News Summary
The Leon County Commission is set to review the Lake Munson Action Plan, reflecting on the outcomes of a lake drawdown aimed at addressing ecological concerns. The meeting scheduled for Tuesday will update the community on restoration efforts following issues with invasive species and harmful algal blooms. Despite progress, a health advisory has been issued due to harmful blue-green algae detected in the lake. Discussions have also arisen regarding transparency in pollution prevention measures post-sewage spills. Community members remember local advocate Glenna Jo Kester’s contributions to ecological preservation as the commission explores future steps.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Leon County Commission is set to review the progress of the Lake Munson Action Plan during a meeting on Tuesday, June 10, at 3:00 p.m. This status update comes as the county reflects on the outcomes of a significant lake drawdown that was initiated to address ecological concerns.
The Lake Munson Action Plan, which was first approved by the Board on October 11, 2022, received modifications on March 21, 2023. This strategic action was taken to mitigate ecological challenges that arose in summer 2022, specifically the rapid proliferation of invasive species and harmful algal blooms that posed risks to water quality and local ecosystems. A year following the conclusion of the drawdown, which started in November 2022 and finished on May 17, 2024, the meeting will focus on the current status of the lake and actions moving forward.
During the drawdown, which was ordered by the Board on April 9, 2023, water levels in Lake Munson were strategically lowered to facilitate drying and sediment stabilization. The gates on the lake’s dam were closed incrementally according to recommendations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), allowing for a controlled and slow refill process that began once the drawdown was complete. This method was employed to prevent ecosystem shock and to enable aquatic vegetation to adapt, which also allowed non-adaptive plant species to die off gradually without leading to total plant death or harmful algal blooms.
Monitoring of the refilling process is currently being conducted by the county in collaboration with FWC, especially in anticipation of significant rainfall events. This careful management approach aims to encourage the recovery and reestablishment of native plant species, contributing positively to the lake’s ecological health. As part of this initiative, the FWC had plans to restock fish in Lake Munson in the fall of 2024; however, this has been postponed due to the lake’s low water levels. County officials are working with FWC to establish a new timeline for the fish restocking.
Despite the efforts to rehabilitate Lake Munson, a health caution advisory has been issued by the Florida Department of Health due to the detection of potentially harmful blue-green algal blooms in a water sample taken on May 5. The public is advised to take necessary precautions when interacting with the lake, particularly to avoid exposure to the algae, which can carry health risks.
In addition to concerns surrounding algal blooms, community discussions have also highlighted apprehension regarding past sewage spills that have impacted Lake Munson. Residents have raised questions about the measures being taken to prevent any future pollution incidents, emphasizing the need for transparency in the ongoing restoration efforts.
The efforts to restore Lake Munson gained additional significance with the recent passing of Glenna Jo Kester, a noted advocate for the lake’s ecological preservation. Kester’s contributions to the discussion surrounding Lake Munson’s future were pivotal and will be fondly remembered by community members and environmental stakeholders.
The upcoming Commission meeting on June 10 will serve as an important platform for leaders to discuss progress made under the Lake Munson Action Plan and outline further steps to ensure the health and well-being of this vital body of water in Leon County.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Reports: Leon County to Get Lake Munson Update
- Wikipedia: Lake Munson
- The Famuan: Lake Munson’s Delayed Recovery
- Google Search: Lake Munson Florida
- Tallahassee.com: Glenna Jo Kester and Lake Munson’s Challenges
- Google Scholar: Lake Munson Ecology
- Tallahassee.com: Leon County Projects Funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lake Ecosystems
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
