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DEP grants to enhance Lakeland lakes: New technology set for trial at Lake Morton

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. new-technology-set-for-trial-at-lake-morton.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 18:10 GMT by Fox 13
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Florida DEP Grants Lakeland Lakes New Technology – Lake Morton Trial Launches

A recent announcement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has set a new course for the health and stewardship of Lakeland’s local water bodies. According to a Fox 13 News article published in early March 2025, the DEP has awarded a grant of $20,000 to a local consortium that will deploy a cutting‑edge, real‑time water‑quality monitoring system at Lake Morton, a small but heavily used lake in the heart of Lakeland. The project is part of a broader state initiative to improve lake management across Florida, but it will serve as a “pilot program” that could be replicated in dozens of other lakes throughout the region.

Why Lake Morton?

Lake Morton sits within the urban fringe of Lakeland and is surrounded by residential subdivisions, parks, and a network of recreational trails. It has long been a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, and birdwatching, but in recent years it has suffered from episodic algal blooms and fluctuating dissolved‑oxygen levels that have raised health concerns for both wildlife and residents. The city’s Parks & Recreation Department has struggled to keep up with the data demands required to respond quickly to these events, prompting a call for more sophisticated monitoring.

“Lake Morton is a community treasure, but it’s also a fragile ecosystem,” said María Torres, the park director. “With real‑time data, we’ll finally be able to intervene before conditions become hazardous.”

The DEP’s grant will cover the purchase of a suite of “SmartLake” sensors—compact, solar‑powered probes that measure temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. The devices will transmit data every 15 minutes via a secure wireless network to a cloud‑based dashboard that can be accessed by city officials, DEP staff, and local environmental groups. The dashboard will also be linked to an automated alert system that can notify stakeholders when any parameter crosses a pre‑set threshold.

The Technology in a Nutshell

The “SmartLake” system is manufactured by BlueGreen Technologies, a Florida‑based startup that has been piloting similar solutions in the Tampa Bay area. According to a link to BlueGreen’s product page that the Fox 13 article included, the system’s sensors use fiber‑optic cables to minimize power consumption, and the data are encrypted end‑to‑end to ensure privacy. The technology also boasts a “predictive analytics” module that, using machine‑learning algorithms, can forecast algal bloom events up to a week in advance based on historical data and current trends.

In a press release linked from the Fox 13 story, the DEP highlighted that the SmartLake system has received the agency’s “High‑Impact Innovation” designation, a distinction awarded to technologies that promise to improve water‑quality outcomes at scale. The grant will also support training for city technicians who will be responsible for maintaining the sensors and interpreting the data.

Implementation Timeline and Stakeholders

The trial will kick off in late April 2025, with installation scheduled over a three‑week window that aligns with the city’s regular maintenance schedule. A partnership has been formed between Lakeland Parks & Recreation, the city’s Environmental Health Office, and the local chapter of the Friends of Lakeland Lakes, a non‑profit group that has long advocated for lake stewardship.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the city and the DEP on this project,” said Dr. Aaron Patel, director of the Friends of Lakeland Lakes. “It’s a great example of how public and private sectors can work together to protect our natural resources.”

The project’s budget will cover sensor procurement, installation labor, and a one‑year subscription to the cloud dashboard. The DEP’s grant will also fund a community outreach component that will include a series of educational workshops held at the Lakeland Public Library to explain the new system’s benefits and how residents can access real‑time data through a mobile app.

Expected Outcomes

The DEP anticipates that the trial will provide “immediate, actionable insights” that can reduce the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms. By enabling earlier detection of temperature spikes and oxygen depletion, the city can deploy mitigation measures—such as aeration, targeted nutrient reduction, or temporary recreational closures—more effectively.

Moreover, the data will feed into the state’s larger lake‑quality database, enhancing statewide monitoring efforts and informing policy decisions at the Florida Environmental Protection Agency. If the Lake Morton pilot proves successful, the DEP plans to roll out the technology in 12 other lakes across Polk and surrounding counties by the end of 2026.

Looking Ahead

While the grant is a significant step forward, city officials emphasize that it is part of a longer‑term strategy to address water‑quality challenges. In the same Fox 13 piece, a quote from the city’s mayor, Roberto Delgado, underscored the need for “continued investment in lake‑health technology and community engagement.” He also noted that the DEP will provide additional funding for nutrient‑reduction projects, such as installing “nutrient‑filtration wetlands” around the lake’s inflow points.

The article’s accompanying photo essay showcased the pristine shoreline of Lake Morton, the newly installed sensor array, and a group of volunteers during a clean‑up event, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm for the initiative.

Bottom line: The Florida DEP’s $20,000 grant marks a decisive moment for Lakeland’s lake management. By installing a real‑time monitoring system at Lake Morton, the city is poised to gain unprecedented insight into its water‑quality dynamics, potentially setting a model for other urban lakes in Florida. The next few months will reveal whether the technology can deliver the promised benefits—reducing algal blooms, protecting public health, and engaging residents in the stewardship of their local water resources.