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Council hears review of Lake 8 and 9 dredging; staff, engineers and residents disagree on further work
Summary
After staff confirmed post‑dredge surveys met the permit removal targets for Lake 8, neighbors and an independent reviewer urged further analysis before final closeout. Council asked staff to review contractual and permitting records and return with next steps.
The City Council on Sept. 24 heard extended public and expert testimony about recent dredging work at Lakes 8 and 9, part of the city’s stormwater/lake‑restoration program tied to Gulf Shore Boulevard outfall improvements. The discussion followed a Sept. 3 council decision that authorized a contract amendment to cover additional hauling costs after contractors reported higher than‑expected hauling expenses.
What staff said: Public Works Director Bob Middleton and consultant WSP project manager Greg Corning told council the project’s post‑dredge bathymetric surveys for North Lake matched the previously permitted target elevations and that the volume removed closely matched the volume estimate in the city’s permit from the South Florida Water Management District. Corning explained the survey methodology used in the design (a USACE manual‑probe style bathymetry that seeks consolidated bottom) and said hydrographic soundings can overstate unconsolidated, recently‑disturbed surface material. He said the primary project objective — restore lake sediment profile to…
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