The lock is open today, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next board meeting: Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
The lock is open today, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next board meeting: Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Notice: The Lake Idyl Boat Ramp will be closed Thursday, November 5, for repairs.
Preserving Our Lakes, Sustaining Our LegacyAn independent special district caring for 60 lakes, 21 navigable canals and 20 public boat ramps across the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes since 1919.Find a boat rampThe lock is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.Our self-operated lock joins Lake Hartridge on the South Chain with Lake Conine on the North Chain, so boaters can travel the whole chain.How the lock worksBuilt and maintained by your districtRamps, docks, canals and eight water-control structures, kept open and safe by a crew of twelve.See our projects
40 lakes, 20 district ramps, who maintains each one and how to get there.
Today’s reading, the 30-day trend and the monthly averages, updated by district staff.
5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the District Offices. Agendas and budgets inside.
A navigation hazard, aquatic weeds, a damaged ramp or a lock question. Tell us and we will follow up.
Lock status: OPEN
Next board meeting
Days Hours Minutes
The meeting is under way or has just ended. The next date is on the Meetings page.
District Offices, 804 Avenue X SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. Meetings are open to the public.
Meeting dates and agendas
Get directions
Your district
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What we do
The district was created in 1919 by a special act of the Florida Legislature and is governed by three elected commissioners. Its work is set out in that act.
We construct and maintain the navigation canals and the lock that connect the lakes, and we mark hazards so boaters can travel the chain.
We protect water quality and control aquatic weeds and other lake pests across the district’s lakes and canals.
Eight water-control structures and the drainage canals help manage lake levels and aid flood control through wet and dry seasons.
Twenty public boat ramps built and maintained by the district, with more ramps and piers kept by the city and county.
Projects
The district crew replaced the public dock on Lake Elbert, pilings to decking.
A drainage ditch dug out and reshaped so water moves again after heavy rain.
Gates lifted, inspected and serviced so the Hartridge to Conine lock keeps running every day.
Who runs the district
Seat 2
Chairman
Seat 3
Vice-Chairman
Seat 1
Secretary
District Manager
A Winter Haven native with lifelong ties to our lakes, Travis leads the district office and its staff of twelve.
The lock between Lake Hartridge and Lake Conine is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. It is self-operated: follow the posted instructions at the gate. Call (863) 293-1441 with questions.
The district built and maintains 20 public ramps. Others on the chain belong to the City of Winter Haven or Polk County. The Boat Ramps and Lakes page lists every lake with its ramp, pier and owner.
Eight water-control structures and the drainage canals move water between lakes and downstream. Staff record the gauge reading daily and publish it on the Lake Levels page.
Use the Contact page and choose the topic that fits, or call (863) 293-1441. A photo and the lake name help the crew find it fast.
Yes. The board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the District Offices, 804 Avenue X SW, Winter Haven, and meetings are open to the public. If you decide to appeal a decision made at a meeting, Florida Statute 286.0105 requires a verbatim record of the proceedings, which you must arrange yourself.
Call the office at (863) 293-1441 on weekdays, or send a message and we will respond as quickly as we can.
