William E. Johnson

Drawdown Response of a Hypereutrophic Florida Lake

A drawdown of Lake Carlton was conducted to evaluate complete dewatering as a method for rehabilitation of a severely eutrophic lake. The water level was lowered 4.1 m exposing 80.7% of the bottom (29.4% sand and 51.3% organic sediments). Substantial germination and growth of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation occurred on the exposed bottom. Following refill a layer of consolidated sediments persisted over most of the area where organic sediments had been exposed. Most new vegetation was established at too great a water depth and died. A net gain in area covered by rooted aquatic...