Big Gant Lake, located in southeast Sumter County, covers an area of 93 acres. The lake has been impacted by decades of water level stabilization and agricultural runoff resulting in significant organic sediment accumulation. Consequently, the lake has suffered several oxygen-related fish kills and loss of recreational usage. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) intend to enhance the aquatic habitat at Gant Lake by dredging approximately 1.0 Million cubic yard of organic sediment and disposal in a Confined Disposal Facility.

Ardaman provided all geotechnical engineering services related to the project. Phase I geotechnical work included:

• GIS database support for accessing historical aerial images of Gant Lake
• Field Investigation including performance of depth soundings for estimating sediment volume
• Field sampling including collection of sediment and lake water samples for laboratory testing
• In-situ measurement of lake water quality
• Laboratory testing program for physical characterization of sediments
• Evaluating dredge disposal alternatives
• Preliminary design of CDF configuration
• Assistance with CDF site selection