- Lake Ella
Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Ella
image_lake = 06-09-29_LkElla.jpg
caption_lake = One of the fountains (September 2006)
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location =Tallahassee, Florida
coords = coord|30|27|40|N|084|16|46|W|region:US-FL_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title
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basin_countries = United States
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area = convert|12|acre|abbr=on
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frozen =Lake Ella is a
lake in north centralTallahassee, Florida on US 27 just south of Tharpe Street. Lake Ella has an area of 12 acres (49,000 m²). Once used for cattle, it now has three fountains and is used for recreation, flood protection and stormwater pollution control.History
Lake Ella was originally called Bull pond (sometimes spelled Buhl). Records for this name date back as far as 1867 when some local black churches held baptisms in its clear waters. In 1867 some 2000 "freedmen" gathered there for a day-long political rally.
In the early 20th century Lake Ella became part of the "Old Spanish Trail", a coast-to-coast highway extending from San Diego to St. Augustine, Fl. This was one of a network of named roads, so named to promote tourism.
On the west bank of the lake are several cottages that were once part of the Tallahassee Motor Hotel, a hotel opened by Gilbert S. Chandler in 1925 to cater to this tourist trade. Around the same time the lake was renamed from Bull Pond to Lake Ella. [ [http://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=282&Itemid=87 Tallahassee Magazine - The Many Lives of Lake Ella] ]
These cottages were once used as lakefront honeymoon rooms but are now occupied by local businesses including Lofty Pursuits, a toy store, and Quarter Moon Imports, a clothing, art and jewelry store. [ [http://www.loftypursuits.com/lakeella.html List of stores at Lake Ella] ]
On the north shore of the lake is American Legion Post 13. The same building also contains the Black Dog Cafe. [ [http://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=282&Itemid=87 Tallahassee Magazine - The Many Lives of Lake Ella] ]
Recreation
Lake Ella is incorporated into the 6.5 acre (26,000 m²) Fred Drake Park. The park has picnic shelters, a site for community activities and a paved walking trail that completely encircles the lake. It is bordered on the west by quaint little shops and cafes. Visitors can walk, skate, or skateboard the sixth-tenths of a mile around the lake.
Lake Ella 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 .Stormwater control
In 1986, Lake Ella underwent extensive rehabilitation including sediment removal, reshaping of the shoreline, reducing the number of
stormwater inflow pipes, and installation of an automatic alum treatment system. Lake Ella receives stormwater runoff from an urban watershed that is approximately 157 acres (635,000 m²) in area. During a typical year the lake treats somewhere around 250 million gallons (946,352 cu. m) of stormwater runoff. During normal water elevations the lake stores approximately 27 million gallons (102,206 cu. m) of water. During excessive rain events the lake can store an additional 9 million gallons (34,068 cu. m). Pollutant treatment is obtained through an automated system that dosesalum at six locations based on the volume of stormwater entering the lake. Alum, which is a substance used by some communities to treat drinking water, mixes with incoming stormwater and causes pollutants to settle to the lake bottom.Lake Ella sometimes floods after severe storms, which can cause the surrounding roads to be closed for a few days.
References
External links
* [http://www.talgov.com/stormwater/lakeella.cfm Lake Ella @ Talgov.com]
* [http://www.pbase.com/sir_erik/lake_ella_tallahasee_florida Richard Devine Photos at Lake Ella]
*Gnis|305630
* [http://www.loftypursuits.com/lakeella.html A list of the shops at Lake Ella]
* [http://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=282&Itemid=87 History of Lake Ella]
* [http://www.talgov.com/stormwater/lakeella.cfm City of Tallahassee Public Works page on Lake Ella]
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