Lake Ella
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Lake Ella is a lake in north central Tallahassee on US 27 just south of Tharpe Street. Lake Ella has an area of 12 acres (48,562 sq. meters). Once used for cattle, it now has three fountains and is used for recreation, flood protection and stormwater pollution control.
[edit] Recreation
Lake Ella is attached to 6.5 acre Fred Drake Park. The park has picnic shelters, a site for community activities and a paved walking trail that completely encircles the lake. The lake is bordered on the west side by quaint little shops and cafes. One vendor is the Black Dog Cafe where joggers can get a cup of coffee for their morning run around the trail. Visitors can walk, skate, or skateboard around the lake.
Lake Ella has once hosted a group of Tibetan monks on their visit to Tallahassee. The monks walked around the lake with a large group of interested residents in tow, and later ate at McDonalds.
[edit] Stormwater control
In 1986 the Lake Ella went through extensive rehabilitation which included sediment removal, recontouring the shoreline, reducing the number of stormwater inflow pipes, and an automatic alum treatment system. Lake Ella receives stormwater runoff from an urban watershed that is approximately 157 acres (0.63 sq. km) in area. During a typical year the lake treats somewhere around 250 million gallons (946,352 cu. meters) of stormwater runoff. During normal water elevations the lake stores approximately 27 million gallons (102,206 cu. meters) of water. During excessive rain events the lake can store an additional 9 million gallons (34,068 cu. meters) of stormwater runoff. Pollutant treatment is obtained through an automated system that doses alum at six locations where stormwater enters the lake. The dose of alum is based on the volume of stormwater flow entering the lake. Alum, which is a substance used by some communities to treat their drinking water, mixes with incoming stormwater and causes pollutants to settle to the lake bottom. ouytc-9[y[08y0[vb
[edit] External links
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