Edward Medard Park and Reservoir

Edward Medard Park and Preserve, originally known as Pleasant Grove Reservoir Park, is located south of Plant City, Florida, on Turkey Creek Road in Hillsborough County, Florida. The 1,284-acre (5.20 km2) park just north of Durant, Florida was the site of phosphate mining in the 1960s by the American Cyanamid Company, before the land was donated (largely in 1969). A dike and 770-acre (3.1 km2) reservoir were created in 1970 to provide flood protection along the Alafia River. The lake has a very extensive and irregular shoreline, and great variation is found in the lake bottom as well. The park is maintained by the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, and has camping, picknicking, and other facilities. Three long piers offer the ability to launch fairly large vessels, although the lake has a no-wake restriction.[3] Additional opportunities for various sports and aquatic activities are available at the popular spot which attracts approximately 250,000 visitors a year.[4]

Edward Medard Reservoir
LocationPlant City, Hillsborough County, Florida
Coordinates27°55′52″N 82°10′08″W
Typereservoir
Basin countriesUnited States
Managing agencyHillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department
DesignationFisheries Management Area
Built1970
Surface area770 acres (3.1 km2)[1]
Average depth6.36 ft (1.94 m)
Max. depth21.48 ft (6.55 m)
Water volume1,474,561,838 US gallons (1.228 billion imperial gallons; 5.582 cubic hectometres)
Shore length1115,290 ft (35,140 m)[2]
Surface elevation58.52 ft (17.84 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Reconstruction and restocking

In the early 2000s, the Alafia Basin Board determined that the aging dam was a threat to downstream residents.[5] The lake was almost completely drained in 2010 and closed to fishing for three years due to reconstruction work designed to strengthen the dam and decrease erosion, as well as to add additional amenities including a new boardwalk and a new dock.[6] After the lake was drained, at the urging of state senator Ronda Storms, the tons of tilapia and catfish removed from the reservoir were filleted and distributed to America's Second Harvest, which provided the fillets to local charities to feed the hungry.[7] When the lake reopened in December 2012, it was designated a Fisheries Management Area (FMA) by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with special limits on the number and size of fish that could be taken, and with commercial fishing of tilapia, sailfin catfish, and armored catfish limited to Tuesday through Thursday. During the construction process, several artificial reefs were installed.[8] During this time, the lake was stocked with 1.2 million fingerling sportsfish, including a quarter-million Florida-strain largemouth bass, plus an additional 6,600 large fish that were relocated from area lakes in 2012.[9]

Features

The park also features a 40 feet tall observation tower overlooking the lake from the Northeast, 42 campsites, and a disc golf course. The park contains several trails, including both hiking and equestrian trails. Horses may be rented at the adjacent Turkey Creek Stables.[10] The park levies a $2.00 per vehicle entrance fee, a $5.00 boat launch fee, and a $25.00 canoe/kayak rental fee, with additional fees for camping.[11]

Vegetation

Floating leaf aquatic plants include American Lotus, Water Lettuce, Marsh pennywort, Water spangles, Common Duckweed, Giant Duckweed, and Water Hyacinth. A wide variety of emergent zone plants thrive here, including Wild Taro, Egyptian Paspalidium (watercrown grass), Laurel oak, Muscadine grape, Peruvian Primrose Willow, cattails and many more.[12]

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References
  1. "Edward Medard Reservoir". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  2. "Medard Reservoir" (PDF). 19 August 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  3. "Edward Medard Reservoir". Florida Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  4. Edward Medard Park and Preserve Southwest Florida Water Management District
  5. Zink, Janet (11 April 2003). "Problems run deep". St Pete Times. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  6. Wang, Stephanie (9 August 2012). "Visitors dwindle while fishing spot recovers at Plant City's Edward Medard Park". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. "Big bass are back in Edward Medard Reservoir". Florida Fish and Wildlife. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  8. Hammett, Yvette (6 May 2013). "Fish are back, with new rules at Medard Reservoir". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  9. "Big bass are back in Edward Medard Reservoir". Florida Fish and Wildlife. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  10. "Edward Medard Regional Park". Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  11. Wilkens, George (28 January 2012). "Medard Park reopens with fortified embankments, fish and fish habitat". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  12. "Medard Reservoir" (PDF). 19 August 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
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