Lake Hancock Sediment Sampling

Polk County, Florida

Project Description/Services

Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. completed sediment sampling at over 170 locations on this 4550-acre lake using a piston tube-type sampler to obtain continuous sediment cores ranging from a few inches to 8 feet long. Sample locations were obtained using GPS equipment in real time, and data was input into a handheld computer. Sediment samples were tested for organic content and solids content, along with numerous other parameters. Bulk samples were also obtained and used for land-side testing of the consolidation behavior of the sediments, with and without flocculants.

The study included a review of previous engineering studies; a field program consisting of thickness determinations and sediment sampling within the lake, and an environmental/geotechnical evaluation of potential sites for use as confined disposal facilities (CDFs); laboratory testing of sediment samples to determine physical and chemical characteristics for dredging and storage purposes; analysis of dredging technologies to determine the most economical/feasible method to dredge; and process engineering to optimize consolidation of the sediments.