The lock is open today, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next board meeting: Wednesday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Boat ramp finder

40 lakes, 20 district ramps, who maintains each one and how to get there.

Lake levels

Today's reading, the 30-day trend and the monthly averages, updated by district staff.

Next board meeting

5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the District Offices. Agendas and budgets inside.

Report a problem

A navigation hazard, aquatic weeds, a damaged ramp or a lock question. Tell us and we will follow up.

Lock status: OPEN

The lock between Lake Hartridge and Lake Conine

Next board meeting

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Days
Hours
Minutes
The meeting is under way or has just ended. The next date is on the Meetings page.

District Offices, 804 Avenue X SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880. Meetings are open to the public.

Your district

The Chain of Lakes by the numbers

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lakes

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navigable canals

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public boat ramps

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water-control structures

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square miles

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years of service, since 1919

What we do

Keeping the chain navigable, healthy and safe

The district was created in 1919 by a special act of the Florida Legislature and is governed by three elected commissioners. Its work is set out in that act.

Safe, convenient navigation

We construct and maintain the navigation canals and the lock that connect the lakes, and we mark hazards so boaters can travel the chain.

Water quality and lake pests

We protect water quality and control aquatic weeds and other lake pests across the district's lakes and canals.

Flood control and lake levels

Eight water-control structures and the drainage canals help manage lake levels and aid flood control through wet and dry seasons.

Boat ramps and launching basins

Twenty public boat ramps built and maintained by the district, with more ramps and piers kept by the city and county.

Projects

Work on the water, from canals to docks

District crew rebuilding a dock beneath cypress trees

Lake Elbert dock rebuilt

The district crew replaced the public dock on Lake Elbert, pilings to decking.

A cleared drainage ditch after district maintenance

Lake Mariam ditch cleared

A drainage ditch dug out and reshaped so water moves again after heavy rain.

District crew servicing a lock gate with a hoist

Lock gate service

Gates lifted, inspected and serviced so the Hartridge to Conine lock keeps running every day.

Who runs the district

Three elected commissioners and a working crew

Portrait of Stephen Enzor, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners

Seat 2

Stephen Enzor

Chairman

Portrait of Carter Adams, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Commissioners

Seat 3

Carter Adams

Vice-Chairman

Portrait of Dr. Kevin Henne, Secretary of the Board of Commissioners

Seat 1

Dr. Kevin Henne

Secretary

Travis Voisard, District Manager

District Manager

Travis Voisard

A Winter Haven native with lifelong ties to our lakes, Travis leads the district office and its staff of twelve.

Questions boaters and neighbors ask

The lock between Lake Hartridge and Lake Conine is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. It is self-operated: follow the posted instructions at the gate. Call (863) 293-1441 with questions.

The district built and maintains 20 public ramps. Others on the chain belong to the City of Winter Haven or Polk County. The Boat Ramps and Lakes page lists every lake with its ramp, pier and owner.

Eight water-control structures and the drainage canals move water between lakes and downstream. Staff record the gauge reading daily and publish it on the Lake Levels page.

Use the Contact page and choose the topic that fits, or call (863) 293-1441. A photo and the lake name help the crew find it fast.

Yes. The board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the District Offices, 804 Avenue X SW, Winter Haven, and meetings are open to the public. If you decide to appeal a decision made at a meeting, Florida Statute 286.0105 requires a verbatim record of the proceedings, which you must arrange yourself.

Have a question about your lake?

Call the office at (863) 293-1441 on weekdays, or send a message and we will respond as quickly as we can.