Rainfall during 2019 and 2020 was above average, with 68 and 58 inches respectively. This has led to higher water levels on Crooked Lake. At the end of April 2021, the gauge at Bob’s Landing read 118.70 feet NAVD88, which is approximately 0.3 feet higher than the same time last year.
Water levels could increase to similar levels as last summer if we receive similar amounts of rainfall.
Water from Crooked Lake can flow to Lake Clinch when the lake is above approximately 119 feet NAVD88. The canal to Lake Clinch remains relatively open since Polk County staff performed vegetative clearing along the canal in 2019.
Staff from the Southwest Florida Water Management District collected flow rate measurements from the canal in 2019 and 2020, which indicate that the canal is flowing at a comparable rate to the 1940s and 50s.