_WINTERSET.pdf

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DEFINITIONS

Canal Access Only – lake can only be reached by a canal. Chain of Lakes – if checked, this lake is part of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. FWC – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lake Depth – lake depth varies depending on site of measurement and is affected by high and low lake levels. Lake Type –

Landlocked – no inflow or outflow on the lake. Inflow –some type on inflow into the lake, such as a stream or a ditch. Outflow – some type of outflow from the lake, such as a stream or a ditch. Inflow & Outflow – both inflow and outflow for the lake.

Lat/Lon – latitude / longitude for the approximate center of the lake. Ramp Checked – month and year that the ramp was rated. Ramp Directory Map Page – refers to the maps on pages 7-31 in this directory which provide a general location of the lake within the county. Ramp Maint. Entity – party responsible for maintaining the boat ramp. Ramp Rating – definitions for the ramp ratings. Sport Fisheries and Rated by – rating of sport fishing in a particular lake and who conducted it. S-T-R – stands for Section-Township-Range used on DOT maps. Surface Area – historical surface area value, in acres, that will vary as lake levels change. WHCL –Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Vessel Information – restrictions of vessel size or type for a lake.

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BOAT RAMP RATING SYSTEM This Rating System was developed to give boaters an idea of ramp conditions, which are always subject to change due to high or low waters or other unknown factors. It is possible that ramps have been upgraded as well, and may be in better condition than this directory reports. It is very important to inspect the ramp visually to confirm the condition. FORMAT: (1) Relative Rating (2) (Problem Characteristics) (3) Construction

(1) Relative Rating Scale

Rating Generalized Meaning Excellent 4x4 vehicle not necessary, optimal launching depth, generally smooth

surface, good parking Good 4x4 vehicle not generally necessary, good launching depth, ramp surface

fairly smooth, adequate parking Fair 4x4 vehicle recommended, less than optimal launching depth, ramp

surface may be rough, minimal parking area Poor 4x4 vehicle needed, poor launching depth, ramp surface rough or uneven,

may have potholes, minimal or no designated parking area (2) Problem Characteristics Rough Surface; Steep Ramp; Shallow Ramp; Drop Off; Potholes; Lack of Parking; Loose Dirt Around Ramp; Fee Required (3) Construction Paved; Sand; Clay; Unpaved (grass or dirt); Geoweb & railroad rock EXAMPLES: Excellent Paved Good Clay Ramp Fair (shallow ramp, loose dirt, potholes) paved Good (steep ramp) paved Good (loose dirt) paved Poor (shallow ramp, drop off, pot holes) unpaved grass or “generic” dirt Fair (lack of parking, pot holes, loose dirt) geoweb & railroad rock Fair (shallow ramp) sand

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BOTTOM CONTOUR MAPS

Bathymetric maps were gathered from projects and reports of the following agencies:

Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division City of Lakeland Lakes Program

University of South Florida Southwest Florida Water Management District

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bromwell & Carrier, Inc.

For lakes that do not have contour maps, outlines have been provided to give the user an idea of the shape of the lake.

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GENERALIZED MAP OF POLK COUNTY

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Map 1

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Map 2

10

Map 3

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Map 4

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Map 5

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Map 6

14

Map 7

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Map 8

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Map 9

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Map 10

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Map 11

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Map 12

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Map 13

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Map 14

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Map 15

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Map 16

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Map 17

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Map 18

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Map 19

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Map 20

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Map 21

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Map 22

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Map 23

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Map 24

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Lake Region Lakes Management District Current Boundary and Lakes

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Winter Haven Chain of Lakes

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Map of Saddle Creek Park

* - Approximate location of some of the boat ramps

AP - Attended Park (trailer) HP - Handicapped fishing pier PG - Play ground BH - Beach P - Picnic area C - Camping T;BA - Tackle & Bait store

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Lakeland Lakes

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Contacts for Additional Information on Polk County lakes

Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division http://www.polk-county.net/

863-534-7377 County Ramps 863-499-2613

Lakes Education / Action Drive (LE/AD)

http://www.le-ad.org/

Lake Region Lakes Management District http://www.lakesmgmtdist.com/

863-293-1441

Lake Watch http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/

City of Lakeland

http://www.lakelandgov.net/ 863-834-8439

City of Winter Haven

http://www.mywinterhaven.com/ 863-291-5881

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Fishing Licenses and other information)

http://www.floridaconservation.org/ Boating Information

http://myfwc.com/RECREATION/boat_index.htm 863-648-3203

Florida Lakes Management Society

http://flms.net/index.html

Florida Department of Environmental Protection http://www.dep.state.fl.us/

813-470-5700

Southwest Florida Water Management District http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/

800-423-1476

South Florida Water Management District http://www.sfwmd.gov/

800-432-2045

2014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_main2014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_webCover PageTable of ContentsLakes Listed in this DirectoryLake Region Lakes Management District Current Boundary and LakesWinter Haven Chain of LakesMap of Saddle Creek ParkLakeland LakesContacts for Additional Information on Polk County lakes

Lake PagesAgnesAlfredAnnieArbuckleArianaBananaBlueBonny (Lkld)BuckeyeBuffumCannonCarter Road X PitCarter Road Y PitClinchConfusionConineCragoCrookedCrystal (Lkld)DaisyDavenportDeer (WH)DeesonEagleEasyEchoElbertEloiseEva (HC)FannieFt Meade PitsGarfieldGibsonGrassy (EL)HainesHamiltonHancockHartridgeHatchinehaHollingsworthHowardHunterIdylIdylwildJessieJohnJulianaLenaLinkLivingstonLtl AgnesLtl BonnyLtl CrookedLtl EagleLtl ElbertLtl EloiseLtl HamiltonLtl WintersetLuluMariamMarianaMarieMarionMarthaMattieMaudeMayMcLeodMdl HamiltonMenzieMirror (WH)Mudd (PC)NedOtisPansyParker (Lkld)PierceReedyRochelleRosalieRoySaddle Creek ParkSearsShippSilver (WH)SmartSomersetSpringSummitSurveyorsSwoopeTennesseeThomas (WH)TigerTracyTwin Lakes ETwin Lakes WWailesWeohyakapkaWinterset

page52014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_webCover PageTable of ContentsLakes Listed in this DirectoryLake Region Lakes Management District Current Boundary and LakesWinter Haven Chain of LakesMap of Saddle Creek ParkLakeland LakesContacts for Additional Information on Polk County lakes


Pages from 2014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_page52014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_main2014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_webCover PageTable of ContentsLakes Listed in this DirectoryLake Region Lakes Management District Current Boundary and LakesWinter Haven Chain of LakesMap of Saddle Creek ParkLakeland LakesContacts for Additional Information on Polk County lakes


page52014_public_access_lake_directory_041614_webCover PageTable of ContentsLakes Listed in this DirectoryLake Region Lakes Management District Current Boundary and LakesWinter Haven Chain of LakesMap of Saddle Creek ParkLakeland LakesContacts for Additional Information on Polk County lakes


Documents

Public Access Lakes - University of South Florida...Fair 4x4 vehicle recommended, less than optimal launching depth, ramp surface may be rough, minimal parking area ... 18 Map 11